The MID4 was an experimental sports car produced by Nissan .
120-503: First unveiled at the 1985 International Motor Show Germany , the MID4 was a concept car designed by Nissan to originally go on sale in the mid-late 1980s. Nissan had aimed the MID4 to compete with European supercars from Porsche and Ferrari . It featured a mid-engine, all-wheel-drive layout as well as a wide array of technology and features that would eventually find their way into other Nissan production cars. The MID4 would evolve into
240-627: A turbo diesel engine. Just six months later, in September 1951, a second exhibition in Berlin was held, gathering 290,000 visitors. From then on, the German automobile industry bade farewell to its traditional exhibition site in Berlin and relocated the motor show completely to Frankfurt. The IAA was also rescheduled to only take place every other year. In 1989 the last IAA to feature both passenger cars and commercial vehicles in one show confirmed that
360-547: A 3.3% increase from the previous year. When including Audis produced at Ingolstadt, the combined output from Volkswagen and its Auto-Union company constituted 50.4% of all West German cars produced that year. In 1968, the Type 1 was officially given the name "Beetle" (from "der Käfer", German for beetle ). While it was largely successful in the 1960s, recording its highest sales growth in North America from 1960 to 1965,
480-459: A 90- mile-per-hour speedometer . On 30 July 1962, Volkswagen made several updates for the 1963 model year , including the incorporation of an air filter into the oil filter, the introduction of larger-diameter cylinder head induction ports and the adoption of plastic for the headliner and window guides. Volkswagen replaced the Wolfsburg crest on the hood, which had been present since 1951, with
600-521: A car similarly shaped to the Beetle, more than five years before Porsche unveiled his initial "People's Car" design. Through a court ruling in 1953, Barényi successfully asserted his authorship and associated claims. He explained that he had previously elucidated the concept of the Beetle, which was already formulated in the 1920s, to Porsche in great detail. However, this concept was not protected sufficiently by patents . Key elements of this concept included
720-530: A claimed top speed of 249 km/h (155 mph). A multi-link rear suspension and the double wishbone front suspension were added for better handling. The ATTESA and the HICAS systems would eventually make their way to the Nissan Skyline GT-R in 1987. The MID4-II made its debut at the 1987 Tokyo Motor Show and featured many revisions to the previous design. The most significant change apart from
840-399: A final target of 3,000 per day. During 1960, the company occasionally increased production by around 100; by the end of 1960, Volkswagen planned to produce 4,000 examples daily. Nordhoff stated, "Then we believe we shall have reached a balance between supply and demand so that we can finally deliver Volkswagens to customers without a waiting period". By the early 1960s, the Wolfsburg facility
960-606: A first-timer to all Motor Shows worldwide. Additional IAA-premieres included the Electric Mobility Conference as well as the CarIT Conference dealing with the issue of connected driving. This approach was repeated in 2013. In 2015, the IAA introduced New Mobility World, a platform for the entire ecosystem of electric mobility, autonomous driving, connectivity and urban mobility. In the second week of
1080-683: A focus on passenger vehicles in odd years, and a focus on commercial vehicles in even years. The first IAA focused solely on passenger cars, held in 1991, was a huge success. A total of 1,271 exhibitors from 43 countries displayed their new products and innovations. With more than 935,000 visitors, the IAA Passenger Cars was extremely well attended. In the following year the first IAA Commercial Vehicles took place in Hanover , Germany. It saw 1,284 exhibitors from 29 countries and gathered 287,000 people, 66 per cent being trade visitors. In 2001
1200-479: A full-flow oil filter , a 6.6:1 compression ratio —allowing for the use of unleaded fuel —and an electric fuel pump . A standard version was also released in 1993, featuring painted bumper bars and many minor removals. From 1997, front disc brakes and an immobiliser became available, and the De Luxe model featured small traffic indicator side lamps ahead of the top door hinge. The steering wheel's centre boss
1320-596: A key international sector, we have a responsibility not to allow things to grind to a halt." In an impressive manner, the general public confirmed that this indeed was the right decision to take: more than 800,000 people visited this "quiet IAA". In spite of the Great Recession , the IAA Cars 2009 proved to be a magnet for visitors. Around 850,000 people visited the auto show in Frankfurt, which greatly exceeded
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#17327799752041440-707: A lack of interest from British car manufacturers; an official report included the phrase, "The vehicle does not meet the fundamental technical requirement of a motor-car [...] it is quite unattractive to the average buyer [...] To build the car commercially would be a completely uneconomic enterprise." Instead, the factory remained operational by producing cars for the British Army . Allied dismantling policy changed from late 1946 to mid-1947. During this period, heavy industry in Germany continued until 1951. In March 1947, Herbert Hoover helped change policy by stating: There
1560-677: A lawsuit, halted only by Germany's invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938, leading to the Nazi administration of the Tatra factory in October. Hitler instructed Tatra to focus exclusively on heavy trucks and diesel engines, discontinuing all car models except the V8-engined Tatra 87 . The issue resurfaced post-World War II, and in 1965, Volkswagen paid Ringhoffer-Tatra 1,000,000 Deutsche Marks in an out-of-court settlement. The name Volkswagen
1680-657: A magnet on the public, with a great number of visitors coming to the show. In 1951 the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA – Association of the German Automotive Industry) moved the IAA to Frankfurt and the federal State of Hesse purchased shares in the Messe Frankfurt . The trade fair was held in April and attracted a total of 570,000 visitors, with exhibits including the first HGV to have
1800-425: A political organisation aimed at providing the populace with leisure activities) was in charge of this project. Robert Ley , the Nazi official heading Kraft durch Freude (KdF), announced in 1938 that every German would own a Volkswagen within ten years. However, there were challenges. Gasoline prices in Germany were high due to taxes, making it expensive for private car ownership. Gasoline was also primarily used for
