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{{short description|German automobile manufacturer}}
{{Redirect|VW}}
{{About|the passenger car manufacturer|the parent company|Volkswagen Group|the manufacturer of light commercial vehicles|Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles|the manufacturer of heavy trucks and buses|Volkswagen Truck & Bus}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Volkswagen
| logo = Volkswagen logo 2019.svg
| logo_size = 150
| fate = 
| type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=y|1937|05|28}}
| location_city = [[Wolfsburg]]
| location_country = Germany
| founder = [[German Labour Front]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Thomas Schäfer (CEO, Volkswagen Passenger Cars)
| industry = [[Automotive industry|Automotive]]
| revenue = 
| revenue_year = 
| profit = 
| profit_year = 
| num_employees = 
| num_employees_year = 
| parent = [[Volkswagen Group]]
| subsid = 
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.vw.com/en.html|vw.com}}
}}

'''Volkswagen''' ('''VW'''; {{IPA|de|ˈfɔlksˌvaːɡŋ̍|German|de-Volkswagen.ogg}})<ref group="Note">English: {{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|f|ɒ|l|k|s|v|ɑː|ɡ|ən|,_|ˈ|v|ɒ|l|-}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|f|ɔː|l|k|s|v|ɑː|ɡ|ən|,_|ˈ|v|ɔː|l|-|,_|ˈ|v|oʊ|k|-|,_|-|w|ɑː|ɡ|-|,_|-|w|æ|ɡ|-}}.</ref> is a German [[automotive industry|automobile manufacturer]] based in [[Wolfsburg]], [[Lower Saxony]], Germany. Established in 1937 by the [[German Labour Front]], it was revitalized into the global brand it is today after [[World War II]] by British Army officer [[Ivan Hirst]]. The company is well known for the [[Volkswagen Beetle|Beetle]] and serves as the flagship marque of the [[Volkswagen Group]], which became the world's largest automotive manufacturer by global sales in 2016 and 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/01/30/volkswagen-toyota-world-largest-automaker/97234320/|title=Volkswagen passes Toyota as world's largest automaker despite scandal|work=USA Today|last=Bomey|first=Nathan|date=30 January 2017|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511190411/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/01/30/volkswagen-toyota-world-largest-automaker/97234320/|archive-date=11 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 

The group's largest market is [[automotive industry in China|China]], which accounts for 40% of its sales and profits.<ref>{{cite news |title=China car sales slump ripples globally |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45803013 |work=BBC News |date=12 October 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119064729/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45803013 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Economic Superpower: Chinese Expansion Has Germany on the Defensive |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/chinese-economic-expansion-has-germany-worried-a-1209325-2.html |work=Spiegel Online |date=24 May 2018 |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529220404/http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/chinese-economic-expansion-has-germany-worried-a-1209325-2.html |archive-date=29 May 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The name {{lang|de|Volkswagen}} derives from the German words {{lang|de|[[Volk]]}} and {{lang|de|Wagen}}, meaning {{gloss|people's car}}.

==History==
[[File:Hitler with Beetle.webp|thumb|[[Ferdinand Porsche]] unveiling the "Volkswagen" concept to [[Adolf Hitler]] on 1 December 1934]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H06734, Grundsteinlegung für Werk des KdF-Wagens.jpg|thumb|6 May 1938: Adolf Hitler lays the foundation stone of the [[Wolfsburg Volkswagen Plant|Volkswagen factory]]. On far right: Ferdinand Porsche]]

===1932 to 1963: People's Car project===
Volkswagen was established in 1937 by the [[German Labour Front]] ({{langx|de|link=no|Deutsche Arbeitsfront}}) as part of the [[Strength Through Joy]] ({{langx|de|link=no|Kraft durch Freude}}) program in [[Berlin]].<ref name="chronicle">{{Cite book|title=Volkswagen Chronicle |editor1=Manfred Grieger |editor2=Ulrike Gutzmann |editor3=Dirk Schlinkert |publisher=Volkswagen AG |year=2008 |series=Historical Notes |volume=7 |isbn=978-3-935112-11-6 |url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2008/05/chronicle.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/HN7e_www2.pdf |access-date=21 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216072143/http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2008/05/chronicle.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/HN7e_www2.pdf |archive-date=16 December 2010 }}</ref> In the early 1930s, cars were a luxury—most Germans could afford nothing more elaborate than a motorcycle, and only one German out of 50 owned a car. Seeking a potential new market, some car makers began independent "people's car" projects&nbsp;– the [[Mercedes-Benz 130|Mercedes 170H]], [[BMW 3/15]], [[Adler 2.5-litre|Adler AutoBahn]], [[Steyr 50|Steyr 55]] and [[Hanomag]] 1.3L, among others.

