Volkswagen

Volkswagen was founded in 1905.

In 1933, Ferdinand Porsche designed the 'Volksauto', a small car with an air-cooled rear engine, torsion bar suspension, and a distinctive 'beetle' shape. This design laid the foundation for the iconic Volkswagen Beetle.

In 1934, Adolf Hitler ordered the production of a basic vehicle known as the 'People's Car' that every German family could afford. The car was to be available through a savings plan, but due to cost issues, a state-owned factory was sponsored to produce the vehicle.

On May 28, 1937, the government of Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, established a state-owned automobile company known as Volkswagen. The company aimed to produce an affordable car for the masses, with Ferdinand Porsche as the designer. Despite interruptions due to World War II, Volkswagen became a significant player in the automotive industry.

Directors of Volkswagenwerk GmbH and staff from Porsche KG travel to Detroit to learn Ford's mass production methods and purchase American machinery.

Alpine trials of four W30 vehicles start, covering a 7,000 km route and revealing the need for improvements in carburettor, brakes, and gearbox.

An extraordinary shareholders’ meeting amends the company's articles to focus on the planning and technical development of the German People’s Car, without the aim of making profits.

Construction work begins at the site in Wolfsburg, with workers housed in communal work camps. A separate outworks for tool production and staff training is also under construction.

The German Labour Front stages a grand ceremony at the Volkswagen plant, where Adolf Hitler names the car 'KdF-Wagen' and presents three vehicle variants.

The KdF-Wagen is publicly launched at the International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition in Berlin, showcasing the vehicle to journalists and the public.

The company's share capital is increased significantly, and its name is changed to Volkswagenwerk GmbH. The purpose of the company is to manufacture the Volkswagen (People's Car) and other products for the German economy.

Volkswagenwerk GmbH begins mass production of the VW 82 Kübelwagen military utility vehicle at the main plant, shifting focus from civilian vehicles to military production during World War II.

Armaments Minister Albert Speer convinces Hitler to assign passenger car production exclusively to Volkswagenwerk GmbH. This decision leads to the company taking a significant role in German car manufacturing.

The first of 41 KdF-Wagen vehicles is produced, with a photo taken later to create the illusion of mass production after a potential German victory. These vehicles are later acquired by the Nazi elite.

The British Military Government instructs Volkswagen to produce 20,000 Volkswagen saloons during the occupation period. Major Ivan Hirst assumes the position of Senior Resident Officer at the British controlled factory.

Heinrich Nordhoff, a former senior manager at Opel, was recruited in 1948 to run the Volkswagen factory, overseeing the production of vehicles and implementing significant changes.

The iconic Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle was first exhibited and sold in the United States in 1949, marking the beginning of its presence in the American market.

By 1955, Volkswagen had produced one million units of the iconic Type II van, showcasing its rapid global popularity and success.

Volkswagen acquired Auto Union in 1964 and NSU in 1969, leading to the creation of the modern Audi company. This acquisition provided VW with the technological expertise needed to transition when demand for air-cooled models declined.

Volkswagen introduced the 'Super Beetle' (Type 131) in 1971, featuring a MacPherson strut front suspension and other design changes from the standard Beetle. It marked a significant update in the Beetle lineup.

On February 17, 1972, the 15,007,034th Beetle was sold, allowing Volkswagen to claim the world production record for the most-produced single make of car in history.

In 1973, Volkswagen introduced the Passat (known as Dasher in the US) as a fastback version of the Audi 80, sharing many body and mechanical parts. The estate/wagon versions of the Passat dominated market share in Europe for many years.

On March 29, 1974, Volkswagen started series production of the Golf in Wolfsburg, marking the beginning of a successful era for the company.

In 1975, Volkswagen introduced the Polo, which was a re-badged version of the Audi 50. The Polo later became the base for the Volkswagen Derby, a three-box design that continued until 1985.

In 1979, Terry Lister and Keith Bradshaw established the first Listers Volkswagen Dealership in Coventry.

Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf, which was named European Car of the Year for 1992.

Volkswagen unveiled the Next-Generation Beetle concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan in 1994, capitalizing on the public's nostalgia for the iconic Beetle model.

Volkswagen launched the Sharan in Europe through a joint venture with Ford, resulting in the Ford Galaxy and SEAT Alhambra.

Volkswagen introduced the Golf Mk4 at the end of 1997, which spawned various other cars within the Volkswagen Group.

In 1999, Volkswagen's Type 1 'Beetle' model was named the fourth most influential car of the 20th century in the Car of the Century competition, following the Ford Model T, BMC Mini, and Citroën DS.

Bernd Pischetsrieder became Volkswagen Group CEO in 2002, leading to the introduction of new models.

Volkswagen announced the introduction of the new vehicle called the Tiguan, a compact SUV with styling influences from the 'Concept A' concept vehicle.

In 2010, Volkswagen achieved record sales of 6.29 million vehicles, with a global market share of 11.4%.

Volkswagen completed the Chattanooga Assembly plant in Tennessee, marking VW's first plant since the closure of the New Stanton plant. The facility produced Volkswagen cars and SUVs specifically designed for the North American markets.

The Volkswagen emissions scandal, also known as Dieselgate or Emissionsgate, began when the EPA issued a notice of violation to Volkswagen for intentionally programming diesel engines to activate emissions controls only during testing.

In March 2017, Volkswagen showcased its prototype for a fully autonomous car named Sedric at the Geneva Motor Show, emphasizing the company's focus on innovation and technology.

In September 2018, Volkswagen announced the discontinuation of the iconic Beetle (A5) model, marking the end of an era for the beloved car.

In July 2019, Volkswagen invested $2.6 billion in Argo AI, a startup focused on developing self-driving vehicles.

In September 2019, Volkswagen revealed a new logo and sonic branding at the Frankfurt Motor Show, along with the launch of the ID.3 electric vehicle, symbolizing a new chapter for the company.

In November 2020, Volkswagen announced a substantial increase in its investment in electric and self-driving cars, highlighting the company's dedication to staying at the forefront of automotive innovation.

On May 11, 2022, Volkswagen announced the revival of the Scout off-road vehicle brand as an electric vehicle, signaling the company's commitment to sustainable mobility and innovation.