1920-569: A quick and inexpensive part exchange. As Hitler explained, the reason for choosing an air-cooled engine was that many rural doctors did not have access to garages for maintaining coolant. On 22 June 1934, Ferdinand Porsche received a development contract from the Verband der Automobilindustrie (German Association of the Automotive Industry) for the prototype of an inexpensive and economical passenger car after Hitler decided there
2040-518: A savings plan to buy a car. At that time, Germany had fewer cars than other European countries. In 1930, there were only about 500,000 registered cars in Germany, while France and Great Britain had over 1 million each, and the USA had more than 26 million. However, the onset of the Second World War hindered the distribution of the cars, and there was a lack of time for series production . With
2160-415: A significant downturn, leading to the loss of many dealerships for the company. In 1991, the planning of a new car began once J Mays and Freeman Thomas returned to California to open Volkswagen's Design Centre at Simi Valley . Recognising that Japanese manufacturers dominated the market in the 1970s and '80s, Volkswagen needed to introduce a vehicle to regain popularity. Before this, the company began
2280-408: A slight curvature, replacing its flat configuration. Door windows also expanded by 6%, with a slight backward canting of door vent window edges. Rear side windows increased by 17.5%, and the rear window by 19.5%. In 1967, updates comprised shortened front and rear bonnets, box-profile bumpers with a railway rails design that were installed at a higher position, vertically oriented scattering discs for
2400-416: A textile cover could be added at an extra cost. By March of the same year, the export model began to be equipped with a hydraulic brake system , which became a standard feature from April onwards. In 1952, the equipment was enhanced with the addition of vent windows in the doors, and the wheels were reduced to a diameter of 15 inches (380 mm) from the previous 16 inches (410 mm). On 10 March 1953,
2520-514: A total of 825,000 visitors – an all-time record at that time. The new Volkswagen was presented for the first time, which later came to be known as the Beetle . This was the last IAA before it was again suspended during World War II . After World War II Germany and Berlin were divided. From 1947 to 1949, West Germany's automobile and accessories manufacturers took part in the export trade fair in Hanover . The automobile industry's hall acted like
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#17327799752042640-464: Is made even better." Motor Trend , August 1960 In 1960, Volkswagen introduced a series of technical alterations. The front indicators were relocated to the front bonnet within chrome housings, and the rear indicators were integrated into the tail lamps . In January, the valve-clearing adjusting nut was slightly enlarged and resistor-type ignition leads were adopted. In March, Volkswagen made several modifications to its front trailing arm and
2760-534: Is the illusion that the New Germany left after the annexations can be reduced to a " pastoral state ". It cannot be done unless we exterminate or move 25,000,000 people out of it. Major Ivan Hirst (1916–2000), a British Army officer, has been widely acknowledged for the reopening of the factory. Hirst was ordered to take control of the heavily bombed factory, which the Americans had captured. Recognising
2880-710: The Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung ( IAA – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility trade fairs . It consists of two separate fairs, that subdivided in 1991. While the IAA Mobility displays passenger vehicles, motorcycles and bikes, the IAA Transportation specializes in commercial vehicles. Before the separation, the show was held solely at the Messe Frankfurt. In 2021,
3000-482: The Golf in 1974. In the late 1970s and '80s, Japanese automakers began to dominate the market, which contributed to the Beetle's declining popularity. Over its lifespan, the Beetle's design remained consistent, yet Volkswagen implemented over 78,000 incremental updates. These modifications were often subtle, involving minor alterations to its exterior, interior, colours, and lighting. Some more noteworthy changes included
3120-522: The Kommandeurswagen persisted until 1944 when the production at the plant halted due to the extensive damage inflicted by the Allied air raids. Due to gasoline shortages late in the war, a few " Holzbrenner " (wood-burner) Beetles were built fueled with wood logs. Planned for September 1939, Kraft durch Freude arranged an event to showcase Germany's Autobahn highway system and to promote
3240-600: The Lotus Esprit and the Ferrari Testarossa . Its all wheel drive system distributed the power from the newly designed VG30DE engine with 33% to the front and 67% to the rear, and was the predecessor to the ATTESA system. The naturally aspirated V6 engine was rated at 245 PS (242 hp; 180 kW). The MID4 was also the first car to feature Nissan's brand new HICAS four-wheel steering system and had
3360-552: The Puebla plant in Mexico, Volkswagen produced the final Type 1, after 21,529,464 examples were produced globally during its tenure. Its production span of 65 years is the longest of any single generation of automobile, and its total production of over 21.5 million is the most of any car of a single platform . To celebrate the occasion, Volkswagen marketed a series of 3,000 Beetles as "Última Edición" (Final Edition). While
3480-729: The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York cast a shadow over the IAA Cars in Frankfurt. The exhibition went ahead all the same. As a mark of solidarity with the victims and their dependants, all show elements and loud music as well as the official opening ceremony with the Federal Chancellor were cancelled. VDA President Gottschalk explained this decision: "Because we could not permit terrorist forces to take away our freedom of action. And because, as
3600-688: The V570 prototype, which featured an air-cooled flat-twin engine mounted at the rear. Hitler and Porsche both were influenced by the Tatras. Hitler, an avid automotive enthusiast, rode in Tatras multiple times during political tours of Czechoslovakia and had frequent dinners with Ledwinka. Following one such tour, Hitler remarked to Porsche, "This is the car for my roads". From 1933 onwards, Ledwinka and Porsche met regularly to discuss their designs, and Porsche admitted, "Well, sometimes I looked over his shoulder, and sometimes he looked over mine" while designing
