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On December 27, 1945 the serial production of the Volkswagen Limousine (Type 1) got started. This was the real beginning of the success story of the Volkswagen. The model had originally been planned as a prestige project of the National Socialists. But from 1939 onwards the Wolfsburg plant had produced armaments instead of vehicles. Up to the end of World War II, only 630 units of the model, which had been renamed “KdF-Wagen” in 1938, left the Volkswagen plant. It was only under British trusteeship that the unique success story of the VW Beetle began at Wolfsburg thanks to the strategic vision of Major Ivan Hirst.

75 years ago in Wolfsburg: Start of series production of the Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Type 1, the “Beetle”. You can request this photo with the indication of the intended use and the image signature at history@volkswagen.de.

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Dieter Landenberger
Dieter Landenberger
Heritage | Head of Heritage Communications
Tel. +49 (0) 5361 / 9-74630
Maren Weißner
Maren Weißner
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Tel. +49 (0) 171 877 4096