In the post-war years, when the factories of the automaker were under the control of the British administration, Henry Ford could become the owner of the company, but the deal did not take place - the Americans considered that the company was "not worth a penny", and their "popular" car "Beetle" absolutely does not correspond technical parameters that must be applied to passenger cars. In the years that followed, VW showed how deeply deluded the overseas automotive gurus were.
In the early 1950s, the automaker produced about 65% of all cars in Germany, which provided the company with a turnover of $ 1.4 billion. The 70s became the golden years, when the company created two legendary models at once - "Passat" and "Golf", where the latter became the founder of a whole class of cars.
The VW Group includes brands such as Volkswagen, Skoda, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Audi, Seat, Bentley, as well as companies that manufacture Scania and MAN trucks.
Where are VW cars assembled?
Initially, the production of "people's" cars was carried out directly in Germany, but in the course of the development of the brand, factories began to appear on other continents, in particular in South and North America, as well as in Africa. The pioneer was the company's plant, built in the city of San Bernard, Brazil, where for more than 15 years they were engaged in the production of the legendary "Beetle", and now there is one of the main offices responsible for the design of future cars of the brand.
Currently, Volkswagen car factories are located in 12 large countries, including: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic and a number of other countries. The company's revenue over the past few years has far exceeded the 60 billion euro mark, which makes the carmaker the largest automaker in the world.
The lineup of the company consists of the following models:
Where is Volkswagen Golf assembled?
VW Golf is the founder of golf-class cars, the latest generation of which is currently produced in Germany, in the city of Wolfsburg. At the same time, most of the cars of the previous generation were produced in Russia and Brazil.
Where is Volkswagen Passat going?
VW Passat is a full-size sedan, representative of the D-class. The assembly of cars of this model is now established at factories in the cities of Kaluga (Russia), Emden and Moselle (Germany), Luanda (Angola), Solomonovo (Ukraine), as well as Changchun (China).
Where is Volkswagen Beetle going?
VW Beetle is the iconic car of the company, the production of which is now established in Mexico.
Where are Volkswagen Polos going?
VW Polo - presented in two modifications - "hatchback" and "sedan", the first is produced in Spain, Poland and Germany, and the second - mainly in Russia.
Where is the Volkswagen Touareg going?
VW Touareg is a full-fledged off-road vehicle, the production of which is now established in the cities of Bratislava (Slovakia) and Kaluga (Russia). The car concept is at the heart of the Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV.
Where is Volkswagen Transporter going?
The VW Transporter is no less legendary than the Beatle and has the potential to be a great commercial and family car. The production of the model is now represented in the cities of Hannover (Germany), Poznan (Poland) and Kaluga (Russia).
Where is Volkswagen Amarok going?
VW Amarok is a modern car of the company belonging to the pickup class. The model is produced in Hannover, as well as in the city of Pacheco, located in Argentina.
Where is Volkswagen Jetta going?
VW Jetta is another popular model of the company that combines the spaciousness of a sedan and the charge of a hatchback. Cars designed for the European and American markets are produced in Mexico, while Russians are offered models made in Russia at a plant in Kaluga.
Where is Volkswagen Caddy going?
VW Caddy is an excellent commercial vehicle that is actively purchased by large companies as well as small entrepreneurs. The assembly of the model is carried out in Germany, as well as in Russia, while in the first case the cars are delivered to the European, and in the second - to the Russian and Eastern markets.
VW is famous for its attitude to the quality of the cars produced, therefore, regardless of the country and city in which this or that model of the company is produced, it will certainly comply with strict corporate standards. This is achieved through the use of modern equipment, as well as strict quality control at all stages of assembly.
The history of the world famous brand of Volkswagen cars began almost 80 years ago and during this time the cars of this brand have earned a reputation as reliable and at the same time beautiful and stylish cars. Let's take a look at how this brand developed and when the word "Volkswagen" was first heard in the history of modern automotive industry.
Autumn 1933.
During a meeting at the Hotel Kazerhof in Berlin, Adolf Hitler, in conversation with representatives of Daimler-Benz and Ferdinand Porsche, put forward a demand that a reliable, strong and at the same time inexpensive car should be developed for the German people. The cost of such a car should not exceed 1000 Reichsmarks, and it is this requirement that has become the most important, because the car should be available to almost all segments of the population of Germany. In addition, one of Hitler's demands was that the cars should be assembled in a new plant, which was to become a symbol of the productivity and development of Germany. 
It is worth noting that Adolf Hitler had a direct hand in developing the concept of the future car. He sketched a sketch of the future beetle and asked for the name of the designer who would undertake the development of this car. Then Jacob Verlin, who was the representative of Daimler-Benz at that meeting and suggested that Ferdinand Porsche should take up the development of the car. On the same day, the name "Volks-Wagen" was first pronounced, which in Russian means "people's car"
First Beetle Blueprints
After a very short time, in January 1934, Porsche brought the drawings of the ordered car to the German Reich Chancellery. It was developed on the basis of the Porsche Typ 60 and in June of the same year a contract was signed for the development of three new Volkswagen prototypes. Only 20 thousand Reichsmarks were allocated per month for the project, and the development period was limited to 10 months.