3720-403: The 1200 received fully independent suspension , some stylistic improvements and an external fuel cap . The 1300 transitioned from six-volt to twelve-volt electrics and received dual circuit braking and a fuel gauge. The 1500 also received these alterations, as well as carburettor enhancements. In 1969, the 1200 received twelve-volt electrics, hazard warning lamps and a locking fuel cap. The 1300
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3840-632: The 1933 Berlin Auto Show . The Standard Superior , designed by Ganz for the Standard vehicle factory, featured an implied teardrop-shaped body on a central tubular frame with a rear swing axle, yet the engine was transversely installed in front of the axle, not longitudinally as a rear engine. The Austrian automobile designer Hans Ledwinka , whom Porsche was a contemporary, worked at the Czechoslovakian company Tatra . In 1931, Tatra built
3960-405: The 1957 show: The following introductions were made at the 1959 show: The following introductions were made at the 1961 show: The following introductions were made at the 1963 show: The following introductions were made at the 1965 show: The following introductions were made at the 1969 show: The following introductions were made at the 1973 show: The following introductions were made at
4080-610: The 1960s, including 1200, 1300, 1500, 1600, 1302, and 1303. Volkswagen introduced a series of large luxury models throughout the 1960s and 1970s—comprising the Type 3 , Type 4 and the K70 —to supplement the Beetle, but none of these models achieved the level of success that it did. Rapidly changing consumer preferences toward front-wheel drive compact hatchbacks in Europe prompted Volkswagen's gradual shift away from rear-wheel drive, starting with
4200-460: The 1974 model year, possessing the same specifications as the 1300 but maintaining the same overall design as the 1200. The VW 1302, introduced in August 1970, featured a redesigned front end. It incorporated a new front axle featuring MacPherson suspension struts , wishbones and a stabiliser. The enlargement of the front trunk became possible as a result. Unlike its predecessor, the spare wheel
4320-461: The 1977 show: The 1979 Show occurred in a tough year for the automobile industry, with a focus on decreased speed limits and conserving energy, with most of Western Europe on the brink of a severe recession . It also occurred at a time when car design was changing substantially, with hatchbacks and front-wheel drive becoming increasingly popular, as well as demand increasing for smaller "supermini" cars. The following introductions were scheduled for
4440-569: The 1979 show: The following introductions were made at the 1981 show: 1983 was, in most of Western Europe, a year of recovery in the new car market, as the economy recovered from the recent recession. Many important new cars were launched at Frankfurt and elsewhere during 1983. Those launched elsewhere include the Austin Maestro , Fiat Uno , Nissan Micra , Peugeot 205 and Renault 11 . The Opel Corsa (launched in Spain in September 1982)
4560-411: The 1991 show: The following introductions were made at the 1993 show: The 1995 show ran from 14 to 24 September. The following introductions were made at the 1995 show: The 1997 show ran from 11 to 21 September. The following introductions were made at the 1997 show: The 1999 show opened on 16 September, and had nearly 1,200 exhibitors from 44 countries The following introductions were made at
4680-423: The 1999 show: The 2001 show opened to international media on 11 September, with a series of concept and production vehicle debuts kicking off in the early morning. The following introductions were made at the 2001 show: For the first time, the passenger car-only exhibition in Frankfurt broke the barrier of one million visitors. It featured 2,000 exhibitors from 42 countries. The following introductions were made at
4800-466: The 2003 show: The exhibition focused strongly on future solutions such as hybrid , hydrogen , flex-fuel and SCR technologies for reducing NOx emissions. There were around 940,000 visitors to the 2005 show. The following introductions were made at the 2005 show: Volkswagen Beetle The Volkswagen Beetle , officially the Volkswagen Type 1 , is a small family car produced by
4920-573: The 58th IAA Cars 2019, with New Mobility World growing to over 400 participating organizations, doubling the number of attendees to 500,000, and increasing its international reach, with 62% of the 240 speakers and 47% attendees at the English-only conference coming from abroad. International media perceived New Mobility World to have "become the meeting point for the world's leading companies in automotive technologies and mobility" by now. The IAA itself recorded only 560,000 visitors (including NMW),
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5040-596: The Beetle started facing competition from more contemporary designs worldwide in the 1970s. The decade started out well for Volkswagen, which sold 569,000 Beetles in 1970. In 1970, fifteen Volkswagen dealerships in Washington convened to implement the Volkswagen American Dealers Association , which was made to preserve a free market of imported international automobiles through political pressure and lobbying. On 17 February 1972,
5160-614: The Beetle. As opposed to the Beetle, the Golf was substantially redesigned over its lifetime, with only a few components carried over between generations. On 10 January 1980, the final Beetle convertible of 330,281 rolled off the production line at the Karmann facility in Osnabrück . It was the most successful convertible for a long time and was replaced by the first Golf cabriolet in 1979. The number of Beetle units sold by Volkswagen
5280-489: The Forces of Occupation received 20,991 cars, leaving less than 10,000 for export or domestic consumption. The number of employees increased from 6,033 by the end of 1945 to almost 57,000 in 1957. After the war, over 10,000 apartments were built to house the workers in Wolfsburg, which then had a population of nearly 60,000. In 1959, Volkswagen invested more than DM500 million to increase daily production by 1,000, reaching
5400-437: The German company Volkswagen from 1938 to 2003. One of the most iconic cars in automotive history, the Beetle is noted for its distinctive shape. Its production period of 65 years is the longest of any single generation of automobile, and its total production of over 21.5 million is the most of any car of a single platform . The Beetle was conceived in the early 1930s. The leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler , decided there
