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Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer located in Wolfsburg, Germany. During Hitler’s reign, he ordered Ferdinand Porsche to make changes to the car he designed in 1931 to make it better for the working man. Hans Ledwinka talked with Ferdinand Porsche to discuss his ideas for this automobile. Much of the design featured ideas from the Tatra, which was seen in the 1938 Kdf-Wagen, which was later named VW Kafer or what we know as the Beetle.
Changes that were noted included better fuel efficiency, more reliability, and easier to use. The car had a unique round shape and had an air-cooled, flat-four, rear mounted engine. The chief designer of the car was Erwin Komenda, which is still the design of the Beetle we see today. This design was one of the first to use a wind tunnel. The Type 1 Cabriolet was given to Hitler on his birthday in 1938 even though none was ever seen by the public.
War hit Germany, production of cars was ceased, and the focus was on machines used for the war effort. Vehicles made during this time were the Type 81 Kubelwagen utility vehicle and the Schwimmwagen an all-wheel-drive off-roader.
The factory was heavily bombed by Americans during the war and everything was handed over to the British. The factory was then put under the control of Ivan Hirst. Hirst painted one of the vehicles green and showed it to British Army headquarters, which ordered 20,000. The first cars manufactured were given to occupying forces and the German Post Office.
After the occupation, many UK service personnel took their Beetles home with them. Of course, production of the Volkswagen began to grow after the war.
In 1948, Heinrich Nordhoff was given the position to run the factory. In 1949, Hirst left the company.
In 1949, Volkswagen was unveiled and sold in the United States. Only two were sold in that year. To try to boost sales to the American public it was called for a short time Victory Wagon. In 1955, Volkswagen of America was established for sales, service, and the production of the Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle.
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