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History of Volkswagen Timeline
(1937 - Present)Volkswagen (meaning 'people's car' in German) was founded in 1937 and grew from a state-sponsored project to produce an affordable automobile into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. Its iconic Beetle became a global symbol of affordable mobility, followed by successful models like the Golf and Passat. The company's history also includes major challenges, such as its wartime role and the 2015 Dieselgate emissions scandal. More Less
Founding and Early Years
Adolf Hitler announces the 'people's car' project
May 28, 1933
At the Berlin Motor Show, Adolf Hitler called for the development of an affordable car for ordinary Germans, capable of carrying two adults and three children at 100 km/h. This vision led to the creation of the Volkswagen project, with Ferdinand Porsche commissioned to design the vehicle.
Image source: Volkswagen
Ferdinand Porsche contracted to design the people's car
Jun 22, 1934
The German government signed a contract with Ferdinand Porsche's design firm to develop the KdF-Wagen, the car that would become the Beetle. Porsche's engineering team created a rear-engine, air-cooled design that proved remarkably durable and influential.
Image source: Ferdinand Porsche
Volkswagenwerk founded in Wolfsburg
May 28, 1937
The state-owned Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens was established, later renamed Volkswagenwerk GmbH. A massive factory was built near Fallersleben in Lower Saxony, in a new town that became known as Wolfsburg.
KdF-Wagen prototype unveiled
May 26, 1938
The cornerstone of the new Wolfsburg factory was laid and the KdF-Wagen ('Strength Through Joy car') was presented. Germans could save toward purchasing one through a savings plan, though few buyers ever received their cars due to the outbreak of war.
Image source: Volkswagen Beetle
Factory converted to wartime production
Sep 1, 1939 - Apr 1945
With World War II underway, the Wolfsburg plant shifted to producing military vehicles such as the Kübelwagen and Schwimmwagen, along with munitions. The factory relied heavily on forced labor from prisoners of war and concentration camp inmates.
Postwar Expansion
British military control of the Wolfsburg factory
Jun 1945
After the war, British occupation forces took control of the heavily damaged Wolfsburg plant under Major Ivan Hirst. Rather than dismantling it as reparations, the British ordered production of the Beetle for occupation forces, reviving the company.
Heinrich Nordhoff appointed managing director
Jan 1, 1948
Former Opel executive Heinrich Nordhoff took charge of Volkswagen, transforming it into one of the world's most successful automakers. He focused on quality improvement, dealer networks, exports, and continuous refinement of the Beetle.
Image source: Heinrich Nordhoff
First Volkswagen exports arrive in the United States
Jan 1949
Two Beetles were shipped to New York by Dutch importer Ben Pon, marking the beginning of Volkswagen's export business. The Beetle would go on to achieve extraordinary popularity in America during the 1950s and 1960s.
One millionth Volkswagen produced
Aug 5, 1955
Volkswagen celebrated the production of its one millionth Beetle at the Wolfsburg plant, cementing its status as Germany's leading automaker and demonstrating the remarkable success of Nordhoff's postwar strategy.
Volkswagen becomes West German state-owned company
May 1960
Volkswagen was converted into a joint-stock company, with the German federal government and the state of Lower Saxony each holding 20 percent of shares, while the rest was sold to the public. This structure remains largely intact today.
Image source: Volkswagen Group
Key Facts
- Volkswagen was founded on May 28, 1937, by the German Labour Front under the Nazi regime to produce an affordable 'people's car.'
- The Volkswagen Type 1, known as the Beetle, became one of the best-selling cars of all time, with over 21 million units produced.
- During World War II, Volkswagen's Wolfsburg factory was converted to military production and used forced labor.
- The Volkswagen Group now owns major brands including Audi, Porsche, Škoda, SEAT, Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini.
- In 2015, the 'Dieselgate' emissions scandal, in which VW admitted to cheating on diesel emissions tests, cost the company billions in fines and settlements.
Source
This History of Volkswagen timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.
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