Volkswagen

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Volkswagen ( German pronunciation: ['f? lks? va: ???] - listen ), abbreviated to VW , is a German automaker founded on May 28, 1937 by Labor Front Germany under Adolf Hitler and headquartered in Wolfsburg. This is the flagship marque of Volkswagen Group, the largest car manufacturer with worldwide sales by 2016.

Volkswagen is the German language for "people's cars", and the company's international advertising slogan is currently "Volkswagen". English American pronunciation is approximately "volks wagon" ( listen Ãƒ, ).

Video Volkswagen

Histori

1932-1938: Proyek Mobil Rakyat

Volkswagen was originally founded in 1932 by the German Labor Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront) in Berlin. In the early 1930s, the German automotive industry was still largely composed of fancy models, and the average German rarely could buy anything other than motorcycles. As a result, only one in 50 Germans own a car. Looking for potential new markets, some car makers started independent "people's folk" projects - Mercedes 170H, Adler AutoBahn, Steyr 55, and Hanomag 1.3L, among others.

The trend was not new, because BÃƒÆ'Ã… Â© la BarÃƒÆ'Ã‚ Ã‚ Â© nyi was credited for having crafted the basic design in the mid-1920s. Josef Ganz developed the Superior Standard (going so far as to advertise it as "Volkswagen Germany"). In Germany, the Hanomag company mass-produced 2/10 PS "Kommissbrot", a cheap rear-engined small car, from 1925 to 1928. Also, in Czechoslovakia, Hans Ledwinka wrote the Tatra T77, a very popular car among the elite Germans, smaller and more affordable on every revision. Ferdinand Porsche, a renowned designer for high-end vehicles and racing cars, has been trying for years to get manufacturers interested in small cars suitable for a family. He felt the small cars at the time had just bare the big cars. Instead he built a car that he called "Volksauto" from the ground in 1933, using many ideas in circulation at that time and some of his own, composing a car with an air-cooled rear engine, a torque rod suspension, and a "beetle" shape, the front hood rounded for aerodynamics which is better (necessary because it has a small machine).

In 1934, with many of the above projects still in development stage or early stage of production, Adolf Hitler became involved, ordering basic vehicle production capable of transporting two adults and three children at 100 km/h (62 mph). He wants all Germans to have access to cars. "People's Car" will be available to Third Reich residents through the austerity plan at 990 Reichsmark ($ 396 at 1930 US dollars) - about the price of a small motorcycle (revenues averaging around 32 RM per week).

Despite heavy lobbying supporting one of the existing projects, it soon became clear that the private industry could not produce a car of only 990 RM. So Hitler chose to sponsor a new state-owned factory using the Ferdinand Porsche design (with some of Hitler's design constraints, including air-cooled engines so no one can freeze). The goal is that ordinary Germans will buy cars through the German savings scheme ( " FÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â¼nf Mark die Woche musst du sparen, willst du im eigenen Wagen fahren "Ãƒ, -" Five marks a week you should set aside, if you want to drive your own car "), which about 336,000 people end up paying for. However, the entire project is financially unhealthy, and only the Nazi party makes it possible to provide funds.

The prototype car called "KdF-Wagen" (German: Kraft durch Freude - "Strength through Joy"), appeared from 1938 onwards (the first cars were manufactured in Stuttgart). The car already has a distinctive round shape and air-cooled, flat-four, engine mounted on the back. VW cars are just one of many KdF programs, which include things like touring and walking events. The prefix Volks - ("People's") applies not only to cars, but also to other products in Germany; radio receiver "VolksempfÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â¤nger" for example. On May 28, 1937, Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagen mbH ("Company for Volkswagen Germany Setup Ltd."), or Gezuvor for short, was founded by Deutsche Arbeitsfront in Berlin. More than a year later, on September 16, 1938, his name was changed to Volkswagenwerk GmbH .

Erwin Komenda, the old Auto Union head designer, part of Ferdinand Porsche's team, developed a prototype car body, recognizable by Beetle known today. It was one of the first cars designed with the help of a wind tunnel - a method used to design German aircraft since the early 1920s. The design of the car is meticulously tested, and reaches millions of miles of testing records before it is considered complete.

Construction of the new plant began in May 1938 in the new city "Stadt des KdF-Wagens" (modern-day Wolfsburg), which has been built exclusively for factory workers. This factory produced only a handful of cars at the time of the war began in 1939. Nothing was actually delivered to the holders of thrift books, although one Cabriolet Type 1 was given to Hitler on April 20, 1944 (his 55th birthday).

The war turned production into a military vehicle - the Utility vehicle type (the most common VW war model), and the amphibians - was produced for German troops. As usual with most of the Nazi production of Germany during the war, slave labor was used at the Volkswagen plant, for example from the Arbeitsdorf concentration camp. The company will admit in 1998 that it used 15,000 slaves during the war effort. The German historian estimates that 80% of Volkswagen's wartime labor is slave labor. Many slaves were reportedly supplied from concentration camps at the request of plant managers. The lawsuit was filed in 1998 by survivors for restitution for forced labor. Volkswagen will set up a voluntary restitution fund. 1945-1948: _British_Army_intervention, _unclear_future "> 1945-1948: British army intervention, future unclear

The company owes its postwar existence to one person, British Army War officer, Major Ivan Hirst, REME. In April 1945, KdF-Stadt and its heavily bombed factory was seized by the Americans, and then handed over to Britain, inside its occupied zone the city and factory fell. The factories were placed under the control of Hirst who was born in Saddleworth, at that time a civilian Military Governor with an occupation force. Initially, one plan was to use it for the maintenance of a military vehicle, and possibly disassemble it and ship it to England. Since it has been used for military production, (though not from KdF-Wagens) and has been in the words of Hirst, "political animal" rather than commercial company - technically makes it liable for destruction under the terms of the Potsdam Agreement - - Equipment can be saved as a reparation war. Allied disassembly policy changed from late 1946 to mid 1947, although heavy industry continued to be dismantled until 1951.