5520-582: The IAA adopted the New Mobility World concept, formats and business model, rebranded to IAA Mobility, and moved to Munich . The IAA is organized by the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA – Association of the German Automotive Industry) and is scheduled by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), who recognize the IAA as one of the "big five" most prestigious auto shows worldwide. In 1897
5640-431: The IAA, the emissions scandal (Dieselgate) became public. Until the IAA Cars 2015, exhibitor numbers were consistently above 1,000, and the number of visitors was 931,700. The 67th IAA Cars 2017 – the first after the emissions scandal – was overshadowed by a loss of confidence in the German automotive industry. For the first time, the number of exhibitors fell below 1,000, while the number of visitors dropped to 810,000 –
5760-456: The MID4 II, though it would never be put into production. The responsibility of creating the MID4 was given to a team of designers headed by Shinichiro Sakurai in the spring of 1984. The first four prototypes were completed by March 1985. The MID4 was first unveiled at the 1985 Frankfurt Autoshow. The design was inspired by the contemporary mid-engine European sports cars of the time such as
5880-531: The New Mobility World concept, formats and business model, rebranded to IAA Mobility, and moved to Munich. 2019 marked the final year that the IAA hosted its automotive exhibition in Frankfurt. In the several previous years, more and more manufacturers opted out of the IAA or greatly downsized their presence. The marques that specialise in high performance and luxury vehicles — such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce — were often
6000-534: The Second World War because the Volkswagen plant at Fallersleben (now Wolfsburg ), founded in May 1938, was not yet finished. During the war, other German manufacturers were concurrently producing military vehicles and armaments , so the series production of the then-called Volkswagen car could not begin until peacetime; nevertheless, 210 KdF-Wagens were manufactured by the end of the war in May 1945. Following
6120-480: The Type 1 and used by the Wehrmacht . These vehicles, including several hundred Kommandeurswagen (Type 87), featured a Type 1 Beetle body mounted on the robust chassis of the four-wheel-drive Type 86 Kübelwagen prototype. The Kommandeurswagen included a portal axle, a Schwimmwagen drivetrain, wider fenders, and oversized Kronprinz all-terrain tyres, reminiscent of the later Baja Bugs . The production of
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#17327799752046240-508: The Type 60 K 10, officially known as the Porsche 64 . Although the engineers produced three vehicles, they never made it to the race due to the outbreak of war before the scheduled date; two of them disappeared during the conflict. Austrian Otto Mathé acquired the third Berlin-Rome car and raced it throughout the 1950s, becoming the fastest in its class during the 1950 Alpine Cup. He continued to use it until his death in 1995. Following
6360-406: The Type 60 before 1946, received the dub "Pretzel Beetle" due to its distinctive oval-shaped, vertically divided rear window. On 1 July 1949, the Volkswagen lineup was expanded to include the "export" model featuring enhanced interiors, chrome bumpers, and trim. It was offered in a variety of colours to distinguish it from the preceding "Standard" model. Starting in 1950, an optional sunroof with
6480-460: The Type 60 by Porsche, the Beetle project involved a team of designers and engineers comprising Erwin Komenda , who specialised in the bodywork; Josef Kales, responsible for the engine design; Karl Rabe , serving as the chief engineer; and Josef Mickl and Franz Xaver Reimspiess, the latter credited for devising the iconic Volkswagen badge. The project saw significant milestones in October 1935 with
6600-750: The V3s underwent over 50,000 km (31,000 mi) of testing across various terrains. A series of thirty W30 development models, commissioned by Porsche and manufactured by Daimler-Benz, underwent testing in early April 1937, covering a total distance of over 2,900,000 kilometres (1,800,000 mi). All vehicles featured the characteristic rounded design and included air-cooled , rear-mounted engines . A further batch of 44 VW38 pre-production cars produced in 1938 introduced split rear windows, and subsequently, Volkswagen introduced fifty VW39 cars, completed in July 1939. Kraft durch Freude (Strength Through Joy,
6720-502: The VW Beetle, impacting the Tatra 77 and other vehicles. His initial patents and publications date back to the early 1920s. The engineer Christian Binnebesel scientifically presented Jaray's significant contribution to streamline form in his 2008 dissertation. Josef Ganz's potential early contributions to the original Beetle's development remained controversial for years and lacked clear clarification. Research suggests that his idea and
6840-592: The Volkswagen Beetle continued in Australia, Mexico and Nigeria. In the 1960s and '70s, Volkswagen augmented its product portfolio with several models to supplement the Type 1—the Type 3 , the Type 4 and the NSU -based K70 sedan. None of these models achieved the level of success of the Beetle. The overdependence on a singular model, which was experiencing a decline in popularity, meant that Volkswagen
6960-668: The Volkswagen facility dedicated solely to wartime requirements, the over 330,000 KdF savers could not acquire their vehicles. Following the war, numerous KdF savers pressed for the receipt of a Volkswagen. When their request was denied, the VW saver initiative ensued, spanning several years. During the war, the factory predominantly built the Kübelwagen (Type 82), the Schwimmwagen (Type 166) and numerous other light utility vehicles . These vehicles were derived mechanically from
7080-410: The Volkswagen. The Tatra 97 of 1936 had a 1,749 cc, rear-located, rear-wheel drive, air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine . It accommodated five passengers in its compact four-door body, which provided luggage storage under the front bonnet and behind the rear seats. Just before the outbreak of World War II , Tatra filed numerous legal claims against VW for patent infringement. Tatra launched
7200-464: The adoption of the crankshaft from the Type 3 . This extended the stroke from 64 mm (2.5 in) to 69 mm (2.7 in), resulting in an engine displacement of approximately 78 cubic inches (1,280 cm ). 1965 also marked the Beetle's most extensive design change when its body stampings were extensively revised. It allowed for significantly larger windows, a departure from previous designs. The windshield increased by 11% in area and adopted
