Brief history of first Volkswagen Beetle to roll off production 75 years ago

Needless to say, the Volkswagen Beetle is a well-known car in the automotive scene around the world. There are many reputable factors that contribute to its global success such as its timeless design, easy-to-maintain powertrain, and more.

The first Volkswagen Beetle, or Type 1, was introduced in 1938 but the first Civilian Series was introduced just after Christmas in 1945 after the end of World War II. The Type 1 was intended to be used by the British Military Government as a transportation vehicle for their tasks within their occupation zone. The mechanicals and chassis of this car were also used in the creation of the Karmann-Ghia three decades later, though it was discontinued and there isn't a Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia 2017 for sale today. 

It was on December 27, 1945 when the first VW Beetle Civilian Series was produced

The production of the Type 1 was difficult at that time due to material shortages, as well as lack of personnel. Despite the shortages, there are about 1,000 VW Beetles units produced every month for its first two years of production. And in 1947, the trustees responsible for the production of the Type 1 established a sales and after-sales service system and began exporting it.

It was in 1949 that the Type 1 trustees have seen the growth of the Volkswagen sedan. In fact, the Type 1 is considered as a symbol of the German “Economic Miracle” especially after the destruction brought by the infamous World War II.

>>> Related: Say goodbye to the iconic Volkswagen Beetle

Germany's 'Economic Miracle'

The production of the Volkswagen Beetle was discontinued in 2003 after a continuous decline in sales. Volkswagen managed to only sell 30,000 Type 1 units by 2003, a massive drop from the peak 1.3-million sold units in 1971.

Overall, there are a total of 21,529,464 vehicles VW Beetles produced, including 15.8-million in its homeland Germany. This makes the VW Beetle the second most sold vehicle of all time with the Toyota Corolla up at the top. The VW Beetle’s timeless design and reputable history will always be remembered in the following years to come.

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