subject: A Concise History Of Volkswagen And Their Cars [print this page] The design of these everyday models was set to contrast luxury and expensive models, which up until 1937 were the only option for people who wanted to buy a car.
The first Volkswagen was actually designed by the already renowned Ferdinand Porsche, with the development of the chassis being carried out by Erwin Komenda. This model was designed using wind tunnels and due to that process the famous Beetle was born.
Before 1939, sales were slow with only a small amount of vehicles being produced; however, in 1946 the Volkswagen factory was manufacturing around 1,000 cars a month. This figure is even more astounding as the company had strict post-war production guidelines and their factory was in disrepair due to damage, which was caused during the war.
During this period some of the most significant VW models were developed, including the 1949 Volkswagen Sedan, the Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle, the 1958 Volkswagen Pickup truck, the 1300 Deluxe of 1966 and of course the 1967 VW Beetle.
In fact, in the fifties sales of the Beetle were unmatched and then in the seventies Volkswagen sold a huge 15,007, 034 Beetles. This success made the model the most-produced road car ever manufactured and even more popular than the Model T Ford.
During 1974 one model was met with worldwide critical acclaim, helping to secure the company's future. This was the Volkswagen Golf, which became a due to the fact that it was one of the first front engine and front-wheel drive hatchbacks. This format went on to be adopted by other manufacturers and it could even be said that it rules the industry.
Twenty years on and Volkswagen launch the third generation Golf, which won the European Car of the Year in 1992.
Then during 1994 the new Volkswagen Beetle was released, which was designed to be a 'retro' themed vehicle. However, the extent of the positive feedback from critics and car enthusiasts led to a further production model being produced later that year.
Volkswagen then started to take steps to make their vehicles even more fuel efficient by controlling their use of diesel by developing new propulsion methods that were even more fuel efficient.
More recently, in 2004 a survey by the United States Environmental Protection Agency revealed that out of the top ten most fuel-efficient vehicles four were manufactured by Volkswagen. Most of these cars are readily available at showrooms to either buy or lease as part of a Volkswagen leasing deal.
This move has lead to the designing of the BlueMotion Volkswagen Polo, as well as electric and hybrid car prototypes.
The 100 percent electric Volkswagen E-Up! will produce zero emissions and there are plans for it to go into production in 2013. There are also plans to develop hybrid versions of existing cars, including the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI.
According to Volkswagen representatives these types of decisions should make them the world's largest car manufacturer by 2018, which should help to secure the fate of the company.
