RENAULT

Renault, the world famous manufacturer of lorries, vans, buses, tractors, and cars, was founded in
1899 as the ‘Société Renault Frères’ by the Renault brothers, Louis, Marcel and Fernand. However,
much of the credit for starting the legend of Renault history goes to Louis Renault, who was an
aspiring individual and had already designed several car models before joining his brothers. Take a
look at the Renault Logo, history timeline, and list of latest models below.

In fact, he is the person who built the first Renault Car, known as the ‘Renault Voiturette 1CV’ (Picture
Below) in 1898. The car was incredibly unique and had a design that had never been seen before. It is
said that when Louis was giving his father’s friend a test drive, he was so impressed by the tiny car
and how it operated that he wanted to purchase it right away, and so he did.

Louis got motivated and then decided to start his own company, which thus lead to the
establishment of ‘Société Renault Frères’. In 1901, Louis, along with his brothers, built the Voiturette
Renault Type D Série B and two years later, the company began manufacturing its own engines. And
this marked the beginning of a prosperous French car manufacturer.

Soon enough, the company began participating in motor racing. However, after Marcel died in an
accident at the Paris-Madrid Race, Louis left racing. Regardless, the company remained involved and
won the first Grand Prix in 1906. The same year, Fernand was forced to retire due to health reasons
and Louis became responsible for the entire company.
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF RENAULT
1905-1940

In 1905, the company made its first major sale when Société des Automobiles placed an order for
Renault AG1 cars to create a fleet of taxis. Two years later, Renault became the leading manufacturer
of taxis in French and became the best-selling brand in New York. In 1908, Renault became the
largest manufacturer in France by selling more than 3,575 units.

The World War I years, between 1914 and 1918, saw the company branch out into military
production. Therefore, Renault began manufacturing lorries, airplanes, ammunition, and the F-17
tank for the French military. After the victorious end to the war, Louis was honored by the Allied
Nations and awarded the ‘Legion of Honor’

In 1920, the company signed its first distribution contract with Gustave Gueudet and four years later
Renault adopted the diamond shape as its logo. In 1929, the company established its ‘Ile Seguin
Plant’ and the brand became popular in 49 different countries. In the 30s, Renault began
manufacturing diesel engines for its commercial engines but got hit by the Great Depression in 1936.

Therefore, the company was forced to sell its airplane and foundry divisions to focus specifically on
its core business, the automotive industry. Towards the end of the 30s, Louis managed to solve all
disputes, but more than 2,000 people lost their jobs.
1940-1980

The 40s proved to be an incredibly difficult time for Renault with the constant pressure from Nazi
Germany and the French Government misunderstanding Louis Renault for manufacturing vehicles for
the Germans. In 1944, Louis was arrested and then sent to a psychiatric hospital. In October of the
same year, he passed away which resulted in the company being nationalized.

Post World War, Renault then offered its rear engine 4CV model in 1946. And between 1951 and
1960, the company offered a 2-liter 4-cylinder vehicle known as Renault Fregate. It was during this
time that the Renault Dauphine also made its debut and helped with the expansion of the company
in Africa and North America, where it became one of the best-selling cars.

In 1966, Renault achieved greater success with the introduction of the more modern and up-market
Renault 16. That same year, the company introduced the Renault 6, which perfectly fitted in the small
car category. In 1970, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary under Pierre Lefaucheux, who took
over in 1945.

1980-2000+
In 1981, the Renault Model 9 won the European Car of the Year award. Renault Cars had undergone
significant style changes during this time and numerous hit models, such as the Renault 5 Turbo and
Renault Fuego, were introduced. In 1996, following the failure of the Renault and Volvo merger, the
company was privatized.

In 2000, the company again became the top manufacturer in France and won the European Car of
the Year Award in 2005. In 2011, the company sold more than 40,000 electric cars and won
numerous motorsport races, including the World Rally Championship.

RENAULT AUTOMOBILES TODAY

In 2011, Renault was ranked as the third best automobile manufacturer in the European Market and
ninth in the world. Now, the company has a yearly production rate of 2,704,675 units and
manufactures trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles. Additionally, Renault is one of the most
well-known brands in motor sports, particularly in Formula 1 Racing.

