For our Volkswagen enthusiasts, here are some “fun facts” about VW’s:
Volkswagen cars are built with their owners in mind. In fact, the word Volkswagen actually means the “people’s car” in German.
Originally, “VDub” was actually a parody tagline, used in a short series of commercials.
Volkswagen was originally created in 1936. In the early 1930s, the German auto industry was still largely composed of luxury models, and the average German could barely afford anything a motorcycle, let alone a car. As a result, only one out of 50 people in Germany actually owned a car. Seeking a potential new market, some car makers began “peoples’ car” projects.
Erwin Komenda developed the body of the prototype, which was recognizable as the Beetle we know it today. It was one of the first cars designed with the aid of a wind tunnel. The car designs were put through rigorous tests, and achieved a record-breaking million miles of testing before being deemed finished.
Volkswagen advertisements became as popular as the car, using crisp layouts and witty copy to lure the younger, sophisticated consumers with whom the car became associated. Even though it was almost universally known as the Beetle or The Bug, it was never officially labeled as such by the manufacturer, instead referred to as the “Type 1”.
Although the car was becoming outdated, during the 1960s and early 1970s, American exports, innovative advertising, and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T.
On 17 February 1972 the 15,007,034th Beetle was sold. Volkswagen could now claim the world production record for the most-produced, single make of car in history.