One of the factory-era "KdF-Wagen" cars has been brought to the factory for repair and abandonment there. Hirst has been repainted green and showed it to the headquarters of the British Army. Short of light transport, in September 1945 the British Army was persuaded to place an important order for 20,000 cars. However, production facilities have been massively disrupted, there is a refugee crisis inside and around the plant and some parts (such as carburetors) are not available. With striking humanity and great engineering and management's ingenuity, Hirst and his German assistant Heinrich Nordhoff (who later ran the Wolfsburg facility after the Military Administration ended in 1949) helped stabilize an acute social situation while simultaneously rebuilding production. Hirst, for example, uses his excellent engineering experience to organize the carburetor manufacture, an original manufacturer effectively 'lost' in the Russian zone. The first few hundred cars went to personnel from the occupation forces, and to the German Post Office. Several British Service personnel were allowed to bring their Beetles back to England when they were demobilized.

In 1986, Hirst explained how it was generally misunderstood that he had run Wolfsburg as Major of the British Army. The defeated German staff, he said, were initially sullen and unresponsive, had been conditioned by Nazism for years and they were sometimes unresponsive to orders. At the suggestion of Nordhoff, he sent back to England for officer uniforms and since then, has no difficulty in following instructions. Hirst can be seen photographed in Wolfsburg in his uniform, although he was not actually a soldier at the time but a civilian member of the Military Government. The title of 'Major' is sometimes used by someone who has left the Army as a title of honor. Actually, Hirst chose not to.

The postwar Industrial Plan for Germany established the rules governing which industries were allowed by Germany. These rules regulate the production of German cars at a maximum of 10% of the production of 1936 cars. In 1946, the factory produced 1,000 cars a month - a remarkable feat considering it was still in disrepair. Due to roof and window damage, production must stop when it rains, and the company must barter new vehicles for steel for production.

The car and town changed the names of the Second World War Era to "Volkswagen" and "Wolfsburg", and production increased. It remains unclear what will happen with the factory. It was offered to representatives of the American, Australian, British, and French motor industries. Famous, all reject it. Upon inspection of the factory, Sir William Rootes, head of the British Rootes Group, told Hirst that the project would fail within two years, and that the car "... is not very attractive to ordinary car buyers, too ugly and too noisy... If you think you're going to build a car in this place, you're really stupid, young man. "The official report says" To build a car commercially would be a totally uneconomical company. " In an ironic fate, Volkswagen produced a local version of Rootes's Hillman Avenger in Argentina in the 1980s, long after Rootes went bust in Chrysler's hands in 1978 - the Beetle lived longer than Avenger for over 30 years.

Ford's representatives are equally critical. In March 1948, the British offered the Volkswagen company to Ford, free of charge. Henry Ford II, Edsel Ford's son, went to West Germany for a discussion. Heinz Nordhoff was also present, and Ernest Breech, chairman of the board for Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford II turned to Ernest Breech for his opinion, and Breech said, "Mr. Ford, I do not think what we offer here is worth a dime!" Ford delivered the offer, leaving Volkswagen to rebuild itself under the leadership of Nordhoff.

1948-1961: West German post war icon

From 1948, Volkswagen became an important element, symbolically and economically, from the regeneration of West Germany. Heinrich Nordhoff (1899-1968), a former senior manager at Opel who had overseen the production of civilian and military vehicles in the 1930s and 1940s, was recruited to run the factory in 1948. In 1949, Major Hirst left the company - now re-formed as a belief controlled by the West German government and the government of the State of Lower Saxony. The "Beetle" sedan or "people's car" Volkswagen is Type 1. In addition to the introduction of the Volkswagen Type 2 commercial vehicle (van, pick-up and camper), and the VW Karmann Ghia sports car, Nordhoff pursues the first. policy-model until shortly before his death in 1968.

Volkswagen was first exhibited and sold in the United States in 1949, but sold only two units in America in the first year. Upon entry into the US market, VW is briefly sold as a Victory Wagon. Volkswagen of America was formed in April 1955 to standardize sales and service in the United States. Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 production increased dramatically over the years, totaling one million in 1955.

The first official Volkswagen importer in the UK, Colborne Garages of Ripley, Surrey, began with parts for models brought home by soldiers returning from Germany.

Canadian Motors, Limited brought Volkswagen's first delivery to Canada on 10 July 1952 (delivery order 143075). The order consists of 12 vehicles, (3) 11C model, black, green, and sandcolor (3) 11GS, brown chestnut and two blue blues, (2) 24A-M51 red, (1) 21A in blue, (1) 23A blue, (1) 22A beige color, and one ambulance. Volkswagen was seen in Canada for the first time at the Canadian National Exhibition in August 1952 and was enthusiastically received. (At least one Type 2 bus from this order is still there, and currently in France is undergoing recovery). The first shipment for Volkswagen Canada reached Toronto in early December 1952. (At least one Type 1 of this first delivery still exists, and driven on a nationwide tour for Volkswagen Canada's 60th year in business celebrations in 2012).

In 1955, the sale was made on the basis that it guaranteed the construction of a Volkswagen plant on a 32 acre (130,000 m ²) site at the Golden Mile Scarboro. For this, a 60,000 square foot (5,600m ²) building with administration, showrooms, service, repairs and spare parts was built in 1957, with storage of $ 4,000,000.

In 1959, VW began production at a plant near SÃƒÆ' Ã‚ Â£ o Paulo in Brazil. Volkswagen do Brazil was accused of spying on workers during the period of military dictatorship in the 1970s and informing police about opposition activities. In 1976, mass arrests took place and several VW employees were tortured. In 1979, VW Brazilian workers traveled to Wolfsburg to inform the CEO personally. In 2015, VW activists and former employees in Brazil publicly accused the company of silence about the persecution of its workers. In autumn 2016, VW commissioned an expert to review the situation that will end in 2017.