The requirements for the car were put forward quite stringent and at the same time accurate:
- Track width 1200 mm
- Maximum power - 26 HP
- 5 seats
- Maximum speed - 100 km / h
- Average fuel consumption is 8 liters per 100 kilometers.
- The cost of a car upon sale is 1550 Reichsmarks
Development time is delayed
Despite the fact that the car was already practically designed on paper and ready for serial launch, the new government requirements have made their own adjustments. The first prototypes were not ready until September 1936 and it took 2 years to develop prototypes. However, despite this, the first four-door car from Volkswagen and the two-door convertible were born and the next 30 prototypes were ordered, which were subsequently produced and assembled at the Daimler-Benz plant.
The test of the vehicles was carried out by the trade union organization "German Labor Front". The same organization also made a decision regarding the suitability of the car for use. 
Volkswagen plant construction
It all started with the fact that on May 28, 1937, a company was founded, the name of which could be translated into Russian, as LLC for the preparation of the German people's car. A year later, near the town of Fallersleben, in 1938, the first stone was laid for the plant, which will produce cars that will later receive the title of the most reliable and affordable. In September of the same year, the plant was renamed Volkswagen GmbH.
A very large amount of money in the construction of this plant was invested by the KdF (Kraft durch Freude) company, and it was in her honor that the cars of the future, at the suggestion of Adolf Hitler, began to be called KdF-Wagen.
Unfortunately, the Second World War, which began just a year later, confused the plans of the industrialists, and the new plant managed to release only two car models, which bore the markings V38 and V39s. The first model was a trial, but the second was already a demonstration model, and both of these cars have changed quite a lot compared to the first sketches. The door handles and openings were modernized, and two rear windows were added in the car's interior. This "people's car" had every chance of gaining immense popularity, but unfortunately, the plant received a huge flow of military orders and the development of Volkswagen took a slightly different course.
Volkswagen during WWII
Since the Volkswagen plant was the newest at that time, during the war, a variety of types of military equipment were produced there, ranging from vehicles intended for the delivery of ammunition and personnel, and ending even with military developments of amphibious vehicles. However, during the liberation part of the war, in 1946, this plant was almost destroyed to the ground.
The raids of American aircraft practically did not leave a stone unturned from the building of the factory, and after the war it had to be restored. England was engaged in this, in whose zone of influence the city of Wolsburg fell after the war, which was originally built as workers' settlements for a factory. After the restoration, England ordered 20,000 cars to this plant, but they did not begin to be mass-produced until many years later.
Foreigners first glances at Volkswagen
The new car from Volkswagen attracted attention in Hanover at the export fair. In fact, it is this moment that should be considered a turning point in the fate of the Volkswagen concern. Orders for the production of cars from abroad started pouring in, which showed a really high quality of the car presented at the fair.
Of course, first of all, residents of Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland and other countries drew the people's car from Germany, but later the car became popular all over the world.
Change of leadership
In 1948, Heinrich Nordhoff became the CEO of Volkswagen. Together with him, the top management changed and it now consisted entirely of engineers who had both international experience and innovative thinking. It was this approach that made it possible to modernize the current car models produced at the restored plant and make it even better.
The emergence of a new top also brought about such changes in the concern's activities as the emergence of a network of technical stations and car services for car maintenance. At the same time, the network of sales of cars to the west was being established and the management did not lose, betting on the export of cars.
As a result, about 15 thousand cars were sold on the domestic market by the end of 1948, but the export market was literally overflowing with them - about 50 000 cars were sold.
The plant returns to German control
Volkswagen Beetle history:
A little later, the time of control over the plant by England came to an end, and in September 1948 the plant completely passed under the control of the Federal Republic of Germany.
This stage in the existence of the plant and the concern as a whole can be characterized by intensive development, an increase in the level of sales and an improvement in the quality of car production.
Hard work and an extraordinary approach to the production of cars have borne fruit. 27 years after the complete destruction of the plant and the end of World War II, the Volkswagen Beetle broke the sales record. Prior to that, the championship was held by the Ford Model T.
The prototype of the modern "Transporter"
In the 50s, the first truck model manufactured by Volkswagen entered serial production. Even then, in its concept, it was very similar to the modern Transporter and was inferior to it only in beauty and power. Since the car was constantly being modernized and improved, it continued to gain immense popularity from year to year. Over time, Bulli has become very firmly established in the market for practical and reliable trucks, and it has become widely used for the transport of commercial goods.