7320-412: The air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine at the rear, the transmission positioned in front of the rear axle, and the distinctive roundish shape. Dieter Landenberger, the head of Porsche's historical archive, later affirmed that Barényi played a "decisive role in the authorship of the later VW Beetle". Since then, he has been known for conceiving the original car design. Many assume that Paul Jaray shaped
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#17327799752047440-433: The biggest draw at the IAA show, and they were absent from the several previous exhibitions. BMW had downsized its presence from 11,000 to 3,000 square metres. Since 2017, visitor numbers have almost halved, this, in addition to controversies such as Dieselgate and the global climate change issue, have prompted the IAA to change the scope of the exhibition and to pick a new venue. The rapidly decreasing number of visitors in
7560-446: The car's body design through his aerodynamics calculations. According to a November 2021 update of research mentioned in the fifteenth report by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , Jaray's findings influenced the design of "Hitler's streamlined KdF car", later known as the 'beetle', which became the best-selling car globally post-war. Jaray's research results in fluid mechanics for ground-bound vehicles extended beyond
7680-495: The cessation of hostilities the British occupying forces brought the factory into operation and by the close of 1945, 1,785 Volkswagens had been built, delivered to the occupying powers and the postal service . The Beetle featured a rear-located, air-cooled four-cylinder, boxer engine and rear-wheel drive in a two-door bodywork featuring a flat front windscreen, accommodating four passengers and providing luggage storage under
7800-399: The company's lettering. A heating system was also introduced. In 1965, the 1200A designation was introduced for the standard Beetle with the 22 kW (30 hp) engine. Volkswagen introduced the 1300 in August 1965, equipped with a 1.3-litre engine producing 29.5 kW (39.6 hp). Although featuring an identical design, the 6 horsepower (4.5 kW) increase was achieved through
7920-476: The completion of the first two Type-60 prototypes, identified as cars V1 (sedan) and V2 (convertible), denoted with a "V" (for Versuchs – "prototype") signifying their status as a test car . The testing of three additional V3 prototypes began on 11 July 1936, the first of which was driven to Obersalzberg and inspected by Hitler. Two V3s were delivered to Berlin in August for examination by other Nazi Party officials, who showed great interest in them. By June 1936,
8040-657: The concept in its final form, which was slated for completion by the end of the century. To help gauge public demand of the forthcoming automobile in the United States, Volkswagen implemented a free-access telephone line to allow members to express their thoughts on the car. The line quickly became inundated with calls, with many saying, "You build it, I'll buy it!" Work on the Concept One continued, with further redesigns on its front fascia . To reduce production investments and expenses, Volkswagen initially planned to use
8160-424: The concept of a compact car played a significant role in the VW Beetle's development and its prototypes. Ganz personally drove a Hanomag Kommissbrot and a swing-axle Tatra—both featuring elements such as a central tubular frame, independent wheel suspension, and a rear/mid-engine design. Ganz incorporated these technical features into his proposed vehicle designs. Hitler reportedly saw cars designed by Josef Ganz at
8280-487: The design of MID4-II was the twin turbo intercooled VG30DETT which was rated at 330 PS (243 kW) and 245 lb⋅ft (332 N⋅m) of torque. The MID4-II was ultimately never produced due to cost. The engine would later make its way in the Nissan 300ZX which debuted in 1989. International Motor Show Germany The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany , in German known as
8400-416: The design of the Beetle changed little over its lifespan, Volkswagen implemented over 78,000 incremental updates. Typically subtle, these alterations usually involved minor updates to the exterior, interior, colours and lighting. More noteworthy changes have comprised new engines, models and systems, such as updated dashboards and hydraulic braking . The Type 11 standard limousine, initially designated as
8520-460: The development of a city car, codenamed " Chico ", in which they invested millions of Deutsche Marks . In 1993, the brand stated that the Chico was intended to begin production in 1995. However, this plan was abandoned once Volkswagen realised that the project was commercially infeasible. Mays and Thomas recognised the difficulties faced by the brand and suggested the need for a vehicle that included
8640-430: The effort to infuse the Beetle with a modernised design, this did not resonate with consumers, resulting in declining Beetle sales. In 1975, the 1303 and 1303S received rack and pinion steering, but in July of that year, Volkswagen discontinued both of them. The long-serving 1200 was renamed the "1200L" in 1976, with the additional deluxe features incorporated into the car's interior. In July 1984, Volkswagen eliminated
8760-632: The engine lid louvres. Starting in 1986, for the 1987 model year , the sole model available was the single-carburettor version with 98 cubic inches (1,600 cm ). From late 1992 for the 1993 model year, Volkswagen standardised catalytic converters , the Bosch Digifant engine management system , a lambda probe and electric ignition . This fuel-injection system proved much more straightforward and reliable than previous injection systems used on German-assembled Volkswagens since 1967. Vehicles with these modifications can be identified externally by
8880-399: The engines to breathe more effortlessly. The British automotive magazine Autocar expressed disappointment in its power increase, noting, "Even with 14 [per cent] more power, the total output of 50 bhp is very modest for the size of the engine". The Super Beetle had a 2 cm (0.8 in) increase in wheelbase , but the extra space was in front of the windshield. For 1971,
9000-450: The exhibition site in Frankfurt was now too small for this major event. Almost 2,000 exhibitors squeezed onto an exhibition site measuring 252,000 square metres. More than 1.2 million visitors attended the event. Because of the high demand, it was no longer possible to meet exhibitors' requirements for adequate exhibition stands. In view of this, the VDA decided to split the IAA from now on, with