On August 22, 1960, Volkswagenwerk GmbH was renamed to Volkswagenwerk AG .

Sales soared, throughout the 1960s, peaking at the end of the decade, thanks in part to a renowned advertising campaign by New York Doyle advertising agency Dane Bernbach. Led by art director Helmut Krone, and copywriters Julian Koenig and Bob Levinson, Volkswagen's ads became as popular as cars, using crisp layouts and clever copies to lure younger and sophisticated consumers with whom the car became related. Although almost universally known as Beetle (or Bug), it was never officially labeled as such by the manufacturer, instead referred to as Type 1.

Although the car is becoming obsolete, during the 1960s and early 1970s, American exports, innovative advertising, and a growing reputation for reliability helped the production numbers surpass previous record holder levels, Ford Model T. On 17 February 1972, 15007. 034 Beetle for sale. Volkswagen can now claim world production record for single cars in history of the most widely produced. By 1973, the total production was more than 16 million.

To commemorate the record sales of Ford Model T and its victory in the 1000 1000 Steel Baja race from 1967 to 1971, Volkswagen produced its first limited edition Beetle. It is marketed as "Baja Champion SE" in the United States and "Marathon" Superbeetle worldwide. It features a unique "Marathon Blau" metallic blue metallic, 15-inch (38 cm) alloy magnesium alloy wheels, warning metal plate mounted on the glovebox and certificate of authenticity presented to the original buyer. Limited-edged dealer options for Superbeetle include: white stripes that extend rocker panels, dedicated shifter buttons, override bumpers, pointed exhaust edges, fake walnut inserts on the dashboard (behind the wheel and glovebox cover) and Bosch fog lamps mounted on the front bumper.

1961-1973: Beetle to Golf

The 1961 Type 1 Beetle has a 36Ãƒ, hp 1200cc four-cylinder water-cooled flat-four opposing OHV engine made of block and aluminum alloy head. In 1966, Type 1 came with a 1300 engine. In 1967, Type 1 had 1,500 engines, and 1600 in 1970. The air-cooled engine lost support in the US market with the emergence of gasoline and unleaded smoke haze control. This air-cooled engine is generally tuned to be a rich fuel to control overheated engines, and this results in excessive carbon monoxide emissions. The VW Production Equipment was eventually moved to Mexico where unregulated vehicle emissions. The beetle is very popular on the West Coast of the United States where the cabin heating limited capacity is less comfortable. Beetles are popularized on the West Coast of the USA as beach trains and mound trains.

VW expanded its product line in 1961 by introducing four models of Type 3 (Karmann Ghia, Notchback, Fastback, and Variant) based on a new Type 3 mechanical footing. The name 'Squareback' is used in the US. For Variants.

In 1969, larger Type 4 (411 and 412) models were introduced. This differs substantially from previous vehicles, with a major introduction to monocoque/unibody construction, full automatic transmission options, electronic fuel injection, and more powerful powerplants.

Volkswagen added the "Super Beetle" (Type 131) to the lineup in 1971. Type 131 differs from the standard Beetle in the use of the MacPherson strut front suspension instead of the usual torque rod. The Super Beetle features new hooded, patterned dashboards, and a curved windshield (from model years 1973 onwards). The rack and pinion steering replaced the steering wheel of recirculation in 1975 and higher. The front of the car stretches 2 inches (51 mm) to allow the spare tire to lie flat, and the combination of these two features increases the usable front luggage space.

In 1973, Volkswagen introduced the Type 181 themed military, or "Trekker" in Europe, "Hal" in America, given the Type 82 war period. The military version was produced for the NATO-era German Army during the Cold War years of 1970 to 1979. The US version of Thing was only sold for two years, 1973 and 1974.

In 1964, Volkswagen acquired Auto Union, and in 1969, NSU Motorenwerke AG (NSU). The company previously owned the historic Audi brand, which had been lost after the Second World War. VW finally combines Auto Union and NSU to create a modern Audi company, and will continue to develop it as a luxury vehicle marque. The purchase of Auto Union and NSU is an important point in the history of Volkswagen, as both companies produce technological expertise that proved necessary for VW to survive when demand for air cooled models declined.

By the end of 1972, Volkswagen had decided to cancel almost finished typing 266, a project for mid-engined cars to replace the Beetle, and to focus on the front wheels, water-cooled cars. Rudolf Leiding, recently made Volkswagen's head, mentioned the noise, heat, and service problems with the mid-engine layout, as well as the difficulty of making it a station wagon.

Volkswagen was in serious trouble in 1973. Type 3 and Type 4 models have been sold in much smaller quantities than the NSU-based Beetle and K70 also failed to woo buyers. Beetle sales began to decline rapidly in the European and North American markets. The company knew that Beetle production had to end, but faced a puzzle how to replace it. Ownership of VW Audi/Auto Union proved profitable. His expertise in front-wheel drive, and water-cooled engines will help Volkswagen produce a credible Beetle successor. The influence of Audi paved the way for a new generation of Volkswagen: Passat, Scirocco, Golf, and Polo.

The first in the series is the Volkswagen Passat (Dasher in the US), introduced in 1973, the fastback version of the Audi 80, using many identical body parts and mechanics. The estate/wagon version is available in many markets. In Europe, estate/wagon versions dominated market share for many years.

In the spring of 1974, Scirocco followed. The Coupe was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Based on the unreleased Golf platform, it was built at Karmann due to limited capacity at Volkswagen.

Important models emerged as Volkswagen Golf in 1974, marketed in the United States and Canada as Rabbits for the first generation (1975-1985) and 5th generation (2006-2009). The corner style was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro Italia). The design follows the trend for small family cars set by 1959 Mini - Golf has a water-mounted engine, cooled in front, front wheel drive, and has a hatchback, a format that has dominated the market segment ever since. Production of beetles in Wolfsburg ended after the introduction of Golf. This continued in smaller numbers at other German plants (Hanover and Emden) until 1978, but the main production shifted to Brazil and Mexico.