INTERESTING NEWS
o Renault was the first automobile manufacturer to win the Grand Prix held in 1906.
o The Renault Spider was so fun to drive that the non-UK models were sold without a windshield.
o The Renault RS01 was the first ever turbocharged Formula One Car. However, due to its
unreliability, the car was given the nickname ‘the yellow steam kettle’.
o In 1994, Renault introduced the Escape FT to celebrate its participation in Formula One. The car
was incredibly fast and it could go zero to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
o The fastest Formula One Car built by Renault was the 1978 Alpine A443 which had a top speed
of 236 mph but used a 2.1-Liter V6 Turbo Engine.
 Citroen
Automobiles Citroen S.A was founded by Andre-Gustave Citroen in 1919. Andre was a French
industrialist and freemason and used to mass produce armaments. However, in the mid-1910s, he
developed an interest in the automobile industry. After World War I, he was left with an empty
factory, which he then used to set up a company named after himself, Citroen. That’s how the
Citroen company started, continue reading to learn more about the Citroen Logo, history timeline,
and list of latest models.

CITROEN LOGO

Citroen’s first vehicle was the Type A (Picture Below), which was released with an original advert. It
was a classic car with a four-cylinder engine and a top speed of 64kph. Soon enough, the vehicle
became a success in the French automobile market and this marked the beginning of a successful
company.
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF CITROEN
1920-1960

In 1920, Citroen began mass-producing vehicles with simple designs which served the growing
automobile market incredibly well. In just one year on the market, the company managed to sell
more than 10,000 vehicles. In 1921, Citroen released its second model, the B2, which proved to be a
more powerful version of Type A.

Two years later, Citroen managed to expand its production rate to 50000 units and by 1927 (just 8
years from its inception) became the 4th largest automobile manufacturer in the world. In 1931, the
company began manufacturing commercial vehicles and introduced the Citroen C4F and three years
later, Citroen introduced the world’s first ever front-wheel drive car, the Traction Avant.
Towards the end of the 30s, a prototype of one of the most successful vehicles of Citroen, the 2CV,
made its debut. However, due to the 40s bombing on the Javel Factory, the company couldn’t
continue production. Nevertheless, Citroen managed to hide prototypes of the 2CV, which were later
manufactured in 1948.

It is said more than 5 million units of the 2CV were built. Towards the end of the 40s, Citroen
presented the Type HZ, which was a compact van. Additionally, the company managed to introduce
gas as an option on most of its vehicles due to the petrol crisis. In the 50s, Citroen released a van
version of the famous 2CV, which could deliver 100 km per 5 liters.

A year later, the Citroen 15 CV made its debut, which became the official car of the French
Government. It was during this time that Citroen vehicles underwent significant style changes and
looked more modern. By 1958, the company ended production of the Traction Avant after
manufacturing more than 750,000 vehicles.
1960-1980

The company made an amazing start to the new decade by launching the DS 19 in Paris. It was one
of the first Citroen cars to be offered in a wide range of customization options and 76 different color
combinations. In 1964, the company suffered a major loss with the death of Flaminio Bertoni, who
was the main designer of Citroen and the man behind the legendary DS 19 and Ami 6.

In 1969, Citroen once again left the competition behind and introduced the first French production
model to feature electronic fuel injection, the DS 21. Two years later, the Citroen GS won the ‘Car of
the Year’ award and throughout the 70s numerous other successful models were also produced and
launched. These included Citroen DS 23, Citroen Ami Super, Citroen CX, Dyane Caban, and CX 2400
GTI.

In 1976, Fiat acquired 30% of Citroen and then formed the parent company, PSA Peugeot Citroen,
which is now the second-largest European automaker and ninth largest by unit production. In 1979,
the seven-speed Mehari 4×4 made its debut.

1980-2000+
In the 80s, Citroen gained, even more, repute worldwide with the introduction of the classic Visa II
and Charleston. Two years later, the Citroen Visa GT made its debut and by 1985, the company
decided to change its old logo with a new logo in red and white. In the 90s, began production of
electric vehicles and introduced the Citela, which was an exceptionally beautiful electric prototype.