The growing trend was not nascent; [[Béla Barényi]], a pioneering automotive engineer, is credited as already having conceived the basic design during the mid-1920s. [[Josef Ganz]] developed the Standard Superior (going as far as advertising it as the "German Volkswagen"). In Germany, the company [[Hanomag]] mass-produced the [[Hanomag 2/10 PS|2/10 PS]] "Kommissbrot", a small, cheap rear-engined car, from 1925 to 1928.<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Elan|url=https://www.jpost.com/jewish-world/jewish-features/was-hitlers-beetle-actually-designed-by-a-jew|title=Was Hitler's Beetle designed by a Jew?|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=13 September 2009|access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523125036/http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishFeatures/Article.aspx?id=154651|archive-date=23 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Also, in Czechoslovakia, the [[Hans Ledwinka]]-designed [[Tatra T77]], a very popular car amongst the German elite, was becoming smaller and more affordable at each revision. [[Ferdinand Porsche]], a well-known designer for high-end vehicles and race cars, had been trying for years to get a manufacturer interested in a small car suitable for a family. He built a car named the "Volksauto" from the ground up in 1933, using many popular ideas and several of his own, putting together a car with an air-cooled rear [[Internal combustion engine#Reciprocating engines|engine]], [[torsion bar suspension]], and a "beetle" shape, the front bonnet rounded for better [[aerodynamic]]s (necessary as it had a small engine).<ref name=SmallWonder>{{cite book|last=Nelson|first=Walter|title=Small Wonder|year=1967|publisher=[[Little, Brown & Company]]|page=333}}</ref>

[[File:VW logo during the 1930s.svg|thumb|right|upright=0.6|VW logo during the 1930s, initials surrounded by a stylised cogwheel and a spinning propeller that looked like a [[swastika]]<ref name=Spiegel/><ref name=Stehr/>]]
In 1934, with many of the above projects still in development or early stages of production, [[Adolf Hitler]] became involved, ordering the production of a basic vehicle capable of transporting two adults and three children at {{convert|100|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}. He wanted a car every German family would be able to afford.<ref name=SmallWonder /> The "People's Car" would be available through a savings plan at {{Reichsmark|990|link=yes}} (US$396 in 1938)—about the price of a small motorcycle (the average income being around {{Reichsmark|32}} a week).<ref name="RiseFall">{{cite book|last=Shirer|first=William|title=The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich|edition=Touchstone|location=New York|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|date=1990}}</ref><ref name="LastBeet">{{cite web|url=http://www.lasteditionbeetle.com/history.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306113930/http://www.lasteditionbeetle.com/history.php|title=Last Edition Beetle: History|archive-date=6 March 2008|website=Lasteditionbeetle.com|access-date=22 September 2015}}</ref>

It soon became apparent that private industry could not turn out a car for only {{Reichsmark|990}}. Thus, Hitler chose to sponsor an all-new, state-owned factory using Ferdinand Porsche's design (with some of Hitler's design suggestions, including an air-cooled engine so nothing could freeze). The intention was that German families could buy the car through a savings scheme (''{{lang|de|Fünf Mark die Woche musst du sparen, willst du im eigenen Wagen fahren}}''&nbsp;– "Five Marks a week you must set aside, if in your own car you wish to ride"), which around 336,000 people eventually paid into.<ref>{{cite journal|last=König|first=Wolfgang|title=Adolf Hitler vs. Henry Ford: The Volkswagen, the Role of America as a Model, and the Failure of a Nazi Consumer Society|journal=[[German Studies Review]]|volume=27|number=2|date=2004|pages=249–268|doi=10.2307/1433081 |jstor=1433081|issn=0149-7952}}.</ref> However, the project was not commercially viable, and only government support was able to keep it afloat.<ref>* {{Cite book|author-link=Adam Tooze|first=Adam|last=Tooze|title=The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy|url=https://archive.org/details/wagesdestruction00tooz|url-access=limited|location=London|publisher=Allen Lane|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7139-9566-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/wagesdestruction00tooz/page/n175 154]}}</ref><ref group="Note">Tooze notes: "Even if the war had not intervened, developments up to 1939 made clear that the entire conception of the 'people's car' was a disastrous flop." ''Tooze (2006) p.156''.</ref> Due to the outbreak of war in 1939, none of the participants in the savings scheme ever received a car. In 1950, a lawsuit was issued that, after 12 years of trial, ultimately provided a credit of 12% off the list price of a new VW base model or 5-times less the value paid into the saving scheme.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.krause-papierwerke.com/post/kdf-wagen-savings-booklet |title=KDF-Wagen Savings-Booklet with Savings Stamps (Sparkarte mit Sparmarke). VW Beetle predecessor |work=Krause Papierwerke |date=6 September 2018}}</ref> 

