The Beetle is a well-loved car that has seen a lot of generations. Its sleek design and efficient engine made the car a household name.
Not a lot of people know about this fact, but the VW Beetle originated in Nazi Germany. It was designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and none other than Adolf Hitler.
Image source: warefarehistorynetwork.com
The idea of the Beetle has been introduced in the mid-1930s. It was first designed as a civilian recreational vehicle. It was marketed as a small car that could carry a family of five.
Before the war, Hitler limited the price of the car to 900 marks and gave Porsche 10 months to build a prototype. Hitler monitored the progress but found out that Porsche was Czech. He quickly rectified the political problem by converting Porsche’s citizenship. Unfortunately, the war happened, and the production of the Beetles focused on the military activities. The “people’s car” became the “commander’s car”, the “bucket car”, and the “amphibious car.”
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VW went back to operation after the war. The “people’s car” or the Type 1 was sold in America and other countries. By 1972, it sold more than 15 million units. People loved the Beetle because of its affordability and engine efficiency.
Even after so many decades, fans find themselves buying the latest Beetle models because it somewhat reminds them that a classic will never go out of style.
What else do you know about the Beetle? Let’s talk about cars! Follow me, Alexander Potoczak, on Twitter.