It is worth noting that modifications of this car were also produced for special needs and even fire trucks based on "Bully" 
Back to Volkswagen passenger cars
Since the new management of the concern took the export of cars very seriously, over time, a whole network of subsidiaries was opened all over the world. The purpose of these enterprises was the sale of Volkswagens, and perhaps it was thanks to this that the millionth Beetle was released in 1955, which later began to be called the car of the century.
This car was produced until 1991, which speaks of the really high level of skill of engineers and designers and how high-quality the assembly of this car was.
However, the story of the Beetle does not end there, and already in 1998, the first car based on the Volkswagen Lupo rolled off the assembly line at a plant in Mexico. Despite the fact that the wheelbase of this car is different, the beetle's favorite forms and outlines have been preserved, and the car itself has less modern characteristics and solutions, without which motorists can no longer imagine driving a car.
Concern Volkswagen today
Over the years, this company has achieved tremendous success. War and the complete destruction of the plant stood in its way, but perseverance and truly German pedantry allowed this world famous plant to rise from the ashes. 
Now the headquarters of Volkswagen is the world-famous tower made of glass and concrete, which cannot even be called a plant. This is a real working museum and factory, where there is not even a speck of dust on the parquet floor.
Here, each of the 9 car brands united in the Volkswagen concern has its own place, and the most important thing is that anyone who wants to come to Dresden can visit this tower.
The Volkswagen concern is known all over the world. It is indeed the largest group of car manufacturing companies. The parent company (or, as they say, the parent company) is located in Wolfsburg and is called, as everyone knows, Volkswagen AG. Well, this concern has a very rich and long history and a lot of interesting facts. So it's worth telling about it in more detail.
Porsche and Volkswagen
So, the headquarters of this concern is located in Germany, in Wolfsburg. The company was named "Volkswagen", which means "people's car" in German. Today, about half of the shares belong to a holding such as Porsche SE. Nevertheless, the Volkswagen concern owns all one hundred percent of the ordinary shares of an intermediate holding called Porsche Zwischenholding GmbH. In general, in fact, "Porsche" - these are the cars that are produced by "Volkswagen". Today, company managers are negotiating to merge the firms into a single structure that could be called VW-Porsche. It is also interesting that Martin Winterkorn (a fairly well-known personality of the automotive world) until September 2015 served as chairman of the board of both Volkswagen and Porsche.
But that is not all. Today, the Volkswagen concern consists of 342 companies that produce cars and provide services related to this area. It is the largest car manufacturer in the world. And of course, the undisputed leader of the European car market. 25% of the cars that drive on the roads of the continent are made by Volkswagen.
About history
The Volkswagen concern begins its history in 1937. The founder of the company is Ferinand Porsche. It was he who created the so-called Society for the training of Volkswagen mbH. And in 1938 they began to build the first Volkswagen plant. It was, of course, in Wolfsburg. In addition to the automotive industry, the plant was engaged in another type of activity. Concern Volkswagen AG then provided logistics and financial services. And besides that, he had a small food business.
In the 90s, the company began to experience major difficulties. Quite serious financial problems have appeared. But thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Ferdinand Piëch, everything worked out. In fact, this man saved Volkswagen. The concern switched to a 4-day working week, began to adhere to an offensive policy and began to develop at an even greater pace. In the end, the company managed to acquire just a huge number of popular brands.
Rolls-Royce and Suzuki
From 1998 to 2002, the Volkswagen automobile concern was engaged in the production of cars such as Rolls-Royce. All people know about these luxurious models, even those who are not familiar with the auto world. This topic is quite interesting. A division of the Volkswagen Bentley group was engaged in the production of these cars under an agreement with another company - BMW. Why? But because a Munich company bought the rights to this brand from a concern like Vickers. And since 2003, only BMW has the right to manufacture and manufacture cars with the famous Rolls-Royce emblem.
In 2009, the Volkswagen Group took a step further - it entered into an alliance with a company such as Suzuki. The firms exchanged stakes (German manufacturers got 20% of Suzuki's shares) and announced the joint development of so-called ecological machines. But in 2011, the alliance broke up, which was announced to the world.
Scandal 2015
In September 2015, a worldwide Volkswagen scandal erupted. The concern was accused of the fact that the program that the developers used in the on-board computers that they release determined one important point. Namely, in what mode the machine works - in normal mode or in a test mode. This program was introduced in cars with diesel power units. Including VW Jetta, Audi A3, Golf, Passat, Beetle. When testing began, the vehicle automatically switched to environmentally friendly operation. A very smart and well thought-out system, I must say. However, this turned out to be a huge disaster and financial cost for the concern.
The Environmental Protection Agency said that for absolutely every car that does not meet US standards, the company will have to pay a fine of $ 37.5 thousand. It turns out to be a fabulous sum. Indeed, since 2008, the concern has sold 482,000 cars. And the total amount of fines could reach 18 billion! To date, half a million of their vehicles have been recalled from the United States. This is also a loss. After the incident, the company's chairman Martin Winterkorn apologized publicly and said that he would definitely support the investigation. By the way, the ministry is engaged in it. After that, Martin resigned after more than a dozen years of work at Volkswagen.