Prototypes of the car called the ''KdF-Wagen'' (from the German term ''Kraft durch Freude'', meaning "[[Strength Through Joy]]") appeared from 1938 onwards. The first cars had been produced in [[Stuttgart]]. The car already had its distinctive round shape and [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]], [[Flat-4|flat-four]], [[Rear-engine design|rear-mounted engine]]. The VW car was just one of many ''[[Strength Through Joy|KdF]]'' programs, which included things such as tours and outings. The prefix {{lang|de|Volks}} ("People's") was not just applied to cars, but also to other products in Germany—the ''[[Volksempfänger]]'' radio receiver for instance. On 28 May 1937, ''Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH'' ("Company for the Preparation of the German Volkswagen Ltd."), or ''Gezuvor''<ref name="porsche-75">{{cite web |url=https://press.pl.porsche.com/download/prod/presse_pag/PressBasicData.nsf/Download?OpenAgent&attachmentid=166917 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923153859/https://press.pl.porsche.com/download/prod/presse_pag/PressBasicData.nsf/Download?OpenAgent&attachmentid=166917 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |title=Seventy-Five Years Ago: Porsche Receives the Order to Construct the Volkswagen|date=16 June 2009|website=porsche.com|publisher=[[Porsche AG]] |access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref> for short, was established in Berlin by the ''[[Deutsche Arbeitsfront]],'' the national labour organization of the Nazi Party. More than a year later, on 16 September 1938, it was renamed to ''Volkswagenwerk [[GmbH]]''.<ref name="Odin, L.C. 2015">Odin, L.C. ''World in Motion 1939 – The whole of the year's automobile production''. Belvedere Publishing, 2015. ASIN: B00ZLN91ZG.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hillsideimports.com/vw-history/brief-history-volkswagen|title=A Brief History of Volkswagen|website=hillsideimports.com|access-date=10 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310221809/http://www.hillsideimports.com/vw-history/brief-history-volkswagen|archive-date=10 March 2015|url-status=live|date=6 January 2014}}</ref>

[[File:VW Typ 83 vr.jpg|thumb|VW Type 82E]]
[[Erwin Komenda]], the longstanding [[Auto Union]] chief designer, part of Ferdinand Porsche's hand-picked team,<ref name=SmallWonder /> developed the car body of the prototype, which was recognisably the [[Volkswagen Beetle|Beetle]] known today. It was one of the first cars designed with the aid of a [[wind tunnel]]—a method used for German aircraft design since the early 1920s. The car designs were put through rigorous tests and achieved a record-breaking million miles of testing before being deemed finished.

The construction of the new factory started in May 1938 in the new town of "Stadt des KdF-Wagens" (renamed [[Wolfsburg]] after the war), which had been purpose-built for the factory workers.<ref name="Odin, L.C. 2015"/> This factory had only produced a handful of cars by the time war started in 1939. None were actually delivered to any holder of the completed saving stamp books, though one Type 1 Cabriolet was presented to Hitler on 20 April 1944 (his 55th birthday).<ref name="Odin, L.C. 2015"/>