In 1975, Volkswagen Polo followed suit. This is the Audi 50 which was re-spiked, which was soon discontinued in 1978. Polo became the base of the Volkswagen Derby, which was introduced in 1977. Derby is for all intents and purposes of the three-box Polo design. After the second generation model, Derby was discontinued in 1985, although the bodystyle lived in the form of classical polo/polo until 1991.

Passat, Scirocco, Golf, and Polo share many character defining features, as well as parts and engines. They built the base for the Volkswagen round.

1974-1990: Expansion of the product line

While the Volkswagen cars soon became similar to other large European cars, Golf has been a mainstay of Volkswagen's range of products since its introduction, and the mechanical basis for several other cars of the company. There are seven generations of Volkswagen Golf, the first produced from the summer of 1974 to the fall of 1983 (sold as Rabbits in the United States and Canada and as Caribe in Latin America). The chassis also spawns the Volkswagen Scirocco sport coupe, the Volkswagen Jetta saloon/sedan, the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet convertible, and the Volkswagen Caddy pick-up. North American Rabbit Production began at the Westmoreland Volkswagen Production Plant near New Stanton, Pennsylvania in 1978. The aircraft will be produced in the United States as Rabbit until spring 1984. The second-generation Hatchback Golf/Jetta sedan ran from October 1983 to autumn 1991, and the North American version produced at the Westmoreland Assembly went on sale at the start of the 1985 model. The number of first-generation Golf production continues to grow annually in South Africa as Citi Golf, with only modifications to the interior, engine and chassis, using tools relocated from the New plant Stanton, Pennsylvania when the site began construction. Second Generation car.

In the 1980s, sales of Volkswagen in the United States and Canada dropped dramatically, despite the success of models like Golf elsewhere. Japanese and Americans are able to compete with similar products at cheaper prices. Sales in the United States were 293,595 in 1980, but in 1984 they dropped to 177,709. The introduction of second-generation Golf, GTI and Jetta models helped Volkswagen briefly in North America. Motor Trend crowned the GTI as Car of the Year for 1985, and Volkswagen rose in JD. The power buyer's satisfaction level to the eighth place in 1985, up from 22 years earlier. American VW sales broke 200,000 in 1985 and 1986 before continuing downward trend from the beginning of the decade. Chairman Carl Hahn decided to expand the company elsewhere (mostly in developing countries), and the New Stanton, Pennsylvania plant closed on July 14, 1988. Meanwhile, four years after the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Spanish car maker SEAT in 1982, Hahn expanded the company by purchasing a majority of SEAT shares up to 75% by the end of 1986, which VW purchased directly in 1990. On 4 July 1985, Volkswagenwerk AG was renamed Volkswagen AG .

Volkswagen entered the supermini market in 1975 with Volkswagen Polo, a stylish and spacious three-door hatchback designed by Bertone. It was a strong seller in West Germany and most of the rest of Western Europe, becoming one of the first foreign small cars to prove popular in Britain. It started in 1974 as the Audi 50, which is only available in certain markets and less popular. Polo entered the market sector that has been dominated by Fiat 127 and Renault 5, and which soon will also include Austin Metro and Ford Fiesta.

In 1981, the second-generation Polo was launched and sold as a hatchback and "coupe" (with a hatchback resembling a small estate car and a coupe similar to a conventional hatchback), was a greater success for Volkswagen. The practicality, despite the lack of a five-door version, helped ensure sales were stronger than its predecessor, and it continued to sell well after the makeover in 1990, finally replaced by an all-new version in 1994. Also arriving in 1981 was the second generation of the more Passat large and second generation of Volkswagen Scirocco coupe. The original Scirocco was launched in 1974 to compete with an affordable four-seater coupe like the Ford Capri.

In 1983 Golf MK2 was launched. In early 1988, the third generation of Passat was the next major car launch and Volkswagen did not produce this Passat hatchback version, despite the increasing popularity of bodystyle hatchbacks across Europe. Right after launching the Passat B3, Volkswagen launched Corrado, Scirocco's successor, although Scirocco continued to produce until 1992.

1991-1999

In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third generation Golf, which is the European Car of the Year for 1992. The Mk3 and Jetta Golf arrived in North America in 1993. The sedan version of the Golf epitomizes Vento in Europe, but remains the Jetta in the US The Scirocco and Corrado which is then equally a Golf-based coupe.

In 1994, Volkswagen launched the First Concept Concept, a "retro" car concept with resemblance to the original Beetle, based on the Polo platform. Due to the positive response to the concept, the production version was developed as a New Beetle, based on a larger Golf platform.

In 1995 Sharan was launched in Europe, the result of a joint venture with Ford, which also produced Ford Galaxy and SEAT Alhambra.

The company's evolution of its various models continued with Golf Mk4, introduced in late 1997 (and in North America in 1999), its chassis spawned a number of other cars within the Volkswagen Group; Volkswagen Bora (sedan named Jetta in the US), SEAT Toledo, SEAT LeÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â³n, Audi A3, Audi TT, and? koda Octavia. Other major models during this decade include Polo, smaller cars than Golf, and a larger Passat for segments above Golf.

In 1998 the company unveiled the new Lupo city car. In 1999 they announced the first "3 liter" car, a lightweight Lupo version that could cover 100 km with only 3 liters of diesel - making it the most fuel efficient car in the world at the time.

