You probably know Volkswagen from its iconic model, the “Bug,” or “Beetle” as it is commonly referred to as. However, Volkswagen is much more than its most popular car. They have been making quality vehicles since the early 20th century and have a long-standing, international history. Read more to find out all about it!
How the Company Got Started
Volkswagen got its start in Germany and was founded by the German government in 1937. It was originally a Nazi organization until the end of World War II, when the political party was dismantled. In 1934, the company was hired by the German Labor Front to make vehicles for the military. New factories were established in 1938, shortly after the founding of the company. However, World War II caused a delay in the mass-production of vehicles, forcing the company to turn its factories into military warehouses. Ferdinand Porsche was the automotive engineer for the company during this time.
After the War ended, factories began to focus their energy on mass-producing vehicles. In 1949, over half of the vehicles made in Germany were Volkswagen. By 1955, the company had released two more vehicles – a car and a truck – and established Volkswagen of America. Sales were initially slow due to Nazi connections, but grew once the company was able to break free from th negative stereotypes. By 1959, Volkswagen had gained international popularity and was set to release their most popular vehicle – the Beetle.
Throughout the next four decades, Volkswagen would release several more vehicles that would revolutionize the automotive industry. Each vehicle was unique and unlike anything that had been driven on the road before, specifically the Rabbit – which ultimately passed up the Beetle as the highest selling car.
Brands
Volkswagen owns several companies, including:
- Audi
- Porsche
- SEAT (a Spanish company)
- Skoda (a company in the Czech Republic)
- Lamborghini
- Bentley
- Bugatti
The Logo
Unlike other car companies, the Volkswagen logo has remained similar throughout history. Born out of the idea of creating a car for the general public, Volkswagen wanted the logo to remain simple and relatable. By 1945, they had rebranded the logo to eliminate any pre-war connections – creating one of the longest-standing logos in existence. Today, it remains true to its origins and is one of the most recognizable logos in the automotive industry.
Sales
According to statistics compiled by CarSalesBase, Volkswagen has sold _____ vehicles since 2000 in the United States. From the chart below, you can see that the company has had consistent sales since the early 1960s. They had a major spike throughout the 1990s, with their current sales mirroring trends seen when they first began importing cars to the United States. However, in 2015, Volkswagen was the top selling automotive company. They beat out much larger companies like Toyota, Chevy, and more.
Many Different Models
Toyota has a wide selection of over 70 cars, minivans, crossovers, SUVs, and trucks available for purchase. Here’s a list of the ones currently available:
Model | Avg Asking Price | Picture | Description |
Volkswagen ID.4 | Used: Not Available New: $40,760 |  | This 4-door electric vehicle is equipped to seat 5 passengers. It has a bold, aerodynamic look with a sleek black and silver design. |
Used: $27,590 New: $33,900 |  | The Atlas features an SE 2.0L Turbo 8-speed automatic engine. It can get up to 235 horsepower. It is also available in a Cross Sport option. | |
Used: $20,998 New: $26,295 |  | The Tiguan is a compact SUV that will allow you to ride in style with its sleek design. It also features heated front seats and blind spot monitors, along with more of Volkswagen’s safety features. | |
Used: $20,016 New: $23,295 |  | The Taos is another SUV from Volkswagen, featuring up to 158 horsepower, front-wheel drive. It can also hold up to 5 passengers. | |
Used: $12,590 New: $18,995 |  | The Jetta is a four-door sedan vehicle that seats up to 5 passengers. It features LED headlights, 16” black alloy wheels, and can connect to apps on your smartphone. It also comes with upgraded options and models. | |
Used: $17,990 New: $27,575 | | The Passat is another great option for those looking to carry 5-passengers. It has a SE 2.0T 4-cylinder TSI engine 6-speed automatic transmission. It also features LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, and remote start. | |
Used: $29,990 New: $36,995 |  | The higher-end of the 5-passenger vehicles, The Arteon features LED headlights, the Volkswagen digital cockpit, and blind spot monitor and front assist. Upgraded versions can also have travel assist, a panoramic sunroof, and park distance control. | |
Used: $16,990 New: $29,545 |  | The Golf R is the perfect vehicle for those who are on-the-go. It is a hatchback compact vehicle with a S 2.0L Turbo 6-speed manual engine and transmission. It also features the VW digital cockpit pro, VAQ limited-slip front differential lock, heater steering wheel, plaid cloth seating surfaces, and 18” wheels. |
Most Popular Model
Throughout Volkswagen’s history, the Rabbit and the Beetle have been their most popular vehicles. However, the Volkswagen Tiguan is the most popular vehicle. In 2019, a Tiguan was created and ready to “roll off the lot” every 35 seconds from factories located in Germany, Russia, China, and Mexico. The Tiguan is a compact SUV that can hold up to 5 passengers. Not only is it economically friendly, but it is also family-friendly – both of which help their sales skyrocket.
Geographic Popularity
By 1960, Volkswagen owned and operated plants across the globe. Some examples are Mexico, China, Brazil, the U.S., and more. However, they remain popular in Europe, paying tribute to their German roots. Compared to other automotive companies, they have had a solid global popularity in post-war times.
Sustainability
Volkswagen has always taken sustainability very seriously, especially after having problems with their cars that used diesel. They were forced to recall over 10 million cars across the world and had to pay billions of dollars in fines. They have commented on the scenario, stating on their website: “When it comes to the emissions issue, we have failed to live up to our own standards in several areas. The irregularities in the handling of emissions tests contradict everything we stand for. We will do everything in our power to prevent incidents of this kind from recurring, and are fully committed to re-embracing our standards and winning back public trust,”
“With our sustainability concept we want to ensure that opportunities and risks associated with our environmental, social and governance activities are identified as early as possible at every stage of the value creation process. In keeping with this aim, we are determined that our corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities will have a lasting, positive impact on the Company’s value and reputation.”
Despite this scandal, however, they continued to retain their popularity and sales statistics globally.
Safety
Safety is a core value for Volkswagen. Many of the Volkswagen vehicles are equipped with the company’s state of the art safety features:
- Rear View Camera System
- Safety Cage
- Intelligent Crash Response System
- Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Stability-Enhancing Systems
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