=== 1939–1943: Wartime production and Nazi concentration camp labour ===
{{anchor|Wartime}}
War changed production to military vehicles—the Type 82 ''[[Volkswagen Kübelwagen|Kübelwagen]]'' ("Bucket car") utility vehicle (VW's most common wartime model), and the [[amphibious vehicle|amphibious]] ''[[Volkswagen Schwimmwagen|Schwimmwagen]]''—manufactured for German forces. One of the first foreigners to drive a Volkswagen was the American war correspondent [[Ernie Pyle]], who had the use of a captured Volkswagen for a few days after the Allied victory in Tunisia in May 1943.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pyle |first=Ernie |title=Here Is Your War |location=Cleveland |publisher=World Publishing Company |edition=Forum Books |date=1945 |pages=275, 293}}</ref> <!-- There is an unreasonably large gap in the history here from April 1938 until April 1945. With the amount of detail given both before April 1938 and after April 1945, this omission should at least be noted, if not fully fleshed out. --> As was common with much of the production in [[Nazi Germany]] during the war, [[slave]] labour was utilised in the Volkswagen plant, e.g. from [[Arbeitsdorf]] concentration camp. The company would admit in 1998 that it used 15,000 slaves during the war effort. German historians estimated that 80% of Volkswagen's wartime workforce was slave labour.<ref>{{cite book |title=Management Systems and Performance Frameworks for Sustainability: A Road Map for Sustainably Managed Enterprises |last1=James |first1=Lowellyne |edition=illustrated |publisher=Routledge |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-317-23450-0 |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nUhaDwAAQBAJ}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=nUhaDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT17 Extract of page 17]</ref> Many of the slaves were reported to have been supplied from the [[Nazi concentration camps|concentration camps]] upon request from plant managers. A lawsuit was filed in 1998 by survivors for restitution for the forced labour.<ref>{{cite news|title=Volkswagen Faces Suit Over Jewish Slave Labor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/13/world/world-news-briefs-volkswagen-faces-suit-over-jewish-slave-labor.html |access-date=18 May 2011 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 June 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103234241/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/13/world/world-news-briefs-volkswagen-faces-suit-over-jewish-slave-labor.html |archive-date=3 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Volkswagen would set up a voluntary restitution fund.<ref>{{cite news |title=World: Americas German firms face slave labor case |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/162126.stm |access-date=18 May 2011 |work=BBC News |date=1 September 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529224344/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/162126.stm |archive-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1945–1948: British military intervention===
[[File:VW Wolfsburg.JPG|thumb|Volkswagen industrial plant in Wolfsburg, pictured in 2006]]
In April 1945, KdF-Stadt and its heavily bombed factory were captured by the [[United States Armed Forces|United States armed forces]] and subsequently handed over to the British, within whose [[British Occupation zone in Germany|occupation zone]] the town and factory fell. The factory was placed under the control of [[British Army]] officer Major [[Ivan Hirst]], [[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers|REME]], a civilian Military Governor with the occupying forces. At first, one plan was to use it for [[List of military vehicles|military vehicle]] maintenance, and possibly dismantle and ship it to Britain. Since it had been used for military production (though not of KdF-Wagens) and had been, in Hirst's words, a "political animal" rather than a commercial enterprise, technically making it liable for destruction under the terms of the [[Potsdam Agreement]], the equipment could have been salvaged as [[war reparations]]. Allied dismantling policy changed in late 1946 to mid-1947, though heavy industry continued to be dismantled until 1951.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1945 to 1949 – The Work of the British |url=https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/volkswagen-chronicle-17351/1945-to-1949-the-work-of-the-british-17355 |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Volkswagen Group |language=en}}</ref>

One of the factory's wartime KdF-Wagen cars had been taken to the factory for repairs and abandoned there. Hirst had it repainted green and demonstrated it to British Army headquarters. Short of light transport, in September 1945 the British Army was persuaded to place a vital order for 20,000 cars. However, production facilities had been massively disrupted, there was a refugee crisis at and around the factory, and some parts (such as [[carburetor|carburettors]]) were unavailable. Hirst and his German assistant [[Heinrich Nordhoff]] (who went on to run the Wolfsburg facility after the military government ended in 1949) helped to stabilise the acute social situation while simultaneously re-establishing production. Hirst, for example, used his engineering experience to arrange the manufacture of carburettors, the original producers being effectively 'lost' in the [[East Germany|Soviet zone]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Porter|first1=Lindsay|title=Mr|journal=Thoroughbred & Classic Cars|date=October 1986}}</ref> The first few hundred cars went to personnel from the occupying forces, and to the [[Deutsche Bundespost|postal service]]. Some British service personnel were allowed to take their [[Volkswagen Beetle|Beetles]] back to the United Kingdom when they were [[Demobilization|demobilised]].<ref name=uk-import-first>{{cite web |url=http://www.hillsideimports.com/vw-history/the-first-demonstrator-of-the-volkswagen-beetle |title=Volkswagen Model 11 Beetle |website=hillsideimports.com |date=20 February 2014 |access-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404000212/http://www.hillsideimports.com/vw-history/the-first-demonstrator-of-the-volkswagen-beetle |archive-date=4 April 2015 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2017}}

