Volkswagen

In 1934, Ferdinand Porsche (Ferdinand Porsche), the famous German designer (founder of the internationally known German car manufacturer Porsche AG), was commissioned by the National Socialist German government to develop a modern car.
And in 1935 this car was designed. It was called the Volkswagen («Volkswagen"), which literally translated from German means "people's car". After two years of testing in 1937 launched a series of VW30, but by 1938 the car has found familiar to many generations of appearance.
Volkswagen immediately appreciated by designers, engineers and drivers. On the fore, there have been numerous publications in 1938 in the article New York Times Volkswagen dubbed a resemblance, "beetle". The nickname stuck so that was the hallmark car.
For the production of "people's car" May 26, 1938 in the city of Wolfsburg, the construction of Europe's largest automobile Volkswagen. But the impending war prevented the start production of the car. Their was a dozen in all. The car was very fond of the Nazi bosses. He traveled with pleasure Hitler himself.
During the Second World War, the construction of Volkswagen were suspended, and the unfinished plant redeveloped for military production.
After the war, the company came under British control, in whose occupation zone was Wolfsburg. In the autumn of 1945, British authorities gave the order for the plant 20 thousand cars. But only almost ten years later began mass production car in its original versions.
In 1947, Volkswagen was offered for export trade fair in Hanover, and has attracted much attention. The plant received its first foreign order of the Netherlands for a thousand cars, and in 1948 began to receive orders from Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden and other countries.
In January 1948, changed its management Volkswagen, its CEO was Henry Nordhoff, a new generation of German technocrats. The updated guide was composed of graduate engineers with international experience in the car factories, and who could think outside the box.
On their arrival the car was upgraded and modernized. In 1949 he began to produce models with the new body styles - sedan and limousine service. In serial production equipment cabin was more comfortable, been installed partially synchronized motor.
Was, and network service centers and technical stations on car servicing. Continuing work was carried out with foreign clients. Volkswagen has created a powerful network marketing vehicles.
Exporting a car which has received worldwide recognition, by the end of 1948 amounted to 50 thousand cars in the domestic market have been sold around 15 thousand.
By this time the plant was freed from Allied control of the British, and September 6, 1949 Volkswagen has been completely transferred to the Federal Republic of Germany.
A new stage of plant development, which, above all, there has been an intense build-up of production and increasing sales.
By 1950, there were produced 100 000 vehicles in 1951-th - 500 thousand cars, and August 5, 1955 On the solemn ceremony marking the launch of one millionth Volkswagen. The motto of this time in the life of the Germans became a popular phrase associated with Volkswagen, - «He is a member of my family."
Proven reliability for years, and reasonable price machinery increased export opportunities for the car. Volkswagen sold already in 150 countries around the world. Appear subsidiaries abroad - in 1953 in Brazil, in 1956 in South Africa in 1957 in Australia, in 1964 in Mexico (here since 1998, produced "bug", which became a hit season at the Hollywood stars ) and elsewhere.
The first modification of the standard Volkswagen-1200 in 1955 became a sports coupe Karmann-Ghia, which mark was composed of the names of firms created it: the body has designed an Italian company Ghia, and he was going to a German firm Karmann body in Osnabrück. In 1961, the program is supplemented with the new Volkswagen-1500 notchback engine and larger working volume, which were issued on the basis of regular performance coupe and convertible Karmann-Ghia.
Amazingly beautiful convertible Volkswagen <nobr> Karmann-Ghia </ nobr> was created with the participation of the Italian masters Carrozzeria Ghia.Amazingly beautiful convertible Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia was created with the participation of the Italian masters Carrozzeria Ghia.
In 1965 Volkswagen bought the company Daimler-Benz («Daimler-Benz"), a company Audi, creating concern Volkswagen-Audi, known by the acronym VAG. Later he entered the Spanish firm SEAT («CEAT") and the Czech factory Skoda («Skoda"). Currently, Audi AG - subsidiary of Volkswagen, which granted full independence.
The first result of the union in 1968, became the VW-411 air-cooled engine cylinder capacity of 1679 cc. The model has been very restrained by the buyer. In 1969, after joining the company NSI, the first Volkswagen with front-wheel drive, has received index "K-70."
It can be purchased with engine capacity of 1594 cc or 1795 In the years 1969-1975 in co-operation with Porsche sports cars were produced Volkswagen-Porsche-914 with 4 - and 6-cylinder engines in 1679 and 1991 cc In 1970, VW-181 came with a utilitarian open body, reminiscent of army vehicles in wartime. Its development in 1979 was an easy four-wheel drive army vehicle lltis.

