The Volkswagen Beetle occupies a place of honor in the history of the vehicle, leaving an indelible mark on it. Exactly 20 years after the last unit of the Beetle left the last assembly line of this model in Mexico, Forefront and ChatGPT tell us about the vehicle that tells almost the entire history of the 20th century:
The story of the Beetle began in the 30s, when the German Labour Front – the grassroots organization of the National Socialist Party – commissioned Ferdinand Porsche to design the "popular car" (Hitler's idea, which Volkswagen, founded to realize, is still named after) – a comfortable and practical car for the masses. The result was a Volkswagen Type 1, later known as the Beetle. Its distinctive rounded shape, air-cooled engine and accessible price made it an immediate success when it went on sale in 1938.
After World War II, and despite its origin, the beetle gained great popularity around the world. The British, who took over the factory, recognized its economic potential, and resumed production shortly after the end of the war. The simple design, reliability and relatively efficient fuel efficiency appealed to a wide range of consumers. The Beetle became a symbol of the postwar economic boom and a cultural icon of the counterculture movement of the 60s.
Over the years, the Beetle has undergone a number of design changes and technological advances. In the 50s, its windows were enlarged, the suspension was improved and the engine was strengthened. The 60s saw innovations such as the curved windshield, larger rear lights and a padded instrument cluster. Introduced in 1971, the Super Beetle featured a front suspension system and increased luggage compartment space.
The Beetle's popularity peaked in the 70s, when it surpassed Ford's legendary Model T as the world's best-selling car. By 1972, more than 15 million beetles had been produced. Its production has also been distributed to many factories around the world, including Germany, Brazil and Mexico. In Mexico, production continued until July 30, 2003. In Germany, it was discontinued in 1978.
After a break in upgrades, Volkswagen revived the Beetle in 1998 with the introduction of the new Beetle. This is a different and modern vehicle based on the contours of the original Beetle, while incorporating contemporary features and technology. The new Beetle enjoyed initial success, but did not become as big a hit as the original and production was eventually halted in 2019, after only about 20 years, bringing the Beetle era to a final end.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us