The history of Volkswagen: the story of how a popular brand went global

2023 Author: Charles Youmans | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-20 18:41

Volkswagen is based in Wolfsburg. At the moment, the automaker is the largest car manufacturer in the world. The production is aimed at the manufacture of commercial and passenger cars, vans and trucks. In addition, the list includes auto parts.

The beginning of the path of one of the largest corporations

The history of Volkswagen begins in the 1930s. Then the German manufacturer was interested in the production of high-quality and expensive cars. At that time, the economic situation in the country did not allow the average German to buy anything more than a motorcycle. It is worth saying that, unlike most well-known brands, this brand immediately started with the production of modern cars, including the Mercedes 170H, Adler AutoBach, Steyr 55 and Hanomag 1.3.

At the same time, the famous engineer Ferdinand Porsche is working on a small vehicle that would appear before the Germans as a family car. Porsche denied the possibility of using old developments, where simple cars inherited some of the construction and design of more expensive brothers. One of the main goals was to create a completely new design.

In 1931 he manages to create a completely new car, which gets the name Volkauto, where the first part literally translates as "people". The developments used by Porsche were almost in the air, so these ideas were quickly intercepted by other manufacturers, but some of them still remained unique. At the rear of the structure is an air-cooled engine, torsion bar suspension and a rounded body for added aerodynamics.

Two years later, Hitler is demanding the creation of a cheap car that would be designed for two adults and three children. An important parameter was the maximum speed, reaching 100 km / h according to the plan. At the same time, the price should remain at an affordable level - 990 Reichsmarks, or about $ 396. Thus, the cost should be affordable. Approximately the same scheme had already been developed in the United States, so Hitler was interested in a similar project. However, the pressure did not give the desired result. The factories were privately owned, which could not afford such a low price. As a result, Hitler decides to create a completely new plant, which in the future will use the developments of Porsche.

Prototypes appeared in 1936. They retained the body shape, air cooling, and engine placement. At the moment, the Volks prefix is used for all products manufactured for the public. A year later, on May 28, the Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH company appears, later renamed Volkswagenwerk GmbH.

Car factories during World War II

The plant in Wolfsburg began construction only in 1938, and when the first hostilities began in 1939, only a few cars left the assembly line. As a result, all the plant's capacities were directed towards the production of military vehicles. A striking example is the "car-tub".

At this time, the Volkswagen brand was born. During the war, the factory employed more than 15,000 prisoners who were paid only for food. Only in 1998 did Germany officially recognize this fact, in connection with which a voluntary restorative fund was created.

Like most factories, during the war, the plant often found itself in the bombing zone, and after that it fell into the British occupation zone. The latter organized service stations for military equipment and repair shops. At that time, a law comes into force, which obliges to demolish all factories in connection with the production of military equipment and the use of slave labor. But, one of the officers of the British army showed a sketch of the car being produced at the headquarters of the British army. The commanders liked the car so much that it was decided to postpone the demolition, and the assembly of a new car began on the site. Ultimately, more than 20,000 copies were produced, which saved the life of a Volkswagen car.

By 1946, production had increased to 1,000 vehicles per month. However, the plant continued to operate in an emergency condition. British businessman William Roots, who was directly associated with the automotive industry, assured that the plant was working on its last legs, predicting the popularity of the model for another two years. Ironically, even after the brand abandoned this car, it continued to be successfully produced in Argentina.

In 1948, Volkswagen reviews spread in the vein of a "symbol of the restoration of Germany." Volkswagen's lineup is being replenished with a new car - Type 2, which is equipped with a 1.2-liter air-cooled subcompact engine at the rear. In 1965, the car will receive a cargo "successor" with the ability to pull 1,000 kg, instead of the engine used, a 1.5-liter power unit is installed.

Post-war period, restoration and expansion of the range

In 1949, the brand manages to enter the world market by introducing its cars to the US market. The company aspired to become one of the best-selling brands in the foreign market. For this, steps were taken to standardize and maintain. And in 1955 the new Karmann Ghia coupe appeared. At this time, there is an increase in the standard of living of the population, so the demand for this car exceeds even the legendary Beetle. At this point, the management signs a merger agreement with Karmann, a body company, and they, in turn, turn to the Italian company Ghia for support.

As a result, we managed to create a truly people's car. A prototype car was presented to the general public at the 1953 Paris Motor Show. Even then it became clear that the vehicle caused a stir. The expectations were not in vain, over 10,000 copies were sold during the year. The positioning of the car as a city car with a stylish design and practical body, and not as a car for the elite, probably played a big role. The Volkswagen engine was rated at 60 hp. with a volume of 1,584 cubic meters. see In 1957, a convertible is released, which in 1961 is undergoing restyling, changing the radiator grille and the shape of the headlights.

Brand innovations and expansions - the revolution of the 60s

In the 60s, the car brand again takes up experiments and releases a new type of vehicle - a monocoque, which allows you to optionally install an automatic transmission, electric fuel injection and expands the capabilities of the engine range. In the 71st year, the car acquires a modern MacPherson-type suspension, which replaces the classic torsion bar.