Progenitor of a new generation of Volkswagen is front-wheel drive Passat, released in 1973. It is available in multiple versions with engine capacity of 1297 cc to 1588
The following year came racing Scirocco from the 3-door coupé and motors in volume from 1093 to 1588 cc, and a compact 3 - and 5-door hatchback Golf.
During the first 30 months of issue with rolled off one million cars Golf, Volkswagen turning into one of the largest car manufacturers in Europe. In 1979 he appeared convertible Golf, has always enjoyed great demand.
Model Golf I, which appeared in 1974, was the most successful: a modern, efficient, reliable, just such a model could shake up the international market. Golf marked a new era of competition in the production of a class of compact cars that are almost officially called the "Golf class".
If during the development of new models in 1973-1974 exceeded the losses of concern 800 million German marks, then in 1975 due to the large demand for them was to cover all costs. In just 3 years after the launch of Golf I was made one-millionth car of this brand. In 1983 saw the release of Golf II, and eight years later, in 1991, debuted Golf III, which, like the previous model, supported by a high reputation Golf.
For twenty-three years since registration was made 17 million three generations of the Golf. In 1995-1996, the Golf III led by the number of sales in Europe. In 1997, the debut of the new Golf IV, only the first few days after which it was enacted more than 60 000 orders.
At the beginning of 1975 presented a "little brother» Golf - three-door front-wheel drive Polo, similar in design car Audi-50 and are available with engine capacity of 895-1272 cc Inexpensive and practical Polo has also become very popular and has strengthened the financial position of Volkswagen. Based on the proposed three-volume version of the Polo notchback Derby.
Since 1980, Golf-based Jetta model was carried out with the body 4-door sedan. In 1992 it was replaced by a similar machine (already on the chassis of the third generation Golf), called Vento.
In 1981, the Passat and Scirocco have been upgraded, and a year later based on the Passat sedan appeared Santana, in which the equipment was part of the first five-cylinder gasoline engine working volume of S 1994 cc
In the period 1988-1995 was collected in a single program, the 3-door coupe Corrado, successor Scirocco.
Models Variant station wagon and convertible to the chassis of the third generation of machines continue to produce in 1993. Two models of Variant Syncro with 2,0 - and 2,9-liter engines have four-wheel drive chassis.
A compact model is the third generation Polo in 1994. Body 3 - and 5-door hatchback, sedan and Polo Classic 5-door station wagon Variant. Gasoline and diesel engines are 4 cylinder working volume of 1.0-1.9 liters capacity of 50-101 hp
Comfortable family Vento is equipped with the first generation of 4 - and 6-cylinder engines in the 1.6-2.8 liter capacity of 75-174 hp
Universal high capacity Sharan made since 1995 in 5-7-seat versions, the front-wheel drive and chassis. Power gasoline and diesel engines 1.9-2.8 liter working volume within 90-174 hp
Designed together with Ford minivan Volkswagen Sharan is a nearly complete copy of the Ford Galaxy. Differences - in posters, range of engines and the possibility to order all-wheel drive transmission for VW.Designed together with Ford minivan Volkswagen Sharan is a nearly complete copy of the Ford Galaxy. Differences - in posters, range of engines and the possibility to order all-wheel drive transmission for VW.
The family of fifth-generation Passat models was shown in 1996. Unlike previous machines, produced in 1988, they re-unified with the same type of Audi A4 and A6 models. This enabled the more powerful and advanced powertrains Audi longitudinal location.
Passat models are made with only sedan and 5-door hatchback and Variant equipped with 4 -, 5 - and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in the 1.6-2.8 liter capacity of 90-193 hp Several models in a complete Variant Syncro all-wheel drive chassis have.
In 1999 came a luxury sedan model BORA.
Several companies of Volkswagen in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and China produce a number of models that are significantly different from European production. Among these models Gol («Goal»), Parati («Paraty") and Santana («Santana"), created on the chassis Golf and Passat previous generations.
The Mexican branch continues production of the «1,6 i» such as "Beetle" with a 1.6-liter engine, 44 hp, and from 1998 started to produce a fundamentally new front-drive car Beetle («Beatle") chassis models Golf, looks like the famous "Beetle".
At the present time the concern Volkswagen - one of the largest sales volume in the world, has factories in 15 countries, manufactures products under five brands Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT. Since 1998, concern owned brand Bentley. In addition to passenger cars, the plant also carries out production of trucks, vans. The structure of the Volkswagen Group includes: Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, SEAT SA, Škoda Auto («Skoda Auto»), Volkswagen-Saxonia GmbH («Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH"). And more recently, and Porsche.