With the start of the new century, Citroen introduced its famous line of C models, such as the C1, C2,
C3, C4, C5, and C6, all of which became immediate successes in the automobile market. However, by
2010, sales of Citroen cars reduced significantly. Regardless, the company continued production of
vehicles and introduced the Citroen C-Zero in 2012, which was the first electric car to complete a
round-the-world tour.

CITROEN AUTOMOBILES TODAY

Currently, Citroen is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in France, but isn’t exactly doing
well in other markets. In fact, just recently the parent company has run into severe financial
difficulties, resulting in the Dongfeng Motor Corporation purchasing 14% of the company’s shares.

INTERESTING NEWS
o Citroen has won numerous awards throughout its history. These include three European Car of
the Year awards, eight Auto Europa awards, and one United States Motor Trend Car of the Year
award.
o From 1925 to 1935, Citroen used the Eiffel Tower as a commercial billboard to boost sales. No
other brand in history has ever used the legendary monument as an advertising medium.
o Andre-Gustave Citroen is known to be the first person to introduce industrial mass production
of vehicles outside the US.
o Citroen is one of the most challenging brands in motorsport history with over three different
official championships from the International Automobile Federation.
o During the 50s, demand for the Citroen 2CV van grew so much that a six-year waiting list for
delivery was created.
 Peugeot
Peugeot has been producing a range of fantastic driver-friendly vehicles since the inception of its
automotive division. The history of Peugeot started when the company itself was founded 200 years
back in 1810 as a coffee mill company named ‘Peugeot Frères’ by Jean-Pierre II and Jean-Frederic.
The business ran smoothly for a couple of decades until 1830 when it shifted its attention to
producing bicycles. Continue reading to learn more about the Peugeot Logo, history timeline and list
of latest models.

PEUGEOT LOGO

Decades later, Armand Peugeot introduced the famous ‘Le Grand BI’ penny-farthing. It soon gained a
lot of popularity and the bicycle business was blooming. However, in the 1880s, Armand seemed to
develop an interest in producing steam-powered carriages. After meeting with Gottlieb Daimler and
several other automotive geniuses in history, he was convinced of its viability.

Therefore, in 1882, Peugeot shifted to automobile manufacturing and in 1889, with the help of
designer Leon Serpollet, introduced the first Peugeot automobile, a three-wheeled steam-powered
car. However, steam power was heavy and required lengthy warm up. Therefore, Armand was forced
to work on something different and in 1890 he introduced Peugeot’s first petrol-driven 4-wheeler
(picture above).
The vehicle was given the name ‘Type 2’ and was equipped with a Daimler Engine. Soon enough,
Peugeot introduced the Type 12 which was the first vehicle to use rubber tires rather than pneumatic
ones. Over the years, numerous innovations have been made to Peugeot vehicles. For instance, the
steering wheel was adopted on Type 36 and the engine was placed in the front in the Type 48.

IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF PEUGEOT

In 1900, Peugeot also began manufacturing motorcycles and produced half the cars built in France,
such as the 5 HP, 6.5 HP, 8 HP, and 12 HP. A few years later, Peugeot released two-cylinder and six-
cylinder engines and decided to open a new plant at Sochaux (the main plant of the
company to date). During the 1910s, Peugeot became a popular name in racing.

In 1913, Peugeot secured a win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and two years later won the
French GP and the Vanderbilt Cup. However, due to the impending war, Peugeot was forced to cease
production of race cars and passenger cars and began manufacturing military vehicles and firearms.
Nevertheless, in 1919, Peugeot resumed car production.

In the 20s, Peugeot began participating in racing and won several races, including the Touring Car
Grand Prix in 1923 and 1925. In addition, Peugeot introduced the famous Type 153 and in 1929
released the famous Peugeot 201, which was the first vehicle without ‘Type’ in its name. At the start
of the new decade, Peugeot introduced the 402 BL, which was the first retractable hardtop
convertible.

Other models introduced throughout the 30s include the Peugeot 402, 302, and 202, all of which
underwent significant style changes and offered a rather modern look as compared to other vehicles
manufactured by the companies at the time.
1940-1980

In 1941, Peugeot introduced the VLV, a small electric car, as a solution to fuel restrictions. However,
due to the Second World War, the company was forced to cease production of cars. Regular
production began again in mid 1946 with the introduction of the Peugeot 203, which set new sales
records and remained in production till the 60s.

