I’ve mentioned it before, I know. But my first car was a Volkswagen Bug hailing from the year 1969. I was just five years old when my car came off the line. Yet, we didn’t officially meet until 1980. That was the year that our neighbor who lived across the street, Mrs. Kohler, sold it to my parents. And while it was always “officially” Mom and Dad’s, I was the only person who drove it. She was a beautiful machine. Lots of chrome, with a shiny black exterior. The interior seats were a dark maroon. I loved that car.
Anyway, since that time, I’ve had a fond place in my heart for the VW.
And today, everyone in the world seems to like the Volkswagen brand. They are the second top-selling automaker in the world, following the number one Toyota.
But they started a long time ago. You see, in German, “Volk” means “people,” and “Wagen” refers to cars. So, Volkswagen is basically the “people’s car.” The company was launched back in 1937. Some history points to Hitler having some involvement in influencing this. Nonetheless, it is a good company today.
Here is something you might not know about them, though.
Volkswagen sells more sausages than cars. Yes, indeed, they produce sausages. Volkswagen makes and sells at least 18,000 sausages daily, which is way more than the cars they manufacture. Apparently, they do this in-house to feed their workers.
Apparently, they also take part in housing those people who are employed there. The city of Wolfsburg, founded in 1938, was built to house Volkswagen workers. To date, one of the largest Volkswagen companies is found in Wolfsburg.
All those workers must be doing a good job because, over time, Volkswagen has acquired various luxury car companies, including Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Audi. The company also owns the motorcycle company Ducati. All around the world.
I’m telling you, what’s not to love about a VW? They are highly innovative and are well known for adding valuable features to their cars. Like this. In 1959, they went above and beyond to include dash-mounted coffee makers in the Beetles. The company used the Hertella Auto Kaffee Machine with porcelain cups. A little cup of Joe on your way to work. Vrrrroooom.
But mostly, the Volkswagen company never gives up. Because, in the first year that Volkswagen ventured into the US market, they sold only two cars. However, the Beetle caught on from that point on. By 1955, the company had made enough sales to establish the Volkswagen of America.
I’m glad they did. And I’m also glad that Ethel and Dick Kohler walked into the VW dealership in 1969 and selected their cool car. She wound up in my good hands. Until a motorcycle hit us while I was driving in 1982. It totaled her, but all the people were alright. I think she had something to do with that.
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“Cars are the sculptures of our everyday lives.” – Chris Bangle
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“Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that’s what gets you.” – Jeremy Clarkson
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“Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car.” – E.B. White
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Those Bugs. The cute kind.