The post-war [[industrial plans for Germany]] set out rules that governed which industries Germany was allowed to retain. These rules set German car production at a maximum of 10% of 1936 car production.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/marshall/large/documents/index.php?pagenumber=10&documentid=22&documentdate=1947-03-24&studycollectionid=mp&nav=OK |title=Harry S. Truman – Library & Museum&nbsp;– Draft, The President's Economic Mission to Germany and Austria, Report 3, March, 1947; OF 950B: Economic Mission as to Food...; Truman Papers |publisher=Trumanlibrary.org |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211032355/http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/marshall/large/documents/index.php?pagenumber=10&documentid=22&documentdate=1947-03-24&studycollectionid=mp&nav=OK |archive-date=11 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1946, the factory produced 1,000 cars a month even though it was still in disrepair. Owing to roof and window damage, production had to stop when it rained, and the company had to barter new vehicles for steel for production.<ref>{{Cite web|title=70 years since the return of the Volkswagen plant|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/stories/2019/10/volkswagen-and-its-british-roots.html|access-date=10 August 2020|website=www.volkswagenag.com|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808143621/https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/stories/2019/10/volkswagen-and-its-british-roots.html}}</ref>

The car and its town changed their Second World War-era names to "Volkswagen" and "[[Wolfsburg]]" respectively, and production increased. It was still unclear what was to become of the factory. It was offered to representatives from the American, Australian, British, and French motor industries who all rejected it. After an inspection of the plant, [[William Edward Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes|Sir William Rootes]], head of the British [[Rootes Group]], told Hirst the project would fail within two years, and that the car "...is quite unattractive to the average motorcar buyer, is too ugly and too noisy. If you think you're going to build cars in this place, you're a bloody fool, young man."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patton |first1=Phil |title=Ivan Hirst, British Officer Who Revived VW, Is Dead at 84 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/22/business/ivan-hirst-british-officer-who-revived-vw-is-dead-at-84.html |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=The New York Times|date=22 March 2000 }}</ref> The official report said: "To build the car commercially would be a completely uneconomic enterprise."<ref>{{cite news |last=Clausager |first=Anders Ditlev |title=Obituaries – Ivan Hirst |date=18 March 2000 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/mar/18/guardianobituaries |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204072755/http://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/mar/18/guardianobituaries |archive-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Nibbler-volkswagenwerkwolfsburg.jpg|thumb|Volkswagen [[cogeneration]] plant]]
Ford representatives were equally critical. In March 1948, the British offered the Volkswagen company to Ford, free of charge. [[Henry Ford II]], the son of [[Edsel Ford]], travelled to [[West Germany]] for discussions. Heinz Nordhoff was also present, as well as Ernest Breech, chairman of the board for Ford. Henry Ford II looked to Breech for his opinion, and Breech said, "Mr. Ford, I don't think what we're being offered here is worth a damn!"<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nelson |first1=Walter Henry |title=Small Wonder: The Amazing Story of the Volkswagen |date=1970 |publisher=Little, Brown |page=18 |access-date=10 November 2020|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XrMeAQAAMAAJ&q=%22worth+a+damn%22}}</ref> Ford passed on the offer, leaving Volkswagen to rebuild itself under Nordhoff's leadership.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ford Could Have Paid Nothing To Own VW After World War II|url=https://www.motor1.com/features/272618/ford-volkswagen-merger-history/|access-date=10 March 2023|website=www.motor1.com}}</ref>

===1948–1961: Icon of post-war West Germany===
[[File:1949 VW Beetle.jpg|right|thumb|1949 Volkswagen "split rear window" [[Sedan (car)|Sedan]]]]
[[File:Volkswagen Typ 1 Cabriolet 1953.jpg|thumb|right|Volkswagen Cabriolet (1953)]]
[[File:2010-05-04-VW-T1-1.JPG|right|thumb|[[Volkswagen Type 2]] (T1)]]
[[File:Glj01.jpg|thumb|right|An original 1300 Deluxe, circa 1966]]
[[File:Volkswagen Beetle successor proposal (1967) which never got past the prototype stage.JPG|thumb|right|In the later 1960s, as worldwide demand for the Beetle began to diminish, a variety of successor designs were proposed and in most cases rejected by management.]]

From 1948, Volkswagen became an important element, symbolically and economically, of [[Wirtschaftswunder|West German regeneration]].{{according to whom|date=July 2017}} [[Heinrich Nordhoff]] (1899–1968), a former senior manager at [[Opel]] who had overseen civilian and military vehicle production in the 1930s and 1940s, was recruited to run the factory in 1948. In 1949, Major Hirst left the company—now re-formed as a trust controlled by the West German government and government of the State of [[Lower Saxony]]. The "Beetle" sedan or "peoples' car" Volkswagen is the Type 1. Apart from the introduction of the [[Volkswagen Type 2]] [[commercial vehicle]] (van, pick-up, and camper), and the [[Volkswagen Karmann Ghia|VW Karmann Ghia]] sports car, Nordhoff pursued the one-model policy until shortly before his death in 1968.