Acquired companies before 2000
So, it is worth talking in more detail about what is included in the Volkswagen concern. Naturally, the main part of it is the Volkswagen company, which produces passenger cars. The company is not registered as a subsidiary of the parent group, but is a unit directly subordinate to the management of VW AG.
In 1964, the Audi company was added to this structure. It was purchased from Daimler-Benz. Next after Audi was NSU Motorenwerke. It was bought in 1969. This brand has not been used as an independent brand for a long time - since 1977. And before that, the company produced motorcycles and cars.
They joined the Spanish brand Seat, which has existed since 1950. Volkswagen owns 99.99% of the company's shares. The most interesting models began to appear after Seat joined the German structure. For example, the SEAT Bocanegra with a 180-horsepower engine, which was designed by Lamborghini specialists.
In 1991, the company acquired the Czech Škoda and then took back Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This company was once part of VW AG, but in 1995 it became an independent brand. Or rather, a division. "Bentley", "Bugatti", "Lamborghini" - these brands are known today all over the world. And these are concerns that have been owned by Volkswagen since 1998. That year was a shock for the company. After all, these cars are considered one of the most popular, well-known and actively bought by people.
Acquired firms after 2000
The Volkswagen Group continued to acquire shares further. In 2009, he bought almost 71% of Scania AB. This production is engaged in the development and production of dump trucks, buses, trucks, truck tractors and diesel engines. Another company, MAN AG, bought in 2011, makes all of the above, as well as hybrid powertrains in addition. VW AG owns 55.9% of the firm.
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A and ItalDesign Giugiaro are two other manufacturers bought by Volkswagen. The first of the listed companies is one of the leading manufacturers of premium motorcycles. And the second is a car design studio. Interestingly, in 2010, the Lamborghini holding bought 90% of the shares of this company. So Volkswagen was the owner of the atelier anyway, but after the paperwork, it also became the official owner.
And one more interesting information. VW AG in 2013 acquired the Russian Aleko (it was under this TM that the famous cheap “Muscovites” were sold for some time). The right to use this brand and any emblems belongs to the German concern until 2021.
Financial questions
In March 1991, in order to optimize the organizational structure, the German concern decided to form an internal division that would deal with financial matters. It was named Volkswagen Finanz. In 1994 it became a closed joint stock company. This banking and financial structure receives full access to international financial markets, as well as the ability to finance on very favorable terms. This unit deals with important issues. For example, financing the development, production and purchase of machines for corporate and individual clients. Also provides banking, leasing and insurance services to these individuals. In general, a useful activity and, what is most important for the company, profitable.
About profit
And a couple more interesting facts in the end. In 2010, VW AG raised a huge amount of money, amounting to 57.243 billion euros! But of all this, the net profit turned out to be only 1.55 billion. Seems small in comparison with the revenue. However, this is actually a lot of money. After all, all expenses are taken into account, which go to almost 350 companies. Therefore, the profit is really solid. Therefore, it is not surprising that Volkswagen is by far the largest, richest and most famous company.
Volkswagen AG, a German automobile concern. Manufactures cars, trucks, minibuses. The headquarters are located in Wolfsburg.
In 1934 Ferdinand Porsche (Ferdinand Porsche), a famous German designer (founder of the world famous German automobile company Porsche AG), received an order from the National Socialist government of Germany to develop a modern passenger car.
And already in 1935, such a car was mounted. It got the name "Volkswagen", which literally translated from German means "people's car". After two years of testing, the VW30 series was launched in 1937, and by 1938 the car had acquired a familiar appearance for many generations. Volkswagen was immediately appreciated by designers, engineers and drivers. They started talking about him, there were numerous publications, in 1938 in the New York Times article Volkswagen was dubbed a "beetle" for its external resemblance. This nickname stuck so well that it became the hallmark of the car.
For the production of the "people's car" on May 26, 1938 in the city of Wolfsburg, the construction of the largest European car plant, Volkswagen, began. But the impending war prevented the production of this car from being established. Only a dozen of them were produced. The fascist bosses liked the car very much. Hitler himself gladly rode it.
During the Second World War, work on the construction of Volkswagen was suspended, and the unfinished plant was redesigned for the production of military products.
After the end of the war, the company fell under the control of the British, in whose zone of occupation Wolfsburg was located. In the fall of 1945, the British authorities handed over to the plant an order for 20 thousand cars. But only almost ten years later, the serial production of the car in its initial modification began. In 1947 Volkswagen was exhibited at the Hannover Export Fair and attracted a lot of attention. The plant received the first foreign order from Holland for a thousand cars, and in 1948 orders began to come from Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden and other countries.
