The beginnings of the Volkswagen brand date back to the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler launched the idea of a 'people's car', practical, reliable and affordable. Among many projects, it is that of Ferdinand Porsche who is engaged: a small car to the aerodynamic look, equipped with an air-cooled engine located in the rear. This "KdF-Wagen" prototypes were built in 1936. A brand new plant emerges from the Earth in the new town of KdF-Stadt (today Wolfsburg), but the war pushes back the launch of the car. Instead, the factory produced the Type 82 "Kübelwagen", based on the future beetle, but intended for military use. After the conflict, the plant occurs in the British occupation zone. The UK authorities visit to several Allied manufacturers, including Ford, which it was proposed to take over the company for free. All refuse, believing Volkswagen without a future. Need to wait the arrival of Heinrich Nordhoff, a veteran of Opel, at the head of the company for the production finally departed. The Ladybug success quickly, and is complemented by the 'Combi' Type 2 (1950) and the coupés and cabriolets Karmann-Ghia (1955). In the 60's and 70's, the range continues to expand, while Volkswagen purchased Auto Union (1964) and NSU (1969), allowing it to absorb a crucial know-how. Indeed, the aging beetle sees its sales decline, and it is becoming urgent to replace. The first Passat was launched in 1973, and then the Scirocco coupe and especially the Golf in 1974, available in version GTI in 1975. Finally, the arrival of the Polo completes the formation of a modern range of wheel drive front and engines water-cooled. Over the years 80 and 90, Volkswagen and subsidiary Audi (result of merger of Auto Union and NSU) begin a move upmarket, facilitated by the purchase of Seat (1986) and Skoda (1991). During this period, the Golf asserts itself as a reference model for rival brands. At the end of the 1990s, under the leadership of the ambitious boss Ferdinand Piëch, the Volkswagen Group settled in the very high end, absorbing Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti. At the same time, the company deploys a policy of common platforms that allows decline a large number of models minimizing development costs. The international strategy is also very ambitious, with the installation of factories in the world, particularly in China and the United States. In 2005, Porsche and Volkswagen, who collaborated for a long time were approaching, and then eventually merge in 2009.
