Car History Season 2 Episode 13 Volkswagen, Part 1
- May 13, 2014
- 25 min
Car History season 2 episode 13 delves into the origins of one of the most iconic car brands in the world - Volkswagen. In the first part of this two-part episode, viewers get an in-depth look at the history of the company and the development of its first car, the Volkswagen Beetle.
The episode starts with a brief overview of the state of the auto industry in Germany in the 1930s, as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party rose to power. Hitler envisioned Germany as a car-loving nation, with affordable vehicles available to everyone. He tasked Ferdinand Porsche, a renowned engineer, with creating a car that could bring this vision to life.
Porsche quickly began working on a concept for a car that would meet Hitler's requirements, including a price point of less than 1,000 Reichsmarks. The result was the Volkswagen Type 1, also known as the Beetle, which made its debut at the Berlin Motor Show in 1938.
Viewers are taken on a journey through the development of the Beetle, from its initial prototypes to the final product. Porsche and his team faced a number of challenges, including finding a suitable engine and designing a car that was both compact and spacious enough for passengers.
The episode also explores the various factors that contributed to the success of the Beetle, from its unique design to its affordability. It quickly became a popular car in Germany and beyond, with production ramping up in the early 1940s to meet demand.
However, production of the Beetle came to a halt with the outbreak of World War II. The Volkswagen factory was repurposed for military production, and the company's future was uncertain.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager to find out what happened to Volkswagen in the years following the war and how the company continued to evolve.
Overall, Volkswagen, Part 1 is a fascinating look at the history of one of the most beloved car brands in the world. Viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of the origins of the Beetle and the factors that contributed to its enduring popularity.