In January 1948, the leadership of Volkswagen changed, and Heinrich Nordhoff, a representative of the new generation of German technocrats, became its CEO. The updated management consisted of certified engineers with international experience in car factories and who knew how to think outside the box. With their arrival, the car was improved and modernized. In 1949, models with a new body type began to be produced - a convertible and a limousine. In serial production, the interior equipment became more comfortable, a partially synchronized engine was installed.
A network of car service and technical stations for car maintenance was established. We were constantly working with Western clients. Volkswagen has built up a strong car distribution network.
By the end of 1948, the export of the car, which gained world fame, amounted to about 50 thousand cars, about 15 thousand were sold on the domestic market.
By this time, the plant was freed from allied control of the British, and on September 6, 1949 Volkswagen was completely transferred to the Federal Republic of Germany.
A new stage in the development of the plant began, which was primarily marked by an intensive increase in production and an increase in sales.
By 1950, 100 thousand cars were produced, by 1951 - 500 thousand cars, and on August 5, 1955, a solemn ceremony took place on the occasion of the release of the millionth Volkswagen 2. The motto of this time in the life of Germans is the popular phrase associated with Volkswagen - "He is a member of my family." ...
The reliability and affordable price of the car, proven over the years, have strengthened the export capabilities of the car. Volkswagen is already on sale in 150 countries around the world. Subsidiaries appear abroad - in 1953 in Brazil, in 1956 in South Africa, in 1957 in Australia, in 1964 in Mexico (here since 1998 the beetle has been produced, which has become a real hit of the season among Hollywood stars) and other countries.
The first modification of the standard Volkswagen-1200 in 1955 was the sports coupe Karmann-Ghia, the brand of which was made up of the names of the companies that created it: the body was designed by the Italian company Ghia, and it was assembled at the German bodywork firm Karmann in Osnabrück. In 1961, the program was replenished with a new Volkswagen-1500 with a sedan body and an increased displacement engine, on the basis of which the next versions of the Karmann-Ghia coupe and convertible were produced.
In 1965, Volkswagen bought out Audi from Daimler-Benz, creating the Volkswagen-Audi concern, known by the abbreviation VAG. Later, the Spanish company SEAT and the Czech plant Skoda entered it. At present, Audi AG is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen concern, which has been given full independence.
The first result of the merger in 1968 was the VW-411 with an air-cooled engine with a working volume of 1679 cc. The model was very reservedly accepted by buyers. In 1969, after joining the NSU firm, the first Volkswagen with front drive wheels appeared, which received the index "K-70". It was available with 1594 or 1795 cc engines. In 1969-1975, in collaboration with Porsche, sports cars Volkswagen-Porsche-914 "were produced with 4- and 6-cylinder engines in 1679 and 1991 cc. In 1970, the VW-181 appeared with a utilitarian open body, reminiscent of army cars. In 1979, the light four-wheel drive army vehicle lltis became its development.
The front-wheel drive Passat, released in 1973, is considered the ancestor of the new generation of Volkswagen. It was offered in numerous variants with engines ranging from 1297 to 1588 cc. The next year, the sporty Scirocco appeared with a 3-door coupe and engines ranging from 1,093 to 1,588 cc, as well as a compact 3- and 5-door Golf hatchback. In the first 30 months of production, 1 million Golfs rolled off the assembly line, making Volkswagen one of the largest car manufacturers in Europe. In 1979, the Golf Cabriolet appeared, which was always in high demand.
The Golf I, which appeared in 1974, turned out to be the most successful: modern, economical, reliable, just such a model could stir up the international market. The Golf marked a new stage in the competition in the compact car class, which came almost officially to be called the "golf class". If during the development of new models in 1973-1974, the concern's losses exceeded 800 million German marks, then already in 1975, due to the high demand for them, it was possible to cover all costs. Just 3 years after the launch of the Golf I, the one-millionth car of this brand was produced. In 1983, the Golf II was released, and eight years later, in 1991, the Golf III debuted, which, like previous models, maintained the Golf's high reputation. In the twenty-three years since the start of production, 17 million Golfs of three generations have been produced. In 1995-1996, the Golf III was the leader in the number of sales in Europe. In 1997, the debut of the new Golf IV took place, only in the first days after which more than 60 thousand orders were taken.
At the beginning of 1975, the "younger brother" Golf was presented - a three-door front-wheel drive Polo, similar in design to the Audi-50 and offered with engines with a working volume of 895-1272 cc. The inexpensive and practical Polo also became very popular and strengthened Volkswagen's financial position. On the basis of the Polo, a three-volume variant with a Derby sedan body was offered.
Since 1980, based on the Golf, the Jetta has been produced with a 4-door sedan body. In 1992, it was replaced by a similar machine (already on the third generation Golf chassis), called the Vento.
In 1981, the Passat and Scirocco were modernized, and a year later the Santana sedan appeared on the basis of the Passat, which was equipped for the first time with a 5-cylinder petrol S engine with a displacement of 1994 cc.
