Volkswagen

Some of the key events about Volkswagen

• 1937

  Founded as a state-owned enterprise to produce affordable cars for the German people
• 1937

  Founded as a state-owned enterprise under Nazi Germany to produce the "people's car"
• 1945

  Resumed production of the Volkswagen Beetle after World War II
• 1945

  Forced labor was used extensively in Volkswagen factories during World War II
• 1949

  Introduced the iconic Volkswagen Type 2 (Microbus/Transporter)
• 1955

  Produced its one-millionth Volkswagen Beetle
• 1961

  Volkswagen established a subsidiary in apartheid South Africa, facing criticism for operating under the regime
• 1965

  Acquired Auto Union GmbH (now Audi)
• 1972

  Surpassed the Ford Model T as the world's best-selling car with the Beetle
• 1973

  Volkswagen do Brasil was accused of collaborating with the Brazilian military dictatorship
• 1974

  Introduced the Volkswagen Golf, which became one of the world's best-selling car models
• 1993

  Volkswagen was accused of industrial espionage against General Motors
• 1998

  Launched the "New Beetle", a modern interpretation of the classic Beetle design
• 2002

  Introduced the Touareg, marking Volkswagen's entry into the luxury SUV market
• 2005

  A corruption scandal involving bribery and illegal privileges for labor representatives was uncovered
• 2015

  Became the world's largest automaker by sales, surpassing Toyota
• 2015

  The "Dieselgate" emissions scandal was exposed, revealing Volkswagen had been cheating on emissions tests
• 2016

  Volkswagen agreed to pay $14.7 billion in a settlement over the diesel emissions scandal in the US
• 2017

  Volkswagen pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the diesel emissions scandal in the US
• 2019

  Volkswagen faced allegations of using forced labor in China's Xinjiang region through a joint venture

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