2000-present: Further expansion

Volkswagen began introducing a series of new models after Bernd Pischetsrieder became CEO of the Volkswagen Group (responsible for all Group brands) in 2002. The sixth generation VW Golf was launched in 2008, becoming the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia runner-up in the 2009 European Car of the Year, and has spawned several cousins: VW Jetta, VW Scirocco, SEAT LeÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â³n, SEAT Toledo ,? Koda Octavia and Audi A3 hatchback, as well as the new mini MPV, SEAT Altea. The GTI, a performance version of "hot hatch" from Golf, offers direct injection engine Fuel Turfocharged Injection (FSI) 2.0L L. VW began marketing the Golf under the name of Rabbit once again in the US and Canada in 2006.

The sixth-generation Passat and the fifth-generation Jetta made its debut in 2005, and VW announced plans to expand its ranks further by bringing back Scirocco in 2008. Other models in Wolfgang Bernhard's (offensive) product "offensive" include Tiguan midsize SUVs in 2008 and Passat CoupÃƒÆ'Ã‚ Â©. In November 2006 Bernd Pischetsrieder announced his resignation as CEO of the Volkswagen Group, and was replaced by Audi worldwide CEO Martin Winterkorn in early 2007.

Volkswagen in 2005 kept North American sales 224,195. The momentum continued for fiscal 2006, as North American VW sales for the year were 235,140 vehicles, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to 2005, although North American sales slumped. In conjunction with the introduction of new models, the production site of Volkswagen vehicles is also undergoing major changes. Eos 2007, a hardtop convertible, was produced at a new facility in Portugal. All Golf/Rabbit and GTI in 2006 were produced in Wolfsburg, Germany, rather than a VW factory in Mexico in Puebla, where Golf and GTI for the North American market were produced from 1989 to 1998, and the Brazil plant in Curitiba, where Golf and GTI were produced from 1999 to 2006 (Jetta is mainly made in Mexico since 1989). VW is also in the process of reconfiguring an automotive assembly plant in Belgium. New models and investment in manufacturing improvements were soon noticed by automotive critics. The favorable reviews for the latest VW cars include the GTI named by Consumer Reports as the top sports car under $ 25,000, one of the "Top 10" magazine's "Car and Driver" magazine for the year 2007, Car Magazine 2007 Car of the Year, and 2008

Since the termination of T4 in 2003 and the decision not to bring the T5 into the US market, Volkswagen, ironically, has no van in its North American product lineup. To change this, Volkswagen launched Volkswagen Routan, a Dodge Grand Caravan made with badges and made for the American and Canadian markets, in 2008.

In September 2006, Volkswagen began offering City Golf and City Jetta only for the Canadian market. Both models were originally Golf Mk4 and Jetta but later replaced with Brazilian version of Golf Mk4 and Bora. Volkswagen's introduction to these models is seen as a test of the market for subcompacts and, if successful, may be the beginning of the rapidly growing subcompact market for Volkswagen.

In May 2011, Volkswagen completed the Chattanooga Assembly in the state of Tennessee, USA. The facility has produced Volkswagen cars and SUVs designed specifically for the North American market, starting with Passat B7 in 2011. The company recently announced plans to expand further by investing $ 900 million to add floor space to the plant.

VW XL1 started limited production in 2013. XL1 is a lightweight and fuel-efficient two-person (only 795 kg) vehicle.

Volkswagen Atlas (large crossover SUV) starts production by the end of 2016, and aims to help end several years of losses for Volkswagen in the US, the world's second largest car market.

On September 14, 2016, Volkswagen announced a partnership with three Israeli cyber security experts to create a new company, Cymotive, dedicated to automotive safety.

VW called their shift toward the "Transform 2025" electric vehicle. As part of the strategy, VW aims to launch more than 30 electric vehicles by 2025, and anticipates the annual sales of 2 to 3 million VW electric cars by 2025, which will be 20 to 25 percent of their total annual sales volume. In September 2017, CEO Matthias Mueller announced plans to have an electric version of all VW 300 model cars by 2030. The company promises to spend 20 billion euros by 2030 to launch a car and set 50 billion euros to buy batteries required for power vehicles.

In April 2018, Volkswagen finally flogged the cover of its first electric racing car, the I.D. R Pikes Peak, which has been built to conquer a road race of the same name. Identity. R Pikes Peak was inaugurated in AlÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â¨s, France, and should be ready to roll out in two short months. It will be powered by twin engines, although this time they will be very electric. With a lithium-ion battery system on board, the car produces 680 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

Maps Volkswagen

Operation

Volkswagen is a founding member and member of Volkswagen Group, a major international company dealing with several brands of cars and trucks, including Audi, SEAT, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Scania, MAN, and? Koda. Volkswagen Group global headquarters is located in the historic Volkswagen house in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Volkswagen Group, as a unit, is the largest automaker in Europe. For a long time, Volkswagen already has a market share of over 20 percent.

In 2010, Volkswagen posted record sales of 6.29 million vehicles, with a global market share of 11.4%. In 2008, Volkswagen became the world's third largest car manufacturer, and, by 2012, Volkswagen is the second largest manufacturer in the world. Volkswagen has aimed to double its US market share from 2% to 4% by 2014, and aims to become, on an ongoing basis, the world's largest carmaker by 2018. Volkswagen Group's core markets include Germany and China.

Worldwide presence

Volkswagen has factories in many parts of the world, producing or assembling vehicles for local markets. In addition to factories in Germany, Volkswagen has manufacturing or assembly facilities in Mexico, USA, Slovakia, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya and South Africa. In 2011, Volkswagen was named the 25 largest companies in the world by Forbes Global 2000.

Volkswagen is building a new plant in West Java, Indonesia, which starts construction in mid-2013. Investments into a new plant, which will produce large transporters and multivans, are worth $ 140 million.

In May 2014, Volkswagen plans to start assembling certain engines in India to increase localization from 70% to 90%.

In January 2016, Volkswagen announced the launch of a new plant in Algeria during a summit between Angela Merkel and Algerian prime minister Abdelmalek Sellal.

