1934
The development of the Beetle took place from 1934 - 1938
by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche. The first 2 prototypes were
completed in February 1936, and on October 12th 1936
further 3 prototypes were ready for testing. As manufacturers companies as
Adler, Auto-Union, Daimler-Benz and Opel were mentioned.
Actually Daimler-Benz delivered 2 bodies for early
prototypes, and later produced 30 prototypes.1936
The first 3 prototypes of the Volkswagen Type
1completed and ready for testing.
1938
The VW factory, which was made to produce the Beetle, was
founded near Fallersleben northeast of Hannover on May
26th 1938 - the town of Wolfsburg did not exist at this
time.
The factory was scheduled to have a yearly output of
500.000 vehicles.
1940
The factory started deliverance of the
"Kubelwagen", based on the beetle of which no
production has taken place so far, to the German
Wehrmacht. 2 years later the "Schwimmwagen", a
amphibious car with 4-wheel drive, went into production.
A beetle with 4-wheel drive, known as the
"Kommandeurwagen", was also produced.
At the end of WW II, around 70.000 of all models had been
produced.
1943
The VW factory took itīs first allied bombing, and
during the remainder of the war the factory was bombed
several times and evidently destroyed.
1945
Production of the Beetle commenced in 1945, with the
company under first American and then British
supervision. 713 units were produced under difficult
circumstances, and besides 2 all were delivered to the
occupying forces.
1946
14th of October 10.000 had been produced.
1947
The first 56 Type 1īs were exported to the Netherlands
through Ben Pon.
1948
The 25.000th vehicle was produced in May 1948. Export to
other European countries started.
1949
The first 2 type 1īs were shipped to the United States.
The Transporter prototype was introduced. The VW factory
was officially handed over to Germany.
1950
The 100.000th vehicle was produced.
1952
Sales organization in Canada established.
1953
The 500.000th vehicle was produced. Volkswagen do Brasil
established.
1955
In 1955 the 1 million mark was reached. Volkswagen of
America established in New Brunswick in July, and that
year some 35.000 vehicles were sold in the US.
1957
Volkswagen Australia established.
1962
In 1955 the 5 million mark was reached.
1964
Auto Union (Audi) was taken over. Volkswagen de Mexico
established.
1967
In 1955 the 10 million mark was reached.
1968
The model 411 was introduced.
1972
With 15.007.034 Type 1īs produced on February 17th, VW
had beaten Fordīs production record for the T-model.
1973
Volkswagen Nigeria established.
1974
The successor for the Type 1, the Golf was introduced. At
the same time the Scirocco and the Passat was introduced.
1978
The last German build "Beetle" was made on the
19th of January 1978, but production carried on in
Mexico.
In total more than 21 millions has been produced.
1986
SEAT in Spain was taken over.
1991
Skoda was taken over.
1998
Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini was taken over.
2002
With 21.517.415 VW Golfīs produced on June 25th, VW had
beaten their own production record for the Type 1.
2003
Volkswagen employees around 300.000 workers on 43
factories around the world.
|