Volkswagens were first exhibited and sold in the United States in 1949 but sold only two units in America that first year. On entry to the US market, the VW was briefly sold as a ''Victory Wagon''. [[Volkswagen Group of America|Volkswagen of America]] was formed in April 1955 to standardise sales and service in the United States. Production of the Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle increased dramatically over the years, the total reaching one million in 1955.

The UK's first official Volkswagen importer, Colborne Garages of [[Ripley, Surrey]], started business with importing parts for the models brought home by soldiers returning from Germany.<ref name=uk-import-first/>

Canadian Motors, Limited brought in Canada's first shipment of Volkswagens on 10 July 1952 (shipping order 143075).{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} The order consisted of 12 vehicles, (3) model 11C, a black, green, and sand colour (3) 11GS, a chestnut brown and two azure blue, (2) 24A-M51 in red, (1) 21A in blue, (1) 23A in blue, (1) 22A beige colour, and one ambulance.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} Volkswagens were seen in Canada for the first time at the Canadian National Exhibition in August 1952 and were accepted enthusiastically. (At least one Type 2 bus from this order still exists, and is currently in France undergoing restoration).{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} The first shipment for Volkswagen Canada reached Toronto in early December 1952. (At least one Type 1 from this first shipment still exists, and was driven on a nationwide tour for Volkswagen Canada's 60th year of business festivities in 2012).{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

By 1955, sales warranted the building of the Volkswagen plant on a {{convert|32|acre|ha|adj=on}} site on [[Scarborough, Toronto|Scarborough's]] [[Golden Mile, Toronto|Golden Mile]]. To this, a {{convert|60000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} building with administration, showrooms, service, repairs and parts was built in 1957, with storage for $4,000,000 of parts.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

In 1959, VW started production at a plant near São Paulo in Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ardmediathek.de/tv/Reportage-Dokumentation/Komplizen-VW-und-die-brasilianische-M/Das-Erste/Video?bcastId=799280&documentId=44669802|title=Komplizen? – VW und die brasilianische Militärdiktatur|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726152904/http://www.ardmediathek.de/tv/Reportage-Dokumentation/Komplizen-VW-und-die-brasilianische-M/Das-Erste/Video?bcastId=799280&documentId=44669802|archive-date=26 July 2017|website=DasErste|publisher=ARD|date=24 July 2017}}</ref> Volkswagen do Brasil was accused of spying on workers during the time of the military dictatorship in the 1970s and informing police on oppositional activities. In 1976, mass arrests occurred and some VW employees were tortured. In 1979, Brazilian VW workers travelled to Wolfsburg to inform the CEO in person. In 2015, activists and former VW employees in Brazil spoke out in public accused the company's silence about the persecution of its workers. In fall 2016, VW commissioned an expert review of the situation due end of 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.com/en/vw-worked-hand-in-hand-with-brazils-military-dictatorship/a-39814070|title=VW worked hand in hand with Brazil's military dictatorship|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724135938/http://www.dw.com/en/vw-worked-hand-in-hand-with-brazils-military-dictatorship/a-39814070 |archive-date=24 July 2017|date=24 July 2017|work=Deutsche Welle}}</ref>

On 22 August 1960, ''Volkswagenwerk GmbH'' was renamed to ''Volkswagenwerk AG''. Sales soared throughout the 1960s, peaking at the end of the decade thanks in part to the famous advertising campaigns by New York advertising agency [[DDB Worldwide|Doyle, Dane Bernbach]].{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Led by art director [[Helmut Krone]], and copywriters [[Julian Koenig]] and Bob Levinson, Volkswagen advertisements became{{when|date=July 2017}} as popular as the car, using crisp layouts and witty copy to lure the younger, sophisticated consumers with whom the car became associated.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Even though it was almost universally known as the Beetle (or the Bug), it was never officially labelled as such by the manufacturer, instead referred to as the Type 1.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Patton|first=Phil|title=Bug: the strange mutations of the world's most famous automobile|date=2002|publisher=Simon & Schuster|isbn=0-7432-0242-2|location=New York|page=137|oclc=49959289}}</ref>

Although the car was becoming outdated, during the 1960s and early 1970s, American exports, innovative advertising, and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures surpass the levels of the previous record-holder, the [[Ford Model T]]. On 17 February 1972, the 15,007,034th Beetle was sold. Volkswagen could now claim the world production record for the most-produced, single make of car in history. By 1973, total production was over 16 million.

