by Delmer Padgett

Created on: July 02, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2010

When the last original model Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the Puebla, Mexico assembly line in 2003 it was truly the end of an era. During its long production run nearly twenty-two million "Bugs" were produced worldwide. This is a testament to just how popular the Beetle was with citizens from many nations and this is appropriate because Volkswagen literally means "Peoples Car".

The history of the Beetle started in Germany in 1933. German dictator Adolf Hitler (chiefly for political reasons) came up with a concept for a car that all the people of Germany could afford to own. Hitler assigned the task of developing this car to Doctor Ferdinand Porsche, Germany's premier automobile designer. Porsche knew that Hitler's demand that the car be priced at below 1000 marks (about $250.00 at the time was unrealistic, after all not even production king Henry Ford could make cars at this price. Hitler insisted however and stated the cars would be sold at a loss if need be.

By 1936 three prototypes were ready and these were put through rigorous testing. A four cylinder air cooled motor was selected as the power plant and although it only generated 22.5 horsepower it was very reliable and fuel efficient. Another plus too this engine choice was the decision that it be rear mounted. This gave the Beetle its excellent traction in inclement weather.

In 1938 construction began on the legendary Wolfsburg plant that was to produce the Volkswagen. Shortly after production of the car started World War II began and civilian vehicle production halted.

Porsche redesigned the car for military use and the Kubelwagen was the result, an amphibious version was also produced. The excellent all terrain performance of these vehicles inspired the U.S. Army to develop the legendary "Jeep".

After Germany's defeat in the war the allied powers resumed production of the civilian model VW at the Wolfsburg plant and by the end of 1946 nearly 12,000 cars had been made.

By the beginning of the 1950's Beetles were being shipped world wide and production of the car was steadily increased. The true heyday of the Beetle came in the 1960's, when millions of consumers flocked to the "Bug" attracted by its low price, reliability and fuel economy.

At the start of the 1970's Beetle sales began a long sharp decline. In part this was due to the availability of cheap, fuel efficient(but more powerful) cars that were being made by Japanese car companies.

By 1980 production of the Beetle totally ceased in Europe. The model was still produced in Brazil until the late 80's and in Mexico until 2003.

In 1999 VW introduced a new version of the Beetle. Although it is a well made and popular car in its own right, owners of the original say it doesn't have the charm of the cheap little car with the air-cooled engine affectingly known as "The Bug"!

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