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Volkswagen, one of the world's most iconic car manufacturers, has a history filled
with surprising twists, political intrigue, and remarkable engineering feats. From its
origins as a state-sponsored project in Nazi Germany to becoming a global
automotive giant, the story of Volkswagen is anything but ordinary.
1. Volkswagen Was Originally a Nazi Propaganda Project
One of the most shocking facts about Volkswagen’s origins is that it was directly
tied to Adolf Hitler’s regime. In the 1930s, Germany was recovering from economic
turmoil, and Hitler wanted to boost national morale by making car ownership
accessible to the average citizen.
The idea was to create a "people’s car" (Volkswagen in German) that was
affordable, reliable, and mass-produced. Hitler enlisted Ferdinand Porsche, a
renowned automotive engineer, to design the vehicle that would later become the
Volkswagen Beetle.
While the company’s early history is tainted by its Nazi connections, it’s important
to note that Volkswagen distanced itself from this past after World War II and
reinvented itself as a symbol of post-war recovery and innovation.
2. The Beetle Was Inspired by a Jewish Engineer’s Design
Although Ferdinand Porsche is credited with designing the Volkswagen Beetle, the
concept was heavily influenced by Josef Ganz, a Jewish engineer who had been
working on a small, affordable car in the 1920s.
Ganz’s designs, including the "Maikäfer" (May Beetle) prototype, featured a rear-
engine layout and aerodynamic shape—key elements that Porsche later
incorporated into the Beetle. Tragically, Ganz was persecuted by the Nazis and fled
Germany, receiving no recognition for his contributions until decades later.
3. The Name "Volkswagen" Was Almost Something Else
Before settling on Volkswagen, the company considered several other names for its
"people’s car" project, including:
"KdF-Wagen" (Kraft durch Freude Wagen) – Named after the Nazi leisure
organization that promoted the car.
"Porsche Type 60" – A reference to Ferdinand Porsche’s internal model designation.
After World War II, the British military administration renamed it "Volkswagen" to
disassociate it from Nazi propaganda.
4. The First Volkswagen Factory Used Forced Labor
One of the darkest chapters in Volkswagen’s history is its reliance on forced labor
during World War II. The original Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg (then called
"Stadt des KdF-Wagens") used thousands of forced laborers, including prisoners of
war and concentration camp inmates, to produce military vehicles for the Nazi war
effort.
After the war, Volkswagen apologized and compensated victims, but this remains a
controversial part of its legacy.
5. The British Army Saved Volkswagen from Destruction
At the end of World War II, the Volkswagen factory was in ruins, and the Allies
considered dismantling it for reparations. However, British Army Major Ivan Hirst
saw potential in the Beetle and convinced his superiors to keep the factory
running.
Under Hirst’s leadership:
The factory was repaired.
Civilian production of the Beetle resumed.
Volkswagen began exporting cars to Europe.
Without Hirst’s intervention, Volkswagen might not exist today.
6. The Beetle Almost Didn’t Sell in America—At First
When Volkswagen first tried to sell the Beetle in the U.S. in 1949, it was a
commercial failure. Americans preferred large, powerful cars, and the tiny, odd-
looking Beetle struggled to gain traction.
However, by the late 1950s, clever advertising campaigns (like the famous "Think
Small" ads) repositioned the Beetle as a reliable, economical, and countercultural
vehicle. Sales skyrocketed, making the U.S. one of Volkswagen’s biggest markets.
7. Volkswagen Was Almost Given Away for Free
In an effort to promote car ownership, the Nazi regime introduced a savings
scheme where workers could buy a KdF-Wagen (Beetle) by saving 5 Reichsmarks
per week. However, none of the participants ever received a car because
production shifted to military vehicles during the war.
After the war, some savers demanded compensation, leading to legal battles.
8. The Wolfsburg Factory Is One of the Largest in the World
Volkswagen’s headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, is home to the biggest car
manufacturing plant in the world. The factory spans over 6.5 million square meters
and produces thousands of vehicles daily.
Fun fact: The factory has its own power plant, railway, and even an on-site fire
brigade.
9. Volkswagen Owns 12 Major Car Brands
While Volkswagen started with just the Beetle, it has since grown into a global
automotive empire, owning brands such as:
Audi
Porsche
Lamborghini
Bentley
Bugatti
Skoda
SEAT
This makes Volkswagen Group one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.
10. The Beetle Outlasted Almost Every Other Car Model
The original Volkswagen Beetle had an unprecedented production run of 65 years
(1938–2003), with over 21 million units sold. It became a cultural icon, appearing in
movies like "Herbie the Love Bug" and inspiring generations of car enthusiasts.
Even after its discontinuation, the Beetle remains one of the most beloved cars in
history.
From Controversial Beginnings to Global Success
Volkswagen’s founding story is a mix of innovation, tragedy, and resilience. From
its Nazi-era origins to its post-war revival and global expansion, the company has
undergone a remarkable transformation.
Today, Volkswagen is not only a leader in traditional automotive manufacturing
but also a pioneer in electric vehicles (EVs), with models like the ID. series shaping
the future of transportation.
Did any of these facts surprise you? The next time you see a Volkswagen on the
road, remember—it’s more than just a car; it’s a piece of history.
Would you like to know more about Volkswagen’s electric vehicle revolution? Let
us know in the comments!