Work-life balance

Volkswagen agreed in December 2011 to enforce rules passed by the company's work council that aims to improve work life balance by limiting corporate email functionality on BlackBerry corporate smartphones from 6:30 pm to 7:30 am. This change is in response to employee complaints about high stress levels in the workplace and the expectation that employees will promptly respond to emails after hours from home. About 1,150 of Volkswagen's more than 190,000 employees are affected by email restrictions.

Relationship with Porsche and Volkswagen Act

Volkswagen always has a close relationship with Porsche, a Zuffenhausen-based sports car manufacturer founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, original Volkswagen designer and founder of Volkswagen company, hired by Adolf Hitler for the project. The first Porsche car, the Porsche 64 in 1938, used many components of the Volkswagen Beetle. Porsche 356 1948 continues to use many components of Volkswagen, including tuned engines, gearboxes and suspensions.

The two companies continued their collaboration in 1969 to create VW-Porsche 914 and Porsche 914-6. (914-6 has a Porsche 6-cylinder engine, and 914 standard has a Volkswagen engine.) Volkswagen and Porsche will collaborate again in 1976 with Porsche 912-E (US only) and Porsche 924, which uses many Audi components and built in facilities Audi Neckarsulm. 924 was originally intended for AUDI. Most of the Porsche 944 models are built there, though they use much less VW components.

Porsche Cayenne, introduced in 2002, shared all its casing with Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7, and built at the same Volkswagen plant in Bratislava that another SUV was built.

In September 2005, Porsche announced it would increase its 5% stake in Volkswagen to 20% at a cost of EUR3 billion, with the intention that Porsche joint stock and the government of Lower Saxony would ensure that a takeover by foreign investors would be impossible. Specific offenders include DaimlerChrysler, BMW, and Renault. In July 2006, Porsche increased their holdings back to 25.1%.

On 4 March 2005, the European Commission brought action against the Federal Republic of Germany before the European Court, claiming that the Volkswagen Act, which prevented shareholders in Volkswagen from executing more than 20% of the total voting rights in the company, illegally limiting capital flows in Europe. On February 13, 2007, Advocate General DÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â¡maso Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer presented an opinion to the court to support the action. This once again opens up the possibility of a hostile takeover of VW and so on March 26 in the same year Porsche took Volkswagen's shareholding to 30.9%. Porsche officially announced in a press statement that they had no intention of taking over Volkswagen, but intended to avoid competitors taking large shares and stopping hedge funds from dismantling VW. As expected, on October 22, 2007, the European Court ruled in power with Ruiz-Jarabo and the law was beaten. In October 2007, the European Court ruled that the VW law was illegal due to protectionism. At that time, Porsche holds a 31% stake in VW - though the proportion of the voting rights is smaller, due to the Volkswagen Act - and there is speculation that Porsche will be interested in taking over VW if the law does not stand in the way. The court also prevented the government from appointing Volkswagen board members. The German government then rewrote Volkswagen's law, only to be sued again. In October 2013, the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg ruled that Volkswagen's rewritable law "be fully obeyed" by EU rules.

On October 26, 2008, Porsche revealed plans to take control of VW. On that day, he held 42.6% of Volkswagen common shares and stock options on the other 31.5%. Combined with Lower Saxony's 20.1% ownership, it leaves only 5.8% of the stock on the market - mostly with index funds that can not be sold legally. Hedge funds are desperate to cover their short positions forcing Volkswagen's share to above a thousand euros per share, making it the world's largest company by market capitalization on October 28, 2008. In January 2009, Porsche owns 50.76% stake in Volkswagen AG, The Volkswagen Act "prevents it from taking control of the company.

On May 6, 2009, the two companies decided to join together, in a merger.

On August 13, the Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Board of Trustees signed an agreement to create an automotive group with Porsche led by Volkswagen. The initial decision was for Volkswagen to take a 42.0% stake in Porsche AG at the end of 2009, and will also see the family shareholders selling Porsche Holding Salzburg's car trading business to Volkswagen. However, in October 2009, Volkswagen announced that its percentage in Porsche would be 49.9% at a cost of EUR3.9 billion (a 42.0% deal would cost EUR3.3 billion). On March 1, 2011, Volkswagen completed the purchase of Salzburg's Porsche Holding (PHS), Austria's leading specialist car distributor, for EUR3.3 billion ($ 4.55 billion).

AutoMuseum

Since 1985, Volkswagen has run the Volkswagen AutoMuseum in Wolfsburg, a museum dedicated exclusively to the history of Volkswagen. In addition to visiting exhibitions directly, Vintage Volkswagens owners anywhere in the world can order what the museum calls "Birth Certificate" for a fee of EUR50 - This formal "Certificate" shows basic information that is known at the time of manufacture (colors, options, destination, etc.).

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Auburn Volkswagen | New & Used Cars Auburn, WA

src: www.auburnvw.com

Current model

GTI model

Electrical model

GTE model

GTE is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. GTE engines, electric motors, and transmissions are fully shared with the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron:

e-models

VW e-models are all-electric vehicles.

Model R

Model R is an exotic vehicle and sport.

How BIG is Volkswagen? (They own Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti ...

src: i.ytimg.com

Historical model

2018 Volkswagen Atlas V-6 First Test Review: Party Girl - Motor Trend

src: st.motortrend.com

Electric and alternative fuel vehicles

Neat ethanol vehicles

Volkswagen do Brasil is manufactured and sold with ethanol-powered, (E100 only), vehicles in Brazil, and production is stopped only after they are replaced by more modern Flex Fuel technology. In response to the 1973 oil crisis, the Brazilian government began promoting bioethanol as a fuel, and the National Alcohol Program - PrÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â³-ÃƒÆ' lcool - (Portuguese: Programa Nacional do ÃƒÆ' lcool ) was launched in 1975. Driven by the 1979 energy crisis, and after development and testing with the government fleet by the CTA at SÃƒÆ'Ã‚ Â£ o JosÃƒÆ'Ã‚ Ã‚ dos Campos, and further testing of several prototypes developed by four local car makers, including Volkswagen do Brasil, a neat ethanol vehicle launched in the Brazilian market. The gasoline engine is modified to support the characteristics of hydro ethanol and changes including compression ratio, amount of fuel injected, replacement of material to be corroded by contact with ethanol, the use of cold spark plugs suitable for scattering heat due to higher flame temperatures, and cold-start system extras that inject gasoline from a small tank in the engine compartment to help start during the cold. In six years, about 75% of all Brazilian passenger cars are produced with ethanol engines.

