Volkswagen Group History

Few know Volkswagen emerged from a Nazi commission before growing into an auto icon through counter-culture embrace and clever brand pivots.

Adolf Hitler first tapped Ferdinand Porsche to design an affordable vehicle for German roads in the late 1930s. The result was Volkswagen’s enduring Type 1 model dubbed the “Beetle” which rolled off lines in 1938 as Hitler’s vision of “the people’s car.” Though popular in post-war Europe, VW struggled cracking important US sales until the quintessential Beetle found 1960’s bohemian fame. Surfing counterculture trends accelerated growth for decades.

Later, purchasing ultra-luxury brands Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti reinvented Volkswagen’s identity for high-end markets while better competing with Toyota and GM dominating affordable models. From Nazi origins to selling over 21 million iconic Beetles to elevating its prestige, Volkswagen repeatedly adapted itself to social trends and shifting consumer demands over its epic journey.

List of Companies in the Volkswagen Group

Ever wonder who makes all those cool cars you see on the road? This article is all about Volkswagen Group, a giant company that owns many famous car brands. We’ll take a trip through their history, starting from way back in Germany to where they are now, as one of the biggest car companies in the world! We’ll also see all the different car brands they own, and how they got so big. So get ready to learn all about Volkswagen Group in a way that’s easy to understand!

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