Volkswagen has often been a recognizable brand with the VW Beetle and the classic VW van. Today’s models are sophisticated and offer versatility and comfort, but they still honor the VW tradition. This brand has come a long way from its roots while creating a solid reputation for innovation and distinct design.Volkswagen is known as VW and was founded in 1937 in Germany by the German Labour Front. Headquarters began in Wolfsburg and was the largest automaker in 2016 and 2017 with the main market being in China. The name is translated to mean people’s car, which it utilizes in its marketing.
The company was formed to develop the people’s car because at the time, only the most elite Germans could afford this mode of transportation. Once VW was formed, it focused on developing a car that was more affordable, and the round shape and rear-mounted engine of the Beetle was born.
Many other automotive manufacturers criticized the car, saying it would never be popular. However, Volkswagen was able to prove the critics wrong. In 1949, VW vehicles came to the US with Canada seeing them in 1952. Volkswagen of America was founded in 1955 to handle sales and service in the US with production increasing over the years to reach one million that same year.
By the 1960s, the Beetle became associated with a younger, hipper car buyer as advertising indicated. By 1972, this model overtook the Ford Model T to become the most produced single make vehicle in automotive history. A year later, production reached more than 16 million.Volkswagen decided to expand the product line in 1961 with four other models under the Type 3 category. Just a short eight years later, the Type 4 was introduced. This group was quite different from earlier models with an electronic fuel injection and an automatic transmission.
In 1964, VW decided to follow other manufacturers and acquired Audi to build a luxury brand, such as Ford had done with Lincoln. Volkswagen utilized some of the Audi technology to develop a new line of vehicles, which would pave the way for the Golf, Passat and other models. Once the Golf was introduced, production of the Beetle came to an end in 1974.
The Golf would become the signature model for VW during the 1990s with variations being developed. The sedan version of this model became known as the Jetta in the US. It was also during this decade that Volkswagen resurrected the Beetle as the New Beetle. After a decline in US sales for several years, the early 2000s saw an increase in models sold for VW. In recent years, the company has turned to a focus on electric models. The goal is to have an electric version of every model by 2030.
Models Today
Today, Volkswagen offers a combination of sedans, compact cars and SUVs for customers. The popular Golf, Passat and Tiguan are still in production for loyal followers and new customers. Other more recent models include the Arteon sedan, the Atlas SUV, and the ID.4 SUV.
To find out more about the latest VW models, visit Volkswagen of Inver Grove.