COMPANY

“Das Auto”, says Volkswagen’s latest marketing tag line, conveying in two words the message the company wants to send out to the rest of the world- that when it comes to automobiles, Volkswagen is the ultimate, The Car. The name Volkswagen itself means ‘People’s Car’- a label that many manufacturers have aspired to be identified with, but few have achieved with the degree of success that Volkswagen has.

Volkswagen is undoubtedly one of the most recognised car manufacturers in the world, with its strong presence in all parts of the globe. Volkswagen has assembly plants in countries like Germany, China, India, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa and the United States.

The original and biggest selling Volkswagen brand has acquired the marquee of the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT and Škoda. Besides, it also owns the truck manufacturer Scania.

Founded by the Nazi trade union in 1937, the Volkswagen Group wanted to reach out to the new potential market of the masses rather than cater to those looking for luxury models. Since the average German could barely afford a motorcycle, let alone a luxury car, there was a distinct need for the People’s Car and the genesis of the Volkswagen Program. This made it possible for average citizens to buy a car at the price of a motorcycle. This car came with a distinctive round shape and air-cooled, flat-four, rear-mounted engine- the inimitable Beetle.

As was the norm during those times, Volkswagen developed military vehicles during the War years. In 1945, its heavily-bombed factory was captured by the Americans and handed over to the British, who decided to take the VW Beetle to the UK. Following the war, a senior manager of Opel, Heinrich Nordhoff was appointed to run the factory in 1949. Soon enough, Volkswagen established its footprint in the US and boosted its sales in the country.

In 1973, the company recorded sales of nearly 16 million cars, a peak before sales dropped drastically and necessitated impressive new models. In response, the company produced Passat (a fastback version of Audi 80) in 1973, Scirocco and Golf in 1974 and Polo in 1975, a popular three-door hatchback.