Proud German Engineering - the VW Beetle Car

In the landmark movie "Fog of War - 11 Lessons of Life of Robert Mc Namara" the then chairman of the Ford Motor Co recalled how he created a statistical analysis marketing department. As an example of its use he asked the "fellow" about VW Beetles in the US automotive marketplace. "Its an economy car that does low volumes" was the retort and of little significance and potential volumes for sale. Find out about it was Mr. Mc Namara's response. Amazingly the report came back "People with money - Doctors, Lawyers and Engineers are buying this thing". As a result Ford realized the market for a compact, economy vehicle and went on to develop the groundbreaking ( for its time and the US auto industry) Ford Falcon. The Ford Falcon was the chassis and powertrain on which the Ford Mustang was later ( quickly) built upon. Hence the influence and power of effect of the simple VW Beetle went far beyond its simple appearance.

The Beetle project was started in 1933 by Adolf Hitler when he became the German Chancellor. Once the design was finalized, the site for the factory was chosen near the village of Fallersleben. The foundation stone was ceremonially laid by Adolf Hitler in May 1938. He then announced that the car would be called the KdF-Wagen or the Strength through joy car. By 1939, the first part of the plant was finished. Due to the outbreak of World War II, only 630 Volkswagen were produced during this period. However, over 50,435 Kubelwagen's, the Volkswagen's military version, were produced. Early VWs were certainly simple economy cars. Gasoline was measured without a gas gauge. The owner picked up the hood and with a wooden ruler type device stuck the "gas gauge" into the filler opening and measured the gas level with an oil type dipstick. The gas tank opening was under the front hood not on the side or back outside of the vehicle.

Work resumed and up to 7677 cars were built in 1946. The plant was able to sustain this output even though it was very difficult. In 1948, Heinz Nordhoof was made General Manager. He instantly set out to make the Beetle go global. In July 1947 he launched a highly enhanced export model which sold very well in Holland. He saw that the great potential of the American market and in 1955 instituted Volkswagen of America. A new Austrian recruit named Franz Xavier Reimspiess presented a four-cylinder boxer type motor. Its simplicity allowed it to be produced even cheaper than the engine then being developed. Aside from that, he also came up with the VW symbol.

In 1937, the VW was made a government-funded project. Hitler said that the car should look like a beetle to be streamlined. Tests were run and changes were made. Once the car's design was settled, the German government started work on the factory. In May 1938, the foundation stone was ceremonially laid by Adolf Hitler. The first phase of the plant was finished in 1939. Manufacturing was however interrupted due to World War II.

After the war, the town was renamed Wolfsburg. Porsche and the design team had to follow the following specifications for the project: the selling price for the car was to be less than RM 1000 (₤86), reach 100 kph (62 mph) and travel 100 km on 7 liters of petrol (42 mpg). Hitler further insisted on an air-cooled engine. Porsche's design office had an existing design, Type 33, which came close to the specifications. Heinz Nordhoof became the General Manager in 1948. He saw that America was a great potential market and in 1955 established Volkswagen of America. Long before Toyota became a household name in the US and Canada the Beetle had made its record as the best ranking import car model and brand. By 1968, sales were highest at 423,008 cars sold. Plants were created from 1951 to 1964 in South Africa, Brazil, Australia and Mexico.

The Beetle beat out the record for a single car production of a given model - the previous record holder being the Ford Model T. Still it must be said that Ford benefited from the Beetle's production run and example. The Ford Falcon - America's first post War economy car was inspired by the VW Beetle's experiences and example in the US auto marketplace. The Ford Falcon ( known in other forms as Mercury Comet and the Ford Frontenac in the Canadian marketplace) was both a most profitable market niche product for Ford and also was the basis for the widely successful and profitable Ford Mustang Pony car. Indeed as a result of having the Falcon product on line , the Mustang was brought to the US auto market quickly and with a low purchase price. Few young Mustang owner's realized it but early Mustang models even sported the same dash and their parent's economy car - the little Ford Falcon. Amazingly by standards of 2011 this compact car - the Falcon or even the American Motors AMC cars the Ramblers - now look like large and substantial automobile products on roads and highways. Unfortunately, Heinz Nordoff died in 1968. For one minute, factory work was stopped to pay a silent tribute to the person who turned Volkswagen into Germany's biggest car company and one of Europe's largest.

In 1972, the Beetle overtook the Model T Ford as the best-selling car in history. But VW made the same mistake as Ford by keeping the Beetle in production far too long. In 1974, Volkswagen recorded its first loss. Thus, the Beetle was replaced and the last Wolfsburg Beetle was produced in July 1974.

This rugged little car's charm has won the hearts of many, making it an all-time top-seller. Even with its aged design, it's still being manufactured after more than forty years. More than twenty million Beetles have been made and more continue to be produced in Mexico and Brazil.

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