In the 50s, Peugeot didn’t release many new vehicles and went on selling previous models.
Therefore, the 50s were a dull time for the company. Regardless, the new Peugeot 403 and 404
proved to be successful and even won the East African Safari Rally for four years, from 1963 to 1968.
In 1974, Peugeot purchased 30% shares of Citroen.

A year later, Peugeot took over Citroen completely and formed the joint parent company, PSA
(Peugeot Societe Anonyme) group, which allowed both companies to retain their separate identities.
Towards the end of the 70s, Peugeot even controlled the Maserati brand, but disposed it later on.

1980-2000+
In the 80s, Peugeot managed to launch numerous successful vehicles including the Peugeot 205
supermini, which is credited for boosting the sales of the company significantly during that time. The
car won numerous awards for styling, handling and drive comfort. However, in the 90s, Peugeot
began experiencing sale troubles in the US and Canada.

Therefore, this forced the company to cease production in both countries, thus resulting in more
problems. In 2000, company sales had dropped significantly and Peugeot was forced to close its
Ryton manufacturing facility in 2006. In 2014, the Peugeot family finally decided to reduce its
holdings from 25% to 14% in an effort to bring the company back to its feet.

PEUGEOT AUTOMOBILES TODAY

Now, Peugeot has created a joint-venture with Dongfeng Motors in an attempt to revive the
company. Regardless, the company still exists as one of the largest automobile manufacturers with a
yearly production output of 1,739,000. Additionally, the company has three different subsidiaries:
Peugeot Motorcycles, Peugeot Bicycles, and Peugeot Sport and over 20 factories and outsourced
plants.

INTERESTING NEWS
o Peugeot is the oldest, continuously-running manufacturer that has history dating back to 1810.
o The Sochaux Football Club has been sponsored by Peugeot for years. Interestingly, the club was
founded by a Peugeot family member.
o Peugeot is responsible for providing engines to Prost, Jordan, McLaren and other famous
Formula One teams.
o Peugeot has received many international awards for its vehicles, including four European Car of
the Year awards, two Semperit Irish Car of the Year awards, five Car of the Year awards in Italy,
and nine Car of the Year awards in Spain.
 VOLVO GROUP (1927-1999)
The Volvo Group began in 1927 when the first ever Volvo car series, the Volvo ÖV4 (also known as
“Jakob”), was produced on the island of Hisingen, Göteborg in Sweden. That year, 280 cars were
manufactured. From a small local automobile industry, Volvo has since developed and established
itself to be a worldwide known brand. Heavy trucks, buses, and even construction equipment
became the core of its production. Volvo means “I roll” in Latin, which has since been deemed an
appropriate moniker for a car brand.

Volvo garnered international notice after releasing its first truck, the “Series 1” in 1928. By 1930,
Volvo had already sold 639 cars. The export of trucks to Europe soon began although the cars
became only recognized outside Sweden after the Second World War. The first bus, B1, was then
launched in 1934. By the beginning of the 1940s, aircraft engines were added to it widening range of
products.

In 1944, the Volvo PV444 passenger car was presented, though it took three more years for this
model to enter production. In the beginning, Volvo cars were sold locally and in Europe. The first
Volvo cars arrived in America in 1955 after a wholesaler distributed cars in California, then in Texas.
This proved to be the notable start of Volvo cars being known in the American market. The following
year, Volvo started their importation of cars in the United States. The North American continent has
since provided Volvo with their main outlet since then.

FORD (1999-2010)
In the 1980s, Volvo’s best-selling car in the United Kingdom was the Dutch-built Volvo 340, which
was created after Volvo acquired DAF’s (Dutch company) passenger car division. The company sold
its car division to Ford Motor Company in 1999 for $6.45 billion where it was placed within the
Premier Automotive Group with other luxury brands: Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin. Volvo
Car’s collaboration and tenure with Ford saw the creation of Volvo S80 and Volvo XC60, which
received international recognition. This was achieved after Ford opted to make restructuring plans
for the car brand.
GEELY AUTOMOBILE(2010-PRESENT)
Ford then offered Volvo Cars for sale after a global economic crisis plagued the United States in
2008. Swedish officials also became deeply concerned with the possibility that Ford would file for
bankruptcy after troublesome mass layoffs. The chosen buyer was Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the
parent company of Chinese motor manufacturer Geely Automobile and the deal was finalized in
2010.

