Seventy years ago. The start of the VW Beetle mass production.

Auto Motor Klassiek » Articles » Seventy years ago. The start of the VW Beetle mass production.
Purchasing classics there

Shortly after 1945 Christmas, the first Volkswagen Type 1 - nowadays much better known under the name Beetle - rolled off the production line. At the end of 1945, however, the counter was only on cars produced by 55. The start of mass production was a particularly improvised company, and a shortage of materials again caused many interruptions in the following months. Yet the first copies of the Beetle were a visual symbol of hope: a new beginning for the car factory in Wolfsburg under British rule.

In June 1945 the factory came with a workforce of about 6000 people under the guardianship of the British military government. And on 22 August 1945, the British major Ivan Hirst received a first order for 20.000 Beetles, giving the factory a future again. The vehicles were primarily intended for use by the occupying Allies, but also to guarantee health care in rural areas. Production usually stuck in the first post-war years at around 1.000 vehicles per month It was only after the reform currency in June 1948 that large numbers of private buyers emerged.

Service and customer needs
In the meantime, the British paid a great deal of attention to service and meeting customer needs. An important next step in this was to set up a dealer network. The export start in October 1947 marked a first step on the international stage. The first elections for the works council in November 1945 - barely six months after the end of the war - formed the basis for initial employee participation.

The very last newly produced Beetle was the Ultima Edicion. In July 2003 he marked the end of an impressive production period. Image: Volkswagen AG
The very last newly produced Beetle was the Ultima Edicion. He ran from the band in Puebla, Mexico. In July 2003 he marked the end of an impressive production period. Image: Volkswagen AG

Strategic lead at the start of Wirtschaftswunder
When Volkswagenwerk GmbH comes into German hands in October 1949, it has a strategic lead thanks to the British. A factor of importance, certainly because the German Wirtschaftswunder is rapidly emerging. Dr. Manfred Grieger, head of the Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft corporate History Department, says: "Volkswagen was very happy that the robust" saloon "supported the British military government in carrying out its duties. With Ivan Hirst, VW had the right man at the helm. He gave the factory and the employees perspective and motivation based on his vision. He knew that the Volkswagen's qualities were more than satisfactory. "

Important in many facets
The beetle was an important factor in the development of democracy and mobility in post-war Germany. He also found a home in many other countries. He was an important ambassador for the tilt towards a positive attitude towards Germany. And the basis for what can be counted today as one of the largest and most influential manufacturers in the world. In many generations, model variants and beetle-related models, the Keversage lasted until July 2003. In the Mexican city of Puebla, the last beetle - an Ultima Edición - of the band eventually ran. With more than 21 million built Doodle Animals, the Beetle became a car icon, loved by millions of people to this day. And whose characteristic shape still brings smiles to the face of so many.

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