Production and sales of neat ethanol vehicles fell in early 1987 due to several factors, including the sharp decline in gasoline prices as a result of the glut of oil of the 1980s, and the high sugar prices on world markets, the shift of ethanol production of sugarcane from fuel to sugar. In mid-1989, a lack of supply of ethanol fuel in the local market made thousands of vehicles in line at gas stations or outside the fuel in their garage, forcing consumers to abandon ethanol vehicles.

Flexible fuel vehicles

The 2003 VW Gol 1.6 Total Flex is the first fully flexible fuel vehicle launched in Brazil, which is capable of operating with a mixture of gasoline and E100. In March of that year, on its fiftieth anniversary, Volkswagen do Brasil was launched in the local market Gol 1.6 Total Flex, the first commercially flexible fuel vehicle in Brazil capable of running on an E20-E25 gasoline mix and up to 100% fuel hydro ethanol (E100 ). After a neat ethanol failure, consumer confidence in ethanol fuel vehicles is restored, enabling rapid adoption of flex technology. This is facilitated by an existing fuel distribution infrastructure throughout Brazil, with more than 30 thousand fueling stations, a legacy of the PrÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â³-ÃƒÆ'lcool program

Due to the rapid success and consumer acceptance of the flexible fuel version, in 2005 VW has sold 293,523 flexible fuel cars and light trucks, and only 53,074 petrol-only cars, jumped to 525,838 flexible fuel vehicles and only 13,572 gasoline - only cars and 248 light petrol trucks only in 2007, and achieved new car sales of 564,959 flexible fuel vehicles in 2008, representing 96% of all new cars and light trucks sold that year. VW do Brazil stopped the manufacture of gasoline-fueled vehicles for the local market in 2006, and all the remaining Volkswagen models of gasoline sold in Brazil were imported. The flex-fuel models currently produced for the local market are Gol, Fox, CrossFox, Parati, Polo Hatch, Polo Sedan, Saveiro, Golf, and Kombi. In March 2009, Volkswagen do Brasil has reached a milestone of two million flexible fuel vehicles manufactured since 2003.

Hybrid vehicles

Volkswagen and Sanyo have been working together to develop a battery system for hybrid cars. Volkswagen head Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the company's plans to build a compact hybrid electric vehicle. He has stated "There will definitely be compact hybrid models, such as Polo and Golf, and without major delays", with gasoline and diesel power. For example, Golf is the ideal model to become a hybrid because Golf 1.4 TSI was recently awarded the "Automatic Environmental Certificate" by the Oko-Trend Institute for Environmental Research, and is considered one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles in 2007. Also Takes Volkswagen's Braunschweig R & amp; D facility in North Germany is a hybrid version of the Touareg generation.

VW intends all future models to have a hybrid option. "Future VW models will also fundamentally be built with hybrid concepts," VW head of development Ulrich Hackenberg told Automobilwoche in an interview. Hackenberg mentioned that the car is based on Up! The concept seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show, as well as all future models, can be offered with full or partial hybrid options. Back engine! will begin production in 2011. Nothing to say about the plug-in hybrid option.

Volkswagen announced at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show 2012 launch of the Touareg Hybrid, which is scheduled for 2011. VW also announced plans to introduce a diesel-electric hybrid version of its most popular model in 2012, starting with the new Jetta, followed by Golf Hybrid in 2013 along with a version hybrid Passat. In 2012, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid sets the world record for being the fastest hybrid car with a speed of 187 mph.

Plug-in electric vehicle

In November 2009, Volkswagen announced it had hired Karl-Thomas Neumann as chief group officer for electric traction. Head of VW Research, JÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â¼rgen Leohold, said in 2010 the company has concluded that hydrogen fuel cells are not a viable option.

In May 2016, Volkswagen Group offers to retail customers nine plug-in electric cars, of which, three are all-electric cars: Volkswagen e-Up !, e-Golf and Audi R8 e-tron, and six are plug -in hybrids: Volkswagen Golf GTE, Passat GTE, Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, Q7 e-tron quattro, Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid and Cayenne S E-Hybrid. Also two plug-in limited production hybrids are produced starting in 2013, Volkswagen XL1 (250 units) and Porsche 918 Spyder (918 units). The total cumulative sales of all Volkswagen-branded cars from their initial production are expected to reach around 103,000 by the end of 2016.

In order to meet the increasingly stringent carbon dioxide emissions limits in key markets, VW Group hopes to sell about one million all-electric hybrid vehicles and plug-ins a year worldwide by 2025. The group plans to expand the reach of plug-ins with 20 pure electric cars and new plug-in hybrids, including two cars to compete with Tesla Motors, Porsche Mission E all-electric and Audi e-tron quattro, which are expected to be the first mass-produced electric vehicle brand. According to Thomas Ulbrich, head of VW brand production, this car manufacturer has the capacity to build as many as 75,000 electric batteries and plug-in hybrids a year if demand increases. Volkswagen announced in October 2015 that "it will develop a modular architecture for battery electric cars, called MEB." The standard system will be designed for all body structures and vehicle types and will enable the company to build emotionally attractive EVs with reach up to 310 mi ( 500 km). "In June 2016, VW launched a program to develop 30 all-electric cars in 10 years, and sell 2-3 million electric cars per year by 2025. Due to lower labor requirements for electric motors than for engines pistons, VW expects a gradual labor reduction as the number of electric cars increases. VW considers ownership of the battery factory is too expensive.

src: webspecial.volkswagen.de

Environmental recordings

In 1974 Volkswagen paid a $ 120,000 fine to settle a complaint filed by the Environmental Protection Agency for the use of so-called "defeat devices" that paralyze certain pollution control systems. The complaint says the use of the device violates the US Clean Air Act.