9120-511: The final Beetle was produced at the Wolfsburg plant after 11,916,519 examples were made there. Following its discontinuation, Volkswagen ceased the ongoing development of the Beetle in Germany. On 19 January 1978, the last Beetle sedan manufactured in Europe rolled off the production line at the Emden plant with the chassis number 1182034030. After its discontinuation in Germany, production of
9240-578: The final round: Cologne , Frankfurt, Hanover , and Stuttgart . On 3 March 2020, VDA chose Munich . Munich beat out Berlin and Hamburg based on three criteria. Munich Airport is the second Lufthansa hub and has many direct international flights (second to Frankfurt); Munich is home to BMW and several other high tech industries such as Apple, Google, and many start-up companies; the city has 130,000 employees working in automobile industry. The Greens -led city council and Bavarian state government have given their support, along with 2/3 of people who responded to
9360-514: The first IAA was held at the Hotel Bristol in Berlin , with a total of eight motor vehicles on display. As the automobile became more known and accepted, the IAA became a fixed event in Germany, with at least one held every year, usually in Berlin. From 1905 to 1907, there were two per year, as the production had increased to an industrial level. In the next years the show was suspended due to
9480-407: The former has a capacity of 96.7 cubic inches (1,584 cm ). In English-speaking countries, the name "Super Beetle"—alongside "1600"—was included on the written description but not the engine cover. The 1302 possessed the same 32.4 kW (44 PS) output as the 1300, whereas the 1302S saw an increase to 36.8 kW (50 PS). This was facilitated by a twin-port cylinder head , enabling
9600-428: The front bonnet and behind the rear seat, and it has a drag coefficient of 0.48. The bodywork attached with eighteen bolts to the Beetle's nearly flat platform chassis featured a central structural tunnel. The front and rear suspension incorporated torsion bars and a front stabiliser bar, providing independent suspension at all wheels, albeit the front axle was designed with double longitudinal trailing arms, whereas
9720-415: The headlights and larger rear lights with an iron design. Volkswagen introduced external fuel filler flap, eliminating the need to open the front bonnet for refuelling. In September 1967, the 1500 Beetle was introduced. Its engine displacement was approximately 91.1 cubic inches (1,493 cm ), its power output was 32 kW (43 hp) and it featured a three-speed semi-automatic transmission . In 1968,
9840-422: The introduction of new engines, models and systems, such as improved technology or comfort. In May 1934, at a meeting at Berlin's Kaiserhof Hotel , the leader of Nazi Germany , Adolf Hitler , insisted on the development of a vehicle that could accommodate two adults and three children while not using more than seven litres of fuel per 100 km (33.6 mpg US/40.4 mpg UK). All components were designed for
9960-471: The introduction of the Volkswagen brand. Volkswagen initially slated production for the late 1930s, but the outbreak of war in 1939 meant that production was delayed until the war had ended. The car was originally called the Volkswagen Type 1 and marketed simply as the Volkswagen. It was not until 1968 that it was officially named the "Beetle". Volkswagen implemented designations for the Beetle in
10080-500: The key components. Once Heinrich Nordhoff assumed management at Volkswagenwerk , manufacturing capacity increased significantly. Production in 1946 and 1947 was rated at 9,878 and 8,973 examples, respectively, but in Nordhoff's first year, 1948, manufacture doubled to approximately 19,244 units. On 6 August 1955, the millionth example was assembled and by 1959, production capacity was rated at 700,000 units per year. By mid-1948,
10200-551: The last several exhibitions reflected the waning enthusiasm for the IAA, along with prominent protests against the car industry by environmental activists. The contract between Messe Frankfurt and VDA , the IAA organiser, expired in 2019. VDA chose not to renew the contract, citing the above reasons. Instead, VDA indicated its intention of moving its biannual automotive exhibitions to another city for 2021 onward. The final three candidate cities were Berlin , Hamburg, and Munich . Four other cities had also submitted bids but didn't make
10320-465: The locations in which it was manufactured. Official exportation of the Beetle to the Brazilian market began on 23 March 1953, with its parts imported from Germany. For the local market, the Type 1 was officially known "Volkswagen Fusca". In January 1959, Volkswagen shifted assembly to the new São Bernardo do Campo plant, initially maintaining 60 per cent of its German parts. However, by
10440-529: The mid-1960s, the cars had about 99.93 per cent Brazilian-made components. Production persisted until 1986, after over 3.3 million examples were produced there, and resumed in 1992, extending until 1996. The production of the Beetle was possible through agreements with companies like Chrysler in Mexico and the Studebaker-Packard Corporation , which assembled cars imported in complete knock-down form. The Beetle
10560-399: The military in the Nazi regime. Despite that, the Nazi leaders saw the mass-produced car as a way to promote their system. It symbolised a shift from cars being a privilege for the wealthy to a dream that lower-class Germans could now fulfil. Hitler was particularly enthusiastic about it because the car could easily be adapted for military use. The KdF-Wagen was not series-produced before
10680-407: The new model, some of which were minor. Noteworthy changes comprised an automatic choke, an anti-icing carburettor heater , a redesigned fuel tank that increased boot capacity , an external gas tank vent to prevent odours in the car, standard windshield wipers and a new ignition switch. Stylistic improvements included new paint colours and interior design options, a coloured steering wheel and
10800-441: The number of exhibitors fell to 873, in particular due to a further loss of international exhibitors. It was also accompanied by much larger protests than in the past. According to the organizers, a total of 25,000 participants, 18,000 of them by bicycle, came to a demonstration on 14 September for a change in traffic policy; the police spoke of about 15,000. The IAA Cars 2019 was the last IAA held in Frankfurt. In 2021, IAA adopted
