Have you ever wondered what the history of Europe’s largest automobile maker is? The German made car, Volkswagen, surprisingly has some interesting roots as to how it got to where it is today. The VW has become one of the most beloved cars in the entire world.
The History of the German Automobile, VW
At first it might shock you, but in 1933 during World War II Ferdinand Porsche, a car designer, met with Adolph Hitler. Adolph Hitler was the original man behind the Volkswagen concept, mainly because he wanted a car that could meet his needs. Hitler believed that a car that could seat 5 different people, travel at speeds of about 60 miles per hour, and get good gas mileage (30-35 mpg) would be a great seller. We all know what Adolf Hitler is known for, but his original idea of the automobile has changed the car concept forever.
When Ferdinand Porsche met with Hitler he began working on the idea and designed the Type 60 Volkswagen, also known as the Version 1 (V1). Then they developed the V2, followed by the VW30’s (or VW3’s). Between Hitler and Porsche the automobile has came a long way. From the Volkswagen Jeep that was used in Germany to the land or water vehicle called the Schwimmwagen, Volkswagen has changed the way we look at vehicles, forever. If you would like more information about the Volkswagen History visit http://people.westminstercollege.edu/staff/bknorr/html/history.htm and view all of the concepts and how the VW Company was built from the ground up.
Volkswagen Now
Most of the time when you think of a Volkswagen, you think of either the older Beetle or the new re-designed beetle, right? However, since the Volkswagen Beetle there has been amazing concepts and cars hauled into production. Probably one of the most popular Volkswagen vehicles, besides the Beetle, was the VW Van. Often times this vehicle is referred to the 70’s and other types of “hippie” people. The Volkswagen van was an amazing change in the hearts of Americans because it truly was the first mini van that allowed people to travel in comfort. The Volkswagen Kombi (also known as the camper van) is a true work of German ingenuity and craftsmanship.
What the Future Holds for VW
VW is always looking to continue its proud standing all over the world. They want to be at the forefront of the new era, and they are always looking to make changes. Currently they are looking at how to make the automobile more afforable, without compromising quality. With a new trend of great automobiles under $20,000. There is a reason VW has an amazing cult following. They cannot wait to expand that following. With the release of new, cutting edge models by the end of this decade, VW looks like they are on pace to accomplish just that.
From Beetle, to Kombi, to the Touareg Volkswagen has moved from Europe to America and is one of the most successful automobile companies in the world. If you want to look at a vehicle manufacturer that has stood the test of time, Volkswagen is definitely one of them. If you would like to find more information on the Volkswagen Company you can go to http://www.vw.com for more information.
