|
The German-manufactured Volkswagen has its roots in the idea of a “people’s car”, one which would be small enough and inexpensive enough that it would be acceptable for the common people. The man who created the Volkswagen was fulfilling a dream he had cherished from his youth: making a car that fit into the budgets of average Germans. His name was Ferdinand Porsche.
Dr. Porsche hit several speed bumps along the way to building his well-known car. His ideas were vetoed quite a few times before he was able to join forces with the Reichsverband der Deutschen Automobilindustrie (the RDA). This company was Germany’s motor industry association. His car, the precursor of the modern-day Volkswagen, finally debuted in 1936. It was called the KdF-wagen, a name that used the initials from the German phrase for “Joy through Strength”.
After this, World War II broke out. The Kdf-wagen factory was bombed and unable to produce any cars for a time. When production began again, the cars were renamed Volkswagens, the name Dr. Porsche had originally wanted to use.
In 1949, the first two VW automobiles were sent to the United States, where they were overlooked for half a decade. However, by the middle of the 1950’s, Volkswagens were considered hot items in America.
In the 1960’s, Americans developed an obsession with the VW Beetle. It seemed everyone liked these cars, from whether they belonged to the hippie movement or were comfortably middle-class. VW Beetles are quite possibly among the most iconic vehicles of the modern era; even today, they are instantly thought of as belonging in the ‘60’s.
In 1952, the first Volkswagens were sold in the UK; perhaps predictable, they were both Beetles. The next year, Volkswagens were being imported by Volkswagen Motors Ltd (Limited). In the year 1972, Volkswagens surpassed the Ford Model T in production numbers with over 15 million cars manufactured. When the Passat model was released in the 1970’s, it was greeted with enthusiasm. Volkswagen company has consistently proven that they can fulfill the wishes of the public by providing cars that have a lot of style for a reasonable price.
By 1987, one million of the cars had been sold in the UK alone.
Volkswagens are no longer manufactured in Europe, where they had their genesis. The last VW to come from Europe arrived in the UK in 1978. However, Volkswagens have continued to be popular. The jobs associated with Volkswagen UK, an importing business, provide employment opportunities for more than 600 people across the country.
With an understanding of the Volkswagen’s history, one can find even more to admire about these classy cars. They were intended to become cars for the working class and have truly fulfilled that mission. Today’s Volkswagens are recognized for being luxury cars that provide great handling as well as a sophisticated interior. Volkswagens are cars for the people and have been made popular by the people. It is an accomplishment of which Dr. Porsche would be proud. |