10920-413: The ongoing World War I , and was then reinstated in 1921 with 67 automobile manufacturers displaying 90 vehicles under the motto "comfort". Despite the still perceptible after-effects of the global recession, the 22nd IAA was held in Berlin in 1931, with a total of 295,000 visitors. For the first time the exhibition included front-wheel drive vehicles. In 1939, the 29th installation of the event gathered
11040-468: The overall length increased by 8 cm (3.1 in), doubling the front trunk capacity and adding 3 cu ft (0.1 m ) of luggage space. Volkswagen also implemented a new fresh-air ventilation system, drawing its air from the rear quarter panels. In August 1972, the 1303 range superseded the 1302 model, which featured a curved windshield. This design change elicited mixed opinions; some favoured it, while others expressed dissatisfaction. Despite
11160-582: The platform of the Polo . However, in 1995, at the Tokyo Motor Show , the company unveiled another prototype , sharing its wheelbase and its broader range of engine options with the Golf . Simultaneously, Volkswagen announced that it would be named the "New Beetle". After over six years of planning and development, Volkswagen introduced the New Beetle in 1997. On 30 July 2003 at 9:05 a.m., at
11280-435: The previous model; it was a horizontally opposed , overhead valve , four-cylinder air-cooled engine . It generated 40 kilowatts (54 PS; 54 hp) at 3,900 rpm and produced 83 newton-metres (61 lbf⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm. The 1961 Beetle introduced a full-synchronised four-speed manual transmission , replacing the former non-synchronised first gear. The Volkswagen facility implemented 27 alterations to
11400-508: The purported beginning of the production of the KdF-Wagen , involving a 1,500-kilometre (930 mi) journey from Berlin to Rome. Erwin Komenda supervised the development process, while Karl Froelich was responsible for creating official plans that they subsequently used to form a wooden scale model. The model was wind tunnel tested at Stuttgart University by Josef Mickl. Dubbed the "Berlin-Rome car", Porsche AG's engineers designed
11520-502: The ratio is now down to about every four [Volkswagens] out of every ten. If the current VW starts to slip, the new [Type 3]—soon to be introduced—probably will be imported to justify the [company's] more than 600 [Volkswagen] dealerships and the $ 100 million investment in facilities". He continued by expressing that the Type 3 had failed to leave a positive impression on industry executives in both Europe and North America. The new engine essentially possessed identical specifications as
11640-541: The rear axle was a swing axle . Light alloy forms the Beetle's engine, transmission, and cylinder heads. German-Bohemian Ferdinand Porsche (1875–1951) and his team were generally known as the original designers of the Volkswagen. However, there has been debate over whether he was the original designer. Rumours circulated, suggesting that other designers, such as Béla Barényi , Paul Jaray , Josef Ganz and Hans Ledwinka , may have influenced its design. In 1925, Austro-Hungarian automotive engineer Béla Barényi designed
11760-410: The recognisable design of the Beetle as a potential solution to improve customer appeal. During development, this car was known as the "Concept One" project. The prototype version of the project was revealed at the 1994 Detroit Motor Show , and a red convertible variant of the model was showcased at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show . It took a year for Volkswagen to officially confirm the production of
11880-401: The reintroduced louvred engine lid, heavier and larger bumper bars, four-stud wheels with twenty ventilation holes and a "1600i" badge on the engine lid. The 1993 model also featured a third-generation Golf -style steering wheel and front seats, a protection alarm, handbrake and engine compartment lamps and an optional ZF limited-slip differential . The engine received hydraulic tappets ,
12000-602: The scarcity of occupations in Germany and the shortage of vehicles in the British Army, Hirst persuaded the British military to order 20,000 cars, stating that it "was the limit set by the availability of materials". By March 1946, production capacity was rated at approximately 1,000 units per month. Based on an eight-hour shift in mid-1946, production was around 2,500 per month. At the time, about 1,800 machine tools were in operation, of which 200 were used exclusively for
12120-467: The split rear window was replaced with a one-piece rear window. Starting in 1954, the Type 122 engine had a 77 mm (3.0 in) cylinder bore , increased by 2 mm (0.08 in), and an engine displacement of 1,192 cc (1.19 L; 72.74 cu in), surpassing the previous 1,131 cc (1.1 L; 69.0 cu in). This engine produced 22 kW (30 PS), a 4 kW (5.4 PS) improvement over its predecessor. In 1955,
12240-458: The steering damper. In May 1960, Volkswagen added plastic warm air ducts to decrease noise. In the mid-1960s, the traditional labels "standard" and "export" for the Beetle's model variants were superseded by numerical designations, approximately correlating with the engine displacements. In the October 1961 issue of Motor Trend , Don Werner noted, "Five years ago, out of every ten imported cars sold, six were Volkswagens. [The] latest figures show
12360-412: The survey. The event was planned to take place from 7 to 12 September, before the start of Oktoberfest , but was cancelled due to Covid. The IAA Mobility finally took place in September 2021. The following introductions were made at the 1951 show: The following introductions were made at the 1953 show: The following introductions were made at the 1955 show: The following introductions were made at
12480-416: The target of 750,000. The headline "A Moving Experience" showed, where the mobility of tomorrow is heading. A huge number of options were presented at the IAA, ranging from the mild hybrid and the plug-in hybrid to the all-electric car, fuel cells and hydrogen power. The 2010s were marked by the transformation of the automotive industry : In 2011 the 63rd IAA featured the all-new "Hall of Electric Mobility",
12600-802: The time given us. The wheel of history never turns back! Whatever opportunities you miss today will never return! The new year will have 366 days this time; every day, we will cross one off—and soon there will be only four left. No power of heaven or earth will bring those days back. Let us use this time, as long as we are free to do so, as we are now, and as we shall still be for a few years. The Emden facility represented an expenditure exceeding DM154.4 million, with Beetle operations beginning there on 1 December 1964. By late 1965, Volkswagen's annual production exceeded 1,600,000 units, averaging 6,800 units per day. Volkswagen's share of all cars produced in West Germany reached 48.6 per cent, representing