To commemorate its passing the Ford Model T's record sales mark and its victories in the Baja 1000 Mexican races from 1967 to 1971, Volkswagen produced its first limited-edition Beetle. It was marketed as the "Baja Champion SE"<ref>All Volkswagen Cars List [https://qesot.com/cars/en/brand/80/ All Volkswagen Cars Models] Qesot.com</ref> in the United States and the "Marathon" Superbeetle in the rest of the world. It featured unique "Marathon Blau" metallic blue paint, steel-pressed 10-spoke {{convert|15|in|cm|0|adj=on}} magnesium-alloy wheels, a commemorative metal plate mounted on the glovebox and a certificate of authenticity presented to the original purchaser. Dealer-installed options for this limited-edition Superbeetle included the following: white stripes running the length of the rocker-panel, a special shifter knob, bumper overriders, tapered exhaust tips, fake walnut inserts in the dashboard (behind the steering wheel and the glovebox cover) as well as [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] fog lights mounted on the front bumper.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

===1961–1973: Beetle to Golf===
[[File:Volkswagen Type 3.jpg|thumb|left|A 1963 [[Volkswagen Type 3|VW Type 3 Notchback]] ]]

The 1961 Type 1 Beetle had a 36&nbsp;hp 1200cc four cylinder air-cooled flat-four opposed OHV engine made of aluminium alloy block and heads. By 1966, the Type 1 came with a 1300cc engine. By 1967 the Type 1 had a 1500cc engine, and 1600cc in 1970. The air-cooled engine lost favour in the United States market with the advent of unleaded petrol and smog controls. These air-cooled engines were commonly tuned to be fuel-rich in order to control engine over-heating, and this led to excessive carbon monoxide emissions. VW production equipment was eventually moved to Mexico where vehicle emissions were not regulated. Beetles were popular on the US West Coast where the limited-capacity cabin heating was less inconvenient. Beetles were popularised on the US West Coast as beach buggies and dune buggies.

VW expanded its product line in 1961 with the introduction of four [[Volkswagen Type 3|Type 3]] models (Karmann Ghia, Notchback, Fastback, and Variant) based on the new Type 3 mechanical underpinnings. The name 'Squareback' was used in the United States for the Variant.

In 1969 the larger [[Volkswagen Type 4|Type 4]] (411 and 412) models were introduced. These differed substantially from previous vehicles, with the notable introduction of [[monocoque]]/unibody construction, the option of a fully [[automatic transmission]], electronic [[fuel injection]], and a sturdier powerplant.

In 1964, Volkswagen acquired [[Auto Union]], and in 1969, [[NSU Motorenwerke AG]] (NSU). The former company owned the historic [[Audi]] brand, which had disappeared after the Second World War. VW ultimately merged Auto Union and NSU to create the modern Audi company, and would go on to develop it as its [[luxury vehicle]] [[marque]]. The purchase of Auto Union and NSU was a pivotal point in Volkswagen's history, as both companies yielded the technological expertise that proved necessary for VW to survive when demand for its air-cooled models went into decline.

[[File:1969 Volkswagen 1600 Type 3 Squareback (17081445566).jpg|thumb|right|1970 VW Squareback (Type III)]]
Volkswagen added a "Super Beetle"<ref>{{cite web |last=Dean |first=Wayne |date=28 October 2006 |url=http://www.superbeetles.com/history.htm |title=History of the Super Beetle |publisher=superbeetles.com |access-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506213643/http://www.superbeetles.com/history.htm |archive-date=6 May 2015 }}</ref> (the Type 131) to its lineup in 1971. The Type 131 differed from the standard Beetle in its use of a [[MacPherson strut]] front [[suspension (vehicle)|suspension]] instead of the usual [[torsion beam suspension|torsion bars]]. The Super Beetle featured a new hooded, padded dash and curved windshield (from 1973 model year on up). Rack and pinion steering replaced recirculating ball steering gears in the model year 1975 and up. The front of the car was stretched {{convert|2|in|mm}} to allow the spare tire to lie flat, and the combination of these two features increased the usable front luggage space.

In 1973, Volkswagen introduced the military-themed [[Volkswagen 181|Type 181]], or "Trekker" in Europe, "Thing" in America, recalling the wartime Type 82. The military version was produced for the [[NATO]]-era [[German Army]] during the [[Cold War]] years of 1970 to 1979. The US Thing version only sold for two years, 1973 and 1974.

