Conceived as an affordable people’s car, the Volkswagen Beetle would become a global icon.
An Ambition on Four Wheels
On 22 October 1936, early Volkswagen prototypes underwent road testing, putting Ferdinand Porsche’s engineering team’s compact-car concept to the test. The ambition was bold: make motoring accessible to ordinary families.
The design was distinctive, featuring a rear-mounted, air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine and rounded bodywork. Commissioned in 1934 under Nazi Germany’s regime, the project was also tied to the political ambitions of the era.
From Prototype to Legend
The Second World War delayed civilian production. In December 1945, under British military administration, the Wolfsburg factory resumed car production, with Major Ivan Hirst instrumental in its revival.
Known worldwide as the Volkswagen Beetle, the car became celebrated for its simplicity, practicality and unmistakable shape. Production continued across several countries until 2003, when the final Beetle rolled off the line in Mexico. Approximately 21.5 million were built, making it one of the most successful automotive designs ever produced.
Born amid political determination, the Beetle grew into a global motoring icon — a reminder that a vehicle’s legacy can outgrow the circumstances of its creation.
