Volkswagen May 2026

However, early production was short-lived. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the Wolfsburg factory shifted from making civilian cars to military vehicles like the Kübelwagen. Post-War Rebirth and Global Success

In 1937, the German government under Adolf Hitler founded a state-owned automobile company called Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH , later renamed or "The People's Car Company". Hitler commissioned engineer Ferdinand Porsche to design an affordable, reliable vehicle for the masses that could carry two adults and three children at speeds of 62 mph. volkswagen

: Renamed the "Beetle" (or Käfer ), the car became a symbol of West Germany's post-war economic recovery. However, early production was short-lived

: In February 1972, the Beetle surpassed the Ford Model T to become the most manufactured car of all time. Modern Challenges Hitler commissioned engineer Ferdinand Porsche to design an