Volkswagen

Volkswagen began on May 28, 1937, when the German Labour Front founded the Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH in Berlin to build an affordable “people’s car.” Ferdinand Porsche’s prototypes led to the Beetle, but World War II halted production. In 1945 British officer Ivan Hirst revived the Wolfsburg plant, and by 1949 the Beetle was in full production. Through the 1950s and ’60s the Beetle became a symbol of postwar recovery and counterculture, followed by the 1974 launch of the front-wheel-drive Golf, which set new standards for compact cars. Today Volkswagen’s range spans city cars like the up!, compacts such as the Polo and Golf, and SUVs from the T-Cross to the Touareg. The brand’s Modular Transverse Toolkit platform underpins multiple segments, while its Modular Electric Drive Kit powers the ID family, ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and upcoming models, marking VW’s shift to battery electric vehicles. Software-defined architecture enables over-the-air updates and integrated digital services, from intelligent navigation to voice-activated infotainment. Volkswagen is targeting carbon-neutral production by 2050, investing heavily in renewable energy, sustainable materials and circular-economy initiatives. As it navigates stricter emissions regulations and evolving mobility needs, VW is leveraging its scale to democratize EV technology and build a global charging ecosystem.