The history of VW
We've compiled 20 things you need to know about the Volkswagen brand
20. 1937
![1937](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE2YmUwNDcuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d16be047-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen was established by the German Labour Front to build a practical, simple, five-seated vehicle typical people could afford.
19. 1945
![1945](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE2ZGJiMmIuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d16dbb2b-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen Type 1 launched for civilians following World War 2. It had an air cooled engine at the rear, curvaceous bodywork, and low running costs. The Type 1 later became known as the Beetle.
18. 1950
![1950](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE3MjQwYmYuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d17240bf-880x0.webp)
Type 2 launched to expand the company’s range. It was van-like, came with multiple body styles, and had a split windscreen.
17. 1968
![1968](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE3NGY4YzkuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d174f8c9-880x0.webp)
Beetle starred in The Love Bug. ‘Herbie’ drove itself, won races, and had the number 53 on its bonnet. Dean Jones, Michele Lee, and David Tomlinson co-starred.
16. 1970
![1970](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE3N2MzNDUuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d177c345-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen K70 launched with several firsts for the manufacturer. It had front-wheel drive, a water cooled engine, and more modern looks than its predecessors. Safety was a priority too.
15. 1970
![1970](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE3ZDAwYjQuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d17d00b4-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen started developing electric vehicles. The Elektro Transporter came first and had a range of 43.5 miles per-charge. The battery could be fully charged in 10 hours via a standard plug.
14. 1972
![1972](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE4NDYwZjcuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d18460f7-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen Beetle surpassed the Ford Model T to become the most produced car ever. Number 15,007,034 claimed the record.
13. 1973
Volkswagen Passat Mk1 launched initially as a two and four-door fastback. It became Wheels Magazine’s Car of the Year in 1974.
12. 1975
![1975](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE4NzhkNmYuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d1878d6f-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen Polo Mk1 launched with immediate success. This supermini was practical, affordable, and full of character. It also sold far better than the car on which it was based: the Audi 50. (1977 model shown)
11. 1976
![1976](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE4YjE5NmQuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d18b196d-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 launched with more power, sportier handling, and better brakes than a standard Golf. The GTI later became legendary and inspired other brands to launch ‘hot hatches’.
10. 1983
![1983](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE4ZTQ1NDcuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d18e4547-880x0.webp)
Amphibious Golf Convertible took a cruise on Lake Wörth, in Kiel. It had a standard diesel engine, hydraulically activated floats, and reached 18mph. Volkswagen said the car ‘turned heads’.
9. 1985
![1985](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE5MWM4OWEuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d191c89a-880x0.webp)
Golf drove through 12 countries using only a single tank of diesel. It covered 1,344 miles on its way from Italy to Norway.
8. 1986
![1986](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE5NDk3ODcuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d1949787-880x0.webp)
The German Postal Service received its 200,000th Volkswagen. It was a Golf Mk2 that had yellow paint and stickers on its doors. (1972 model shown)
7. 1989
![1989](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE5NzdlZGYuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d1977edf-880x0.webp)
The Volkswagen Plant in Wolfsburg produced its 25th million vehicle. It was a Golf with silver paint and a catalytic converter.
6. 1996
![1996](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE5YTNlODkuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d19a3e89-880x0.webp)
Golf Harlequin launched with different colour body panels throughout. No two touching panels were the same colour. The Harlequin was built in very small numbers to guarantee exclusivity.
5. 2008
![2008](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE5YzFiYzcuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d19c1bc7-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen briefly became the world’s most valuable company when its share price hit €1,005.
4. 2012
![2012](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDE5ZTFjYTguanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d19e1ca8-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen Amarok became the fastest vehicle to cross the Gilf Al-Kebir plateau, in Egypt. It covered 236 miles of rough terrain in 5 hours 7 minutes. It set a world record in the process.
3. 2019
![2019](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDFhMGNiZmEuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d1a0cbfa-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen T-Cross named Best Compact SUV at the Business Car Awards. The judges praised its ‘stylish design’ and agile handling.
2. 2020
![2020](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDFhNDQxMTMuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d1a44113-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen sold a vast range of models including sports-utility vehicles, hatchbacks, and estates. Registrations were 148,338 which made it one of the best selling car brands in the UK.
1. 2021
![2021](https://www.regit.cars/image-cache/remote/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMucmVnaXQuY2Fycy9saXN0LWltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA5LzMwL3RoZS1oaXN0b3J5LW9mLXZ3LTYxNTU4ZDFhNmY5MzQuanBn/the-history-of-vw-61558d1a6f934-880x0.webp)
Volkswagen launched free over-the-air software updates for its ID3, ID4, and ID4 GTX. Amongst other things, the updates made the infotainment systems easier to use. They became more intuitive.