In the period 1988-1995, the only Corrado 3-door coupe in the program was assembled, the successor to the Scirocco.
The Variant station wagon and convertible models on the third generation chassis have continued to be produced since 1993. Two Variant Syncro models with 2.0- and 2.9-liter engines have all-wheel drive chassis.
The compact third generation Polo has been in production since 1994. Bodies 3- and 5-door hatchback, Polo Classic sedan and 5-door Variant station wagon. Engines petrol and diesel 4-cylinder with a working volume of 1.0-1.9 liters, 50-101 hp.
The comfortable family Vento of the first generation is equipped with 4- and 6-cylinder engines in 1.6-2.8 liters with an output of 75-174 hp.
Sharan wagon of increased capacity has been produced since 1995 in 5-7-seater versions, on front- and all-wheel drive chassis. Power of gasoline and diesel engines with a working volume of 1.9-2.8 liters in the range of 90-174 hp.
The fifth generation Passat family of models was shown in 1996. Unlike previous cars, produced since 1988, they are again unified with the same type Audi A4 and A6 models. This made it possible to use more powerful and modern Audi powertrains in the longitudinal arrangement. Passat models are produced only with sedan bodies and 5-door station wagon Variant and are equipped with 4-, 5- and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in 1.6-2.8 liters with an output of 90-193 hp. Several Syncro Variant models have an all-wheel drive chassis.
In 1999, the BORA comfortable sedan model was released.
Several Volkswagen plants in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and China produce a range of models that differ significantly from European products. These include the Gol, Parati and Santana models, based on the previous generation Golf and Passat chassis.
The Mexican branch continues the production of the "1.6i" model of the "Beetle" type with a 1.6-liter engine of 44 hp, and since the beginning of 1998 the production of a fundamentally new front-wheel drive car "Beetle" on the chassis of Golf models has been mastered. outwardly similar to the famous "Beetle".
At present, the Volkswagen concern is one of the largest in terms of sales in the world, has its factories in 15 countries of the world, and manufactures products under five trademarks Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT. Since 1998, the concern has owned the Rolls-Royce brand. In addition to passenger cars, the plant also produces trucks and minibuses. The Volkswagen concern includes: Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, SEAT SA, Skoda Avtomobilova, Volkswagen-Saxony GmbH.
Website: www.vw.com
Representative office in Russia:
← The company chose the modern logo for itself back in the early 70s
Automotive history cannot be imagined without the Volkswagen brand, and for many people these cars have become an integral part of life. Currently, the car concern Volkswagen AG is located in Lower Saxony, where the company's headquarters are located in Wolsfburg.
The history of the Volkswagen logo is as interesting as the path of development of the famous automobile company. By the way, the author of the VW emblem is not exactly known to this day. The first Volkswagen logo appeared back in 1933, it became the image of the letters V and W inscribed in each other, stylized as a Nazi swastika.
Volkswagen production approved by Hitler
In 1936, by order of Adolf Hitler, a new plant was opened in Fallersleben (Lower Saxony). The enterprise was supposed to organize the production of Volkswagen cars (translated from the German "people's car"). Ferdinand Porsche was involved in the development of Volkswagen models, which were to be assembled in modification of a limousine, convertible and soft-top cars. At that time, this talented designer worked at Mercedes, but at the request of Hitler left his post and devoted himself to the development of the "people's car".
← Ferdinand Porsche - the author of the first VW models
And for the first time these two met back in 1924 on the Solitude race track, what Hitler and Porsche were talking about then is not known. A few years after this meeting, in 1930, an automotive research bureau was established on Kronenstrasse in Stuttgart. The staff of this organization included Ferdinad Porsche himself, his son Ferry (Ferry), engineers Karl Rabe and Kral Frolich, who were specialists in automotive transmission, as well as Joseph Kales, an expert on air-cooled engines, Joseph Mikl and Erwin Komenda, who later became the designer of the Porsche 356. The company operated under the long name "DR.ING.HCF. Porsche Gmbh. Konstruktionsbüro für Motoren-Fahrzeug-Luftfahrzeug und Wasserfahrzeugbau".
Start of the "people's car"
In 1931, Ferdinand Porsche developed the first prototype of the "people's car", a small car, which was ordered by the German company Zündapp. In 1932, production of this model, called the Type 12, was even begun, but Zündapp quickly lost interest in the automotive industry, facing more pressing production orders.
In 1932, Porsche created a new "people's car", developed on the basis of the Type 12. The novelty inherits the body design from its predecessor and receives a four-cylinder engine with an air-cooled system. However, the manufacturer had to abandon the large-scale implementation of this project due to an agreement signed with Fiat, according to which the models of the Italian automaker should not compete with German car companies.
