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.
: In the 1960s, thanks to revolutionary "Think Small" advertising and its association with the hippie movement, the Beetle transformed into a symbol of individuality and peace. volkswagen
: Renamed the "Beetle" (or Käfer ), the car became a symbol of West Germany's post-war economic recovery. In 1937, the German government under Adolf Hitler
The story of Volkswagen is one of the most dramatic transformations in industrial history—a journey from a dark political origin to a global symbol of peace and counterculture. The Birth of the "People's Car" : Renamed the "Beetle" (or Käfer ), the
After the war, the factory lay in ruins and faced an uncertain future. It was eventually saved by British Army Major , who recognized the car's potential and helped restart production in 1945 to provide jobs and industry for a devastated Germany.
: In February 1972, the Beetle surpassed the Ford Model T to become the most manufactured car of all time. Modern Challenges
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