Throughout the years and despite transfers of ownership, Volvo cars have been known for being
solid and reliable with its safety engineering as one of its primal cores. Volvo actually designed the
first ever rear-facing child seat in 1964. It then introduced its own booster seat in 1978. In the 1990s,
safety innovation continued with Volvo. Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) was introduced in 1991
and was the first car company to introduce side airbags in 1994. By 1995, this became a standard
equipment in all models.

Spending decades in the automobile industry, the Volvo brand is still a world-class, well-known
brand that animates maximum security and consistent technological innovation.

HERE ARE VOLVO’S CURRENT MODELS:

The All-New XC90 is made notable for its Park Assist Pilot, which utilizes 12 ultrasonic sensors to help
you park, either perpendicular or parallel. There’s also a 360-degree camera that gives you a bird’s
eye view of the entire area around your car through the digital display. This way, you’ll feel more at
ease when facing any crucial scenario. XC90 boasts three kinds: D5 AWD (225 hp) at 5 seat, D5 AWD
(225 hp) aut 7 seat, and T6 AWD (320 hp) aut 5 seat with the first two using the Four-cylinder twin
turbo-charged diesel engine with 225 hp and 470 Nm torque; while the third uses a Four-cylinder
supercharged and turbocharged engine with 320 hp and torque of 400 Nm. Volvo’s XC90 has
promising accessories, which include a tech matt black exterior trim, integrated exhaust pipes, front
deco frame, stainless steel skid plates, and to top it off, it also has an integrated running boards with
illumination.
XC70

Volvo’s XC70 boasts a bigger ergonomic front seats, extra legroom for enjoyment and convenience,
as well as a heated steering wheel for a complete package. This model uses three engine types:
D5244T17, D5244T12, and D4204T5. The first two uses Five-cylinder turbodiesel with 420 Nm torque.
The third one uses Four-cylinder turbo charged diesel with start/stop technology and 400 Nm
torque. However, both the D5244T12 and D4204T5 has 181 hp while D5244T17 has 163 hp. The
glossy blackness of XC70 adds to its luxurious presence and with its sleek design, it also provides a
sporty edge among car enthusiasts. It also features a Park Assist Camera, Rear seat entertainment,
and Sensus Navigation.

XC60

For starter, XC60 is an award-winning SUV with bold exterior design, versatile performance,
maximum comfort, and top-tier security performance. With all these, the XC60 can more than
manage the most demanding needs of drivers and even road conditions. The XC60 is also for
sparking the road enthusiasm in every car owner with its sleek design and its new sport-tuned
chassis. It also boasts the Intellisafe feature. It differs in three engines: 2.0 Liter 4-Cylinder,
Turbocharged, Direct-Injection, 2.5 Liter, 5-Cylinder, Turbocharged, and 2.0 Liter, 4-Cylinder,
Supercharged & Turbocharged, Direct Injection, with 240 hp, 250 hp, and 302 hp, respectively.
S80

Volvo’s S80 presents IntelliSafe, a safety feature that protects car owners from unexpected glitches
on the road like a sudden stop from the vehicle in front of you. This also assists you in keeping you
in your lane and help you park in tight spaces, making the transportation aspect of your life way
easier. S80 is designed to meet the utmost comfort every car owner seeks to have. As Volvo’s
flagship luxury sedan, it sophisticated design is part of what is is as a vehicle made for a worthwhile
driving experience. With a 240 hp, 258 lb-ft torque, and a seating capacity of u to five persons, S80 is
truly magnificent in its own right.