In 1933, another meeting between the auto-designer and the Fuehrer of Germany took place. Porsche then explained his plan to create a small-sized car model that could drive at a speed of 100 km / h, consume no more than 7 liters per 100 kilometers and was sold at a price of 1,000 marks. The new creation of Ferdinand Porsche was "enclosed" in a body with rounded shapes and had front and rear torsion bar suspensions. The choice of this type of suspension was dictated by the peculiarities of the car's power plant, as well as the intention to make the interior of the car as spacious as possible. In addition, the torsion bar suspension, due to its flexibility, has become an ideal technical solution for small cars, because the use of a rigid suspension for equipping a light car would have a negative effect on the level of interior comfort. Ferdinand Porsche intended to equip his new car with a four-cylinder engine with an air-cooled system.
← One of the first models designed by Porsche
It is also worth noting that the design decisions regarding the body of the new model were inspired by Porsche's favorite racing models Benz, which in their shape resembled a drop of water, which, as you know, has excellent aerodynamics. But soon the auto designer found another advantage of just such a rounded body shape. And it consisted in the fact that the body made in this form also had high strength indicators. Subsequently, this very argument will become the marketing ploy of the Volkswagen manufacturer.
← The first VW models were personally evaluated by Hitler
The birth of the Volkswagen automobile concern
And in 1934, that significant event took place, which can be considered the birth of the great Volkswagen auto concern. This year, after going through numerous discussions and refinements, the car project from Ferdinand Porsche received the signature "approved for production".
The Fuehrer's aspiration was clear: to make sure that every citizen of Germany has his own car. Therefore, it was assumed that the designed cars should be economical models, easy to manufacture and maintain.
At the end of 1935, the company is testing two prototype cars, named VW1 and VW2, which had a 985 cc engine and 23.5 hp. at 3 00 rpm.
In 1936, these prototypes are already undergoing road tests on the track of the villa near Stuttgart. Interestingly, the test specimens were found to be "not very aesthetic." And it is not surprising, because then few guessed about the advantages of an aerodynamic body. Moreover, such cars were not suitable for mass, "national" production. Therefore, the members of the commission, who did not really care about what was under the hood of the tested car samples, greeted the new items with distrust and biasedness. But the 50,000 km of the test track, which these prototypes drove without any problems, convinced the "judges", and the car was declared "usable."
30 models of cars, named Type VW 38, were assembled in 1937 on the orders of Hitler by the Mercedes company. These so-called “30 Series” cars were followed by the Series 60 models, which were tested in the harsh conditions of the winter of 1937-38. One of the cars of this series opened the German Grand Prix in the mountains. The lightness and good handling of the car allowed it, despite its modest motor resource, to drive about 13 km in a time comparable to the results of a racing car. This fact can be considered the first sporting achievement of Volkswagen.
Wolfsburg plant
For mass production of models of this series, it was decided to build a plant in Wolfsburg. In 1938, the first stone was laid in the construction of a new enterprise. Subsequently, KdF-Stadt will become a real hometown for VW workers. At the factory, pre-production models of the 60 Series were assembled in the modification of a cabriolet, a sedan and a car with a soft folding roof.
← Car manufacturing in KdF-Stadt
And Hitler in those years preferred to call these cars not Volkswagen cars at all, but K.d models. F.-Wagen, which in its own way angered and shocked the designer Ferdinand Porsche, who was, in fact, the main and sole creator of the Series 30 and Series 60 cars. Despite the financial plan, the implementation of which could allow every citizen of Germany to raise funds for the purchase of these cars, not a single car from VW reached its buyer in those pre-war years. Several of the models produced were used for the needs of the German army, and several more were put into operation by the Nazi leadership.
← The first models of the 30th series were intended for Nazi leaders
On the eve of the war in 1939, 215 cars were manually assembled at VW production, which are now impossible to find. In the same year, designers began developing a military version of the K.d. F-Wagen.
Serial production of these models began in 1941, cars very quickly acquired a reputation for being durable and reliable vehicles. On the basis of "civilian" models, the manufacturer creates several military modifications, the most famous of which is the Kubelwagen. It was entirely aimed at the needs of the German army and became like a German "jeep". In 1943, for the motorization of such cars, they began to use engines with a volume of 935 to 1131 cm³ with a capacity of 24 to 25 hp. But already in 1944, on August 7, work at the VW production, where 630 sedan cars and 13 convertibles had already been assembled, stopped. The plant was completely re-equipped for military needs and began to produce V1 flying bombs here. It was due to the activity of this kind of plant that the allied troops soon bombed.
In 1945, American troops find an industrial town not marked anywhere on the map, located near the walls of a huge destroyed factory (the wall of the main building was more than 1 km long) and give it the name Wolfsburg.
← Volkswagen plant in Wolfsbrug in our time
After the division of Germany into four zones of occupation in 1945, the plant comes under British control. At the same time, the production of VW was headed by Ivan Hirst, a young British major who left the ranks of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Deciding that the British army needed cars, Hirst took one of the models produced at the factory and sent it as a model to the leadership of the United Kingdom armed forces. Within a week, he received an order for the production of 20,000 copies and the plant was resumed.