In 1996, Volkswagen first implemented seven environmental goals in Technical Development with themes involving climate protection, resource conservation, and health care, through objectives such as reducing greenhouse emissions and fuel consumption, enabling alternative fuels, and avoiding materials dangerous. The objectives have been revised in 2002 and 2007. Volkswagen was the first automaker to implement ISO 14000, during its standardized compilation and re-certification stage in September 2005.

In 2011, Greenpeace began criticizing Volkswagen's opposition to laws requiring tighter controls on CO2 emissions and energy efficiency, and launched an advertising campaign parodying the Star Wars Star Wars ad, starring VW.

In 2013, Volkswagen XL1 becomes the world's most fuel-efficient production car, with a combined fuel consumption of 261 mpg (0.90 liters/100 km). The driving force has a big impact on these results - driving "normal" produces mileage in the 120 mpg (1.96 liter/100 km) range.

In 2014, VW is registered with Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) of 34-38 mpg in the US.

Diesel emission violations

On September 18, 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said from 2008 the automaker did not install a software control device (ECU) that was designated a "defeat device", in violation of the Clean Air Act to avoid environmental regulations from NO ADA _x emissions by diesel engines 2009-2015 model year Volkswagen and Audi cars. The software detects when the cars are subjected to emission testing, and then fully activates the ECU emission controls to successfully pass. However, during normal driving conditions, emissions control software is turned off to achieve greater fuel economy and additional power, resulting in 40 times more pollution than is permitted by law. Consumer Reports tested the Jetta SportWagen TDI 2011 and found in emission mode the 0-60 mph time increased by 0.6 seconds and the highway fuel economy fell from 50 mpg to 46 mpg. Volkswagen claimed to use a defeat device, and has been instructed to recall about 482,000 cars with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder TDI engine. United States federal penalties may include fines ranging up to US $ 18 billion, and possibly criminal charges. On June 28, 2016, Volkswagen agreed to pay a $ 15.3 billion settlement, the largest automobile-related class action suit in US history.

In May 2014, the EPA was first notified for this issue by the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT), reporting on research results assigned to them by the Western University Center for Alternative Fuels, Machinery and Emissions (CAFEE). After 15 months of denying the gamed emissions control system that was deliberately gamed and even claimed incompatibility for "technical" reasons, on August 21, Volkswagen admitted to the EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) their emissions control system was rigged. This was followed by an official announcement of acceptance to the regulator on September 3 that occurred shortly after the EPA threatened to withhold approval for their 2016 cars. Volkswagen's initial public response came on Sept. 20, when a spokesman said they would stop all US sales from affected diesel models. Chairman Martin Winterkorn issued an apology and said Volkswagen would cooperate with investigators. Since Canada's emissions standards are close to those in the US, Volkswagen Canada also suspends sales of diesel-affected models. on September 22, 2015, a Volkswagen spokesperson admitted that the defeat device was installed in ~ 11 million vehicles with EA Type 189 diesel engines worldwide.

On the first business day after the news, Volkswagen's share price dropped 20% and fell 17% the next day, the same day social media ads with Wired of "how re-engineered diesel" was removed and a series of YouTube ads titled "Diesel Old Wives' Tales". On Wednesday, September 23, Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn resigned. Volkswagen rented Kirkland & amp; Ellis's law firm for defense, the same company that defended BP during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

On November 2nd, 2016, the EPA issued a second infringement notice (NOV) associated with a certain 3.0-liter Audi V6 diesel equipped with Audi, Volkswagen Touaregs, and Porsche Cayennes. The EPA was found starting with a 2009 model year all vehicles powered by non-compliant V6. During the test, EPA, CARB, and Transport Canada discovered software that enabled pollution-reduction systems while the car was being pushed under federal testing conditions, whereas during the real world driving this device was inactive. Volkswagen denied the EPA findings stating their software was legally permitted, but shortly after Volkswagen issued a stop sale for EPA disputed vehicles and an additional model that the EPA did not question.

In March 2016, the US Federal Trade Commission sued Volkswagen for false advertising, because the "clean diesel" Volkswagen vehicle was less environmentally friendly than advertised.

In November 2016, Volkswagen and its union agreed to reduce labor by 30,000 people to 2021 as a result of the cost of the violations. However, 9,000 new jobs will come with producing more electric cars. Volkswagen also announced plans to become a world leader in electric cars, generating 1 million VW-EVs in 2025 and 3 million by the group, and a VW manager claiming that diesel cars would not be available in the US.

On January 11, 2017, Volkswagen agreed to plead guilty to an emissions-cheating scandal and pay $ 4.3 billion in penalty. Six Volkswagen executives are charged. The next day, one of the executives charged was ordered to be held without collateral pending trial for fear of escaping to Germany and extradition was impossible. Senior VW management staff are warned not to travel to the US. On January 23, 2017, a US judge approved a $ 1.2 billion settlement in which 650 American dealers, "who, like consumers, were blinded by the brash scam made by VW," will receive an average of $ 1.85 million.

src: s1.cdn.autoevolution.com

Awards

Volkswagen was named the fourth most influential car of the 20th century in the Car of the Century 1999 competition, for the Volkswagen Type 1 'Beetle model. Only models of Ford T, BMC Mini, and CitroÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â¡n DS.

Volkswagen has produced three 50 Best European Car Award winners.

Volkswagen has produced five winners of the United States Motor Trend of Car of the Year award - the original Car of the Year appointment, which began in 1949.

Volkswagen has produced four newly developed World Car of the Year award winners.