S60

302 HP, top-tier design suspension and more astute steering are only three of S60’s superior
features. For this reason alone, it is considered as the most dynamic Volvo sedan to date. This car is
also equipped with essential technology, making anyone’s driving experience way more convenient
and informative. On board are the Wi-Fi and 3D Navigation. Add-on features such as Blind Spot
Information and Adaptive Cruise Control guarantee a more relaxing driving experience. Just like
other Volvo models, the S60 uses the Intellisafe feature for a maximized security.
S60 CROSS COUNTRY

Reflecting the name it bears, S60 Cross Country has a sporty presence combined with elegance, its
muscular atmosphere hard to miss. It is designed in a way that is more efficient in all weather and on
all kinds of terrain. Its robust interior features makes it highly possible to surpass road challenges
anytime, anywhere, while still driving with style. It is a combination of adventure and elegance at its
best. The high profile tires of the S60 Cross Country secures comfort and protection for the
adventure-spirited drivers while the torque vectoring and corner traction contro improve the sporty
side of driving. This model features a 250 hp horsepower and 266 lb-ft torque.

S90

THE ALL-NEW S90 FEATURES THE SECOND GENERATION PILOT ASSIST TECHNOLOGY WITH IT
BEING THE ONLY VEHICLE IN THE US WITH SEMI-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING TECHNOLOGY
STANDARD. EXPERIENCE CONTROL AT ITS BEST. THE CAR WILL DO AS YOU SAY WITH COMMANDS
THAT INCLUDE ASSIST STEERING, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, AND BRAKING UP TO 80 MPH.
THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT. IT ALLOWS DRIVERS TO ENJOY ALL IT HAS TO OFFER WITH
GUARANTEED FULL CONTROL. ITS DRIVER-ORIENTED CHASSIS PROVIDES COMFORT AND
CONFIDENCE ALL AT THE SAME TIME. S90 COMBINES NATURAL MATERIALS WITH WORLD-CLASS
MODERN TECHNOLOGY THAT BRINGS THE VOLVO BRAND INTO THE NEXT LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE
AND SOPHISTICATION. IT BOASTS A HORSEPOWER OF 250 HP AND TORQUE OF 258 LB-FT FOR THE
TURBOCHARGED ENGINE AND A HORSEPOWER OF 316 HP AND TORQUE OF 295 LB-FT FOR THE
TURBOCHARGED & SUPERCHARGED ENGINE.
V60 CROSS COUNTRY

The V60 Cross Country manages to pull off a rugged design while maintaining its lucrative nature. Its
high ground clearance provides both comfort and capacity to experience smooth driving even on
rougher surfaces. It also boasts a Haldex All-Wheel-Drive, which enables the optimization of the
allocation of power for great traction regardless of unpredictable weather situations, and the Hill
Descent Control for those tricky slippery slopes. The V60 Cross Country offers a leather Sports seats
that is capable of providing comfort in its greatest extent to both drivers and passengers. Its
connectivity features with Sensus Connect is also something that makes V60 Cross Country the ideal
mode of transportation. It uses the 2.5 Liter, 5-Cylinder, Turbocharged Engine, Horsepower of 250 hp
and Torque of 266 lb-ft.
 Volkswagen
Volkswagen, one of the best automobile manufacturers in the world, traces its origins way back to
1904. It was during this time that word began to spread throughout Germany regarding a ‘people’s
car’. Soon enough, the idea of this ‘people’s car’ reached other manufacturers around the world and
Ford eventually began producing prototypes. This is how the Volkswagen history began, with a goal
to make cars affordable for masses. Learn more about the Volkswagen Logo, history timeline and
their latest models.

VOLKSWAGEN LOGO

Years passed, but no one could successfully deliver the idea of a ‘people’s car’. By 1925, an 18-year
old Hungarian technology student, Bela Barenyl, submitted a chassis design for the car. It is said that
he was the first person to conceive the basic design of the Beetle car. Regardless, his design didn’t
go into production. Instead, Adolf Hitler approved Ferdinand Porsche’s design for the car in 1933.

Since ‘people’s car’ meant ‘Volkswagen’ in German auto industry, most of the cars introduced by
Adler, Ford, Opel, Mercedes, and BMW were marketed to the public as Volkswagen. However, these
cars weren’t a brand or marquee. They were introduced as a classification. In 1937, the German
Labour Front established the “Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH”.