At the same time, negotiations are underway with Auto Union and NSU Motorenwerke AG, which Volkswagen takes "under its wing" and organizes a division of Audi, which will later be engaged in the production of luxury cars. This deal will become a landmark in the history of the automotive industry. Joint efforts allow replenishing the base of technical developments, including the appearance of air-cooled engines.

Improvement of technologies of other brands inevitably led to a decrease in the popularity of the people's car Beetle (Volkswagen Beetle). As a result, the niche was completely unoccupied and it was necessary to make an emergency decision. As a result, Audi and Auto Union technologies have led to the creation of several models that will become iconic in the future. We are talking about Passat, Scirocco, Golf and Polo.

The first was the Volkswagen Passat, which "grew up" on the basis of the Audi 80. The "donor" shared some body elements and mechanical equipment. The first lineup featured a two-door and four-door sedan, followed by three- and five-door modifications. Under the hood were two engines of 1, 3 and 1.5 liters with 55 and 75 hp. Volkswagen diesel appeared on the market only in 1978.

Creation of iconic models that determined further development

The fans of the brand will remember the spring of 1974 with the release of Scirocco. The peculiarity of the model was in its special appearance, to which Giargetto Dujaro himself had a hand. The car became a single platform with Golf and Pocket, since VW's capacity did not allow for maximum production expansion. Volkswagen Golf, which appeared in 1974, played a key role in the development of the brand. The front-wheel-drive hatchback is water-cooled and has a front-engine layout. It took several months for the novelty to become the bestseller in the segment and the second best-selling car in the world. In 2012, 29 million units were sold.

In the initial version, the model was launched in the form of a three-door hatchback, later a full-fledged five-door appeared, in 1993 a station wagon came out, in the 79th convertible, the same body was received by the model in 2011. In addition, the Volkswagen Jetta sedan was released, which was the signal for the termination of the Beetle in 2003. As a result, the history of the brand spans seven generations, including hybrid and electric versions. Special attention in history is paid to the appearance of the Volkswagen Polo in 1975. It will later be converted to Derby. As a result, the emergence of all these models allowed the brand to establish itself as the largest manufacturer and lay the foundation for successful sales.

Development of the company in the 80s

In the 80s, the company was going through hard times. Sales in the United States and Canada declined as industries in these countries reached a new level and local manufacturers could compete not only in quality, but also in price of their cars. With all of its shipping costs, VW could no longer afford to lead the segment. As a result, the brand decides to go to other markets, so in the 82nd year a contract was signed with Seat. The gradual share buyback allowed VW to take over the company by 1990.

In 1991, the production of a new generation Golf starts, which enters the European market. In 1994, representatives of the company presented an absolute novelty, the new Concept One concept car, which was designed by J Mays. The car drew positive criticism, which made it possible to soon start mass production.

Brand development in Russia - 1993

The first division appeared in Russia in 1993. The official representation of the brand was eventually transformed into Volkswagen Group Automobile LLC. His responsibilities included servicing German cars and supplying spare parts in the Russian Federation. Four years later, a single importing company appeared, which undertook delivery obligations. In 1995, the Volkswagen Sharan wagon with increased capacity appears.

In 2007, they managed to conclude an agreement with the Kaluga Region, where Volkswagen opens its own plant, where it is setting up full-cycle production for the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Octavia models. Three years later, the plant will celebrate the 200,000th car and move on to assembling the Polo Sedan from VW and Fabia from Skoda. Already in 2008, the Nizhny Novgorod GAZ Group joined the creation of cars of this brand.

At the moment, cars are in great demand among the population of Russia. In 2012, the millionth car was sold, and the Kaluga enterprise produced the 500,000th copy. In the same year, the company gives an assignment to build its own engine manufacturing facility. Thus, the characteristics of Volkswagen for the Russian user should be expanded.

In 1998, a completely new car for the city of Lupo appears, which was supposed to fill a gap in the brand's lineup. As a result, two Volkswagen configurations came to the market - Sport and GTI. A year later, an assembly with a 3.0-liter diesel engine was brought to the market, which could travel 100 kilometers with a consumption of only 3.0 liters. It was a real breakthrough at the time.

Modern production - present

Since 2000, Volkswagen has made many decisions to match today's leading brands. At the moment, he is one of the leading suppliers of minibuses, which began to roll off the assembly line in 2002. At the moment, more than 8.5 million Volkswagen Transporter vehicles have been produced.

The company has spread its production facilities all over the world. Minibuses begin to appear in Mexico, where their own production is established. At the moment, the declared Transporter, Volkswagen Multiven, Volkswagen Karavella and California are being produced there.

In 2003, they set up production of the Touran minivan, which stood on the platform of the fifth Golf and Convertible. A year earlier, the latter was discontinued, but instead a Volkswagen Phaeton appeared, as well as an SUV Volkswagen Tuareg. In 2004, the manufacturer updates the lineup with the appearance of Volkswagen Cuddy and Polo Fan minivans.

In 2015, a new plant appears in Kaluga, which is responsible for the production of naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter engines. In 2018, production of the third generation of Tuareg starts. At the moment, the lineup includes a huge number of models that have filled all niches, including the popular Volkswagen Amarok and Volkswagen Terramont models.