With the Type 1, based on a design by Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, Volkswagen democratized mobility from 1946 onwards. In 1972, the Beetle (Käfer) produced as a sedan and a cabriolet, took the overall sales record from the Ford Model T, a title which it retained until 2002. That year, the Beetle (Käfer) was overtaken as the most successful car model ever by its successor, the Golf. German production of the Beetle (Käfer) renowned for its indestructibility, came to an end in 1978; the last Cabriolet was produced by Karmann in Osnabrück in 1980. However, the Beetle (Käfer) survived for many years in South America and the last of 21,528,480 units only rolled off the production lines at the Mexican plant in Puebla on July 30, 2003.
Beetle (Käfer)
Press releases
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Beetles in boxes: 70 years of CKD car exports by Volkswagen
Since 1950, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand has been exporting vehicles dismantled into individual parts in order to assemble them in the destination country. This approach is referred to as “completely knocked down” (CKD). Initially, the approach was to open up new markets; nowadays, CKD also ensures supplies to Volkswagen’s global production network – and is a key factor in sales. To date, about 200 million vehicles have been exported to countries throughout the world. About 3 million further vehicles or parts are added every year. The first vehicle to be assembled from individual parts supplied in a box was the legendary Beetle. -
Production launch for an icon: The first VW Beetle rolled off the line at the Wolfsburg plant 70 years ago
It was shortly after the first post-war Christmas 1945 that the first of the Volkswagen Type 1 – the model which, as the Beetle, would subsequently be sold more than 21 million times – rolled off the production line. By the end of 1945 only 55 vehicles had been produced in total however. The start of mass production was a highly improvised undertaking, and material shortages hampered operations over the subsequent months. Yet the early vehicles were visible symbols of hope; a new beginning for the car plant under British control.
Basic Infos
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The Volkswagen Beetle – A Success Story
Contains 3 sections: Feature – Beetle melancholy, VW Beetle – the real miracle, VW Beetle through the years
Media
Photo albums
Käfer Generations