12720-548: The total West German automotive market and 42.3 per cent of sub-2,750 lb (1,250 kg) commercial vehicle market there. Nordhoff's recurring encouragement proved to be highly effective. He consistently urged the team to work harder, reduce expenses and avoid complacency and corporate inefficiencies. In January 1960, Nordhoff quoted: We shall some day speak of the Golden Fifties . We are now moving away from them and we must recognise that fact and use
12840-416: The traditional VW semaphore turn signals were replaced by conventional flashing directional indicator lamps for North America, followed by their worldwide replacement in 1961. In 1958, the Beetle received a revised instrument panel, and a larger rectangular rear window replaced the previous oval design. "The 1961 Volkswagen sedan provides the kind of happy surprise that comes when an excellent motor vehicle
12960-431: The war, the Beetle experienced a significant growth in success. On 11 April 1945, Fallersleben , where 17,000 people lived, was officially designated " Wolfsburg ". Official series manufacture of the saloon began on 27 December 1945; Volkswagen made fifty-five vehicles by the end of the year. The Volkswagen facility, initially slated for dismantling and transportation to Britain under American control in 1945, faced
13080-573: The world car production record was broken by the Beetle, with a total of 15,007,034 units produced worldwide, thereby surpassing the production figure that had been held by the American Ford Model T for nearly fifty years. Volkswagen donated the car to the Smithsonian Institution for permanent exhibition in its industrial history section. By 1973, over 16 million Beetles had been manufactured. On 1 July 1974,
13200-407: The worst figure since 2001. Meanwhile, New Mobility World grew significantly to 250 participating organizations, 200 conference speakers and 250,000 visitors. Since 2017, NMW's purpose was to not only to be Europe's leading innovation platform for future mobility, but also to develop and establish formats and business models beyond the booth rental of conventional auto shows. This trend continued at
13320-467: Was a need for a people's car —a car affordable and practical enough for lower-class people to own—to serve the country's new road network, the Reichsautobahn . Although the Volkswagen Beetle was primarily the conception of Porsche and Hitler, the idea of a "people's car" is much older than Nazism and has existed since the introduction of automotive mass-production. Originally designated as
13440-423: Was a need for a people's car —an inexpensive, simple, mass-produced car—to serve Germany's new road network, the Reichsautobahn . The German engineer Ferdinand Porsche and his design team began developing and designing the car in the early 1930s, but the fundamental design concept can be attributed to Béla Barényi in 1925, predating Porsche's claims by almost ten years. The result was the Volkswagen Type 1 and
13560-553: Was also imported to the UK from April 1983, where it was sold as the Vauxhall Nova . The following introductions were made at the 1983 show from 12 to 22 September: The following introductions were made at the 1985 show: The following introductions were made at the 1987 show: The following introductions were made at the 1988 show: The following introductions were made at the 1989 show: The following introductions were made at
13680-460: Was at its lowest in the 1980s. The Beetle faced competition from Japanese automakers such as Toyota and Honda , whose cars were uprated in reliability and performance. The closure of Volkswagen's Pennsylvania factory was due to high costs, subpar quality, and poor sales. In the United States, Volkswagen introduced the Rabbit and Corrado , both of which had little success. The overall sales suffered
13800-427: Was available with a semi-automatic transmission and radial-ply tyres . In 1970, the 1500 received a new carburettor and dual circuit braking, and Volkswagen discontinued the 1500. In 1971, the 1200 received a larger windscreen, while the 1300 received a power increase to 32 kW (43 hp) and larger brakes, effectively replacing the 1500. Volkswagen replaced the 1300 with the 1300A "economy version" in 1973 for
13920-659: Was in a financial crisis and needed German government funding to produce the Beetle's replacement. Consequently, the company introduced a new generation of water-cooled, front-engined, front-wheel-drive models, including the Golf , the Passat , the Polo and the Scirocco , all of which were styled by the Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro . By 1979, the Golf constituted over 50 per cent of Volkswagen sales, and it eventually became Volkswagen's most successful model since
14040-430: Was massive. It accommodated about 10,000 production machines and covered 10.8 million square feet in roofed area, more than the combined residential area in Wolfsburg . Daily production increased to approximately 5,091, and the plant employed over 43,500 workers. By 1962, Nordhoff had spent over DM675 million in expanding the factory. At that time, Volkswagen sales constituted 34.5 per cent of
14160-500: Was no longer positioned diagonally at the front under the hood but instead rested horizontally under a cover in the trunk area. The company initially intended to designate the car as the "1301", but a trademark already held by the French company Simca compelled Volkswagen to use "1302" instead. Volkswagen produced the more powerful 1302S alongside the 1302. The latter has an engine displacement of 79 cubic inches (1,300 cm ), while
14280-468: Was officially substituted by the term KdF ( Kraft durch Freude ; German for 'Strength Through Joy') derived from the Nazi organisation once Hitler ceremoniously laid the foundation stone for the Volkswagen factory on 26 May 1938. As part of this organisation, Volkswagen urged workers to "save five marks a week and get your car". Before the completion of the KdF factory, many Germans had already signed up for
14400-457: Was restyled to resemble that of the contemporary Golf and Polo. In 1998, Volkswagen removed the small through-flow ventilation slots behind the rear side windows and standardised front disc brakes. Furthermore, Volkswagen included a security alarm as standard and removed the "1600i" inscription from the engine lid. Over its 65-year tenure, Volkswagen produced the Volkswagen Type 1 in numerous locations worldwide. The following list encompasses all
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