The first models were assembled by workers at the Wolfsburg plant from the wreckage of cars left after the bombing of the plant. They had to show remarkable dexterity and ingenuity in order for the production of cars to continue. The harsh times for Volkswagen did not end there. Allied Britain intended to eliminate all industrial production in order to exclude any possibility of a new armament for Germany. However, the Wolfsburg plant was lucky to come under the control of Property Control (the Commission for the Control of Germany) and the production was given a peaceful character, aimed at transport needs.
In the period from the end of World War II to October 1946, 10,000 Volkwagen models were assembled at the Wolsfburg plant, which, despite their "popular" name, were not at all intended for sale to ordinary motorists. The plant was offered to Henry Ford, but he considered the production "unviable" and refused to engage in its development. In 1947, difficulties associated with restoration work, as well as a shortage of coal, did not allow the Wolfsburg production to operate at the required level. Only 8987 cars were produced, 1656 of which were exported.
The landmark year for Volkswagen in 1948 has come. When the models of German production were taken up by the British military Heinrich Nordhof, the former head of Opel, who later became the CEO of Volkswagen. It was to him that the plant owes its real revival and it was he who created the production and commercial network of VW, and also placed the company's branches in 136 countries of the world.
← Heinrich Nordhoff - organizer of VW's post-war revival
Thanks to the activity of the new manager, the reorganization of the Wolfsburg plant went much faster, the production volume reached 19,244 cars, and soon control over the work of the enterprise passed to the management of the state of Lower Saxony.
The first Volkswagen models and the first resounding success
The first successful Volkswagen model is the VW 1200 (Type 1), which was dubbed Kafer in Germany, Coccinelle in France, and Beetle in England and Great Britain. The production of the VW 1200 model began in 1948, the car became known first in Germany, and then spread throughout Europe, and was later exported to the United States. It was in the states that this "people's car" became the best-selling foreign car in the 50-60s. Throughout its history, the VW 1200 model was produced in the amount of 20 million copies and outstripped the manufacturer Ford Motors and its famous Ford T model, which produced 15 million vehicles.
← Type VW 1200 Convertible Soft Top
In 1949, the British authorities transfer Volkswagen to the German leadership, the plant's production volume reaches 46,632 models, the export volume is 15.7%
The whole world will drive Volkswagens in the 60s and 70s
In the mid-50s, on the basis of the VW 1200, the assembly of elegant coupes and convertibles, called Karmann-Ghia, began (the body of the model was designed by Ghia, and assembled by Karmann). At that time, the cars of the German manufacturer were already sold in 150 countries around the world. VW subsidiaries open in many of them. In 1961, models such as the Type 3 and VW 1500 appeared, equipped with a rear-wheel drive with an oversized engine. New models with coupe and convertible bodies have been on sale since 1963. And in total, from 1961 to 1973, the production of Karmann-Ghia amounted to 3 million cars.
← Karmann-Ghia - the bestseller of the German car industry
In 1968, the production of the Type 4 (VW 411) model began, equipped with an air-cooled engine with a volume of 1679 cm³. This car was the first result of the work of VW and Audi, which was acquired from Daimler-Benz. The two German manufacturers merged into an alliance called VAG, which was later joined by Seat and Skoda.
← VW 411 became a classic, but did not have much success
The VW 411 was not very popular between 1968 and 1974. VAG has produced only 350,000 cars of this model. In order to be able to release a new model that would replace the 411, Volkswagen includes NSU. Soon, the K-70 model appeared, equipped with a front-wheel drive, which was produced from 1970 to 1975.
← K-70 - the first front-wheel drive Volkswagen
In the early 70s, the German manufacturer expected a sudden, but well-deserved success. In 1973, VW began production of the Passat, which was based on the front-wheel drive Audi 80 platform. The start of VW Passat production ended the VW 411 and K-70 models. The Passat was modified several times (in 1980, 1988 and 1995) and is still produced by VW.
← Volkswagen began producing its famous Passat model in the early 70s.
Now the car is the face of the German brand
In 1974, in the midst of the global oil crisis, Volkswagen launched the Golf, which was intended to replicate the success of the VW 1200. The introduction of this small front-wheel drive car marked the beginning of the popularity of compact cars throughout Europe. The Golf has a glorious and long history that has not ended to this day, and since 1975 this model has been considered one of the best-selling in the Old World.
← Golf is the best-selling small car in Europe
Already in 1974, Volkswagen's model range expanded with the appearance of the Scirocco coupe, produced on the basis of the Golf. A year later, the production of the Polo model, a front-wheel drive car based on the Audi 50, was launched. The Polo became another massive success of the Volkswagen concern and brought the company significant income.