The company was later renamed to Volkswagenwerk GmbH in 1938. Therefore, from a classification,
Volkswagen had now become a renowned car brand under the supervision of the Central
Government of Germany. But since the company didn’t have any factory at that time, production of
the vehicles began in 1939. Due to the war, the factory could only produce a few vehicles.
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF VOLKSWAGEN
1940-1960

By the 40s, Volkswagen shifted its interest into producing military vehicles. It was during this time
that the famous Type 82 Kubelwagen, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Bucket Car’, utility vehicle was
introduced. Additionally, the Schwimmwagen also made its debut, which was an incredibly powerful
military jeep used to equip the German forces.

According to German historians, during the war, most of the vehicles manufactured at the
Volkswagen plant used slave labor. It is said that 15,000 slaves helped the company manufacture
military vehicles and this meant almost 80% of the company’s wartime workforce was free labor. In
1948, Volkswagen became an important economic and symbolic element in Germany and started
gaining success.

That same year, the company recruited Heinrich Nordhoff (senior manager at Opel) to run the
factory. In 1949, Volkswagen introduced its famous ‘split rear window’ sedan, which immediately
gained a lot of success around Germany. Four years later, the Volkswagen Cabriolet made its debut
and the production of the Type 1 Beetle exceeded one million.

The revenue from the sales was later used to build a new 32-acre factory in 1957. Two years later, the
‘Think Small’ ad campaign was introduced, allowing Volkswagen to lure a whole different niche of
young sophisticated consumers, looking to buy their first fuel-efficient and budget-friendly vehicle.

1960-1980
By the 60s, Volkswagen decided to expand its product line and introduced four different Type 3
models. These models gained a lot of attention and immediately proved successful, similar to the VW
Type 1. By 1968, the company had gained so much fame that Disney released the ‘Love Bug’ film
about Herbie, which was a VW Bettle that had a mind of its own.

Towards the end of the 60s, Volkswagen merged two previous purchased automotive companies,
namely NSU Motorenwerke and Auto Union. This merger of the two companies led to the creation of
Audi as we know today. Therefore, Volkswagen became the owner and introduced Audi as its own
luxury car brand.

By the 70s, Volkswagen’s growing reputation for reliability helped the company outrank the previous
record holder, the Ford Model T, with regards to overall sales and in 1972 the 15,007,034th Beetle was
sold. Therefore, Volkswagen could now claim the record of producing the most units of a single-
make in history. By 1973, the total production of Volkswagen exceeded 16 million.

It was during this time that Volkswagen introduced its second-famous vehicle, the Golf. Additionally,
Volkswagen signed a project agreement for opening a new factory in the US for production of the
Rabbit A.K.A the ‘Golf’ in Europe.

1980-2000+

In 1982, Volkswagen made its first step to expanding outside Germany and signed an agreement
with SEAT, S. A., a famous Spanish automobile manufacturer. Two years later, in order for the
company to gain global recognition, it was renamed from Volkswagenwerk to Volkswagen
Aktiengesellschaft (AG). In 1986, VW AG acquired 51% shares of the SEAT Company, which became
its first subsidiary.

Towards the end of the 80s, Volkswagen AG finally managed to get full ownership of the
SEAT Company, thus allowing it to expand its network. In the 90s, Volkswagen introduced the Jetta
and Golf MK3 in North America. In 1998, the new Beetle made its debut which was clearly
manufactured to bring back the famous Beetle back from the dead.

The goal was quite successful and the reincarnation of the beetle boosted sales significantly in North
America. Towards the end of the 90s, Volkswagen acquired Lamborghini, Bentley, and Bugatti. By
2003, Volkswagen finally ended production of the Type 1 Beetle and shipped its 21,529,464th model
to the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg.
VOLKSWAGEN AUTOMOBILES TODAY

Today, Volkswagen AG is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, ranking third in
overall car sales. The company has a yearly output of 9,727,848 vehicles and is currently the owner of
many popular car brands, including Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Audi, Porsche, and the overseas-
brands Skoda and SEAT.

INTERESTING NEWS
o Volkswagen AG’s Beetle had been in production for more than 65 years. Therefore, it set a new
record for the longest single-make vehicles produced in the history of cars.
o Many manufacturers use Volkswagens as a base for their cars and add their own distinctive
design to target customers. Some of these manufacturers include Skoda, SEAT, and Audi.
o Volkswagen is also famous in the commercial automobile industry and manufacturers big
trucks, but that’s not all. In fact, VW participates in races with those trucks as well.