[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F038791-0007, Wolfsburg, VW Autowerk.jpg|thumb|left|[[Volkswagen Type 4]] [[assembly line]] in [[Wolfsburg]] as of 1973]]

By late 1972, Volkswagen had decided to cancel the nearly finished [[:File:Volkswagen EA266 prototype Beetle replacement.JPG|typ 266]], a project for a mid-engined car to replace the Beetle, and to focus on front-wheel-drive, water-cooled cars. [[Rudolf Leiding]], recently made head of Volkswagen, cited noise, heat, and servicing problems with the mid-engine layout, as well as the difficulty of making it a station wagon.<ref name=zaCAR1172>{{cite magazine | magazine = CAR | title = Volkswagenwerk plans new cars and engines | last = Wilkins | first = Gordon | volume = 16 | number = 11 | date = December 1972 | ref = DNLCV | page = 11 | publisher = Ramsay, Son & Parker (Pty) Ltd. | location = Cape Town, South Africa }}</ref>

[[File:Vw passat b1 v sst.jpg|thumb|right|[[Volkswagen Passat]] (1973–1977 model)]]

Volkswagen was in serious trouble by 1973.<ref>William Beaver (Nov–Dec 1992). [https://archive.today/20120709024025/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1038/is_n6_v35/ai_13246858 Volkswagen's American assembly plant: Fahrvergnugen was not enough – international marketing] Find Articles; Business Horizons.</ref> The Type 3 and Type 4 models had sold in much smaller numbers than the Beetle and the [[NSU Motorenwerke AG|NSU]]-based K70 also failed to sell. Beetle sales had started to decline rapidly in European and North American markets. The company knew that Beetle production had to end, but faced a conundrum of how to replace it. VW's ownership of Audi/[[Auto Union]] proved beneficial. Its expertise in [[front-wheel drive]], and [[water cooling|water-cooled]] engines would help Volkswagen produce a credible Beetle successor. Audi influences paved the way for this new generation of Volkswagens: the Passat, Scirocco, [[Volkswagen Golf|Golf]], and Polo.

First in the series was the [[Volkswagen Passat]] (Dasher in the US), introduced in 1973, a [[fastback]] version of the [[Audi 80]], using many identical body and mechanical parts. Estate/wagon versions were available in many markets. In Europe, the estate/wagon version dominated market share for many years.

In spring 1974, the [[Volkswagen Scirocco|Scirocco]] followed. The coupe was designed by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]. Based on the platform of the not yet released [[Volkswagen Golf|Golf]], it was built at [[Karmann]] due to capacity constraints at Volkswagen.

The pivotal model emerged as the [[Volkswagen Golf]] in 1974, marketed in the United States and Canada as the Rabbit for the 1st generation (1975–1985) and 5th generation (2006–2009). Its angular styling was designed by the Italian [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]]. Its design followed trends for small family cars set by the 1959 [[Mini]]&nbsp;– the Golf had a [[transverse engine|transversely mounted]], water-cooled engine in the front, driving the front wheels, and had a [[hatchback]], a format that has dominated the market segment ever since. Beetle production at Wolfsburg ended upon the Golf's introduction. It continued in smaller numbers at other German factories ([[Hanover]] and [[Emden]]) until 1978, but mainstream production shifted to Brazil and Mexico.

In 1975, the [[Volkswagen Polo]] followed. It was a re-badged [[Audi 50]], which was soon discontinued in 1978. The Polo became the base of the [[Volkswagen Derby]], which was introduced in 1977. The Derby was for all intents and purposes a [[Three-box styling|three-box design]] of the Polo. After a second model generation, the Derby was discontinued in 1985, although the body style lived on in the form of the Polo classic/Polo saloon until 1991.

Passat, Scirocco, Golf, and Polo shared many character-defining features, as well as parts and engines. They built the basis for Volkswagen's turn-around.

===1974–1990: Product line expansion===
[[File:VW Polo I front 20090810.jpg|thumb|[[Volkswagen Polo Mk1|Volkswagen Polo]] (1975–1979 model)]]

While Volkswagen's range of cars soon became similar to that of other large European car makers, the Golf has been the mainstay of the Volkswagen line-up since its introduction, and the mechanical basis for several other cars of the company. There have been eight generations of the [[Volkswagen Golf]], the first of which was produced from the summer of 1974 until the autumn of 1983 (sold as the Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Caribe in Latin America). Its chassis also spawned the [[Volkswagen Scirocco]] sport [[coupe]], [[Volkswagen Jetta]] saloon/sedan, Volkswagen Golf [[Cabriolet (automobile)|Cabriolet]] convertible, and [[Volkswagen Caddy]] pick-up. North American production of the Rabbit commenced at the [[Volkswagen Westmoreland Assembly Plant]] near [[New Stanton, Pennsylvania]] in 1978. It would be produced in the United States as the Rabbit until the spring of 1984.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} The second-generation Golf hatchback/Jetta sedan ran from October 1983 until the autumn of 1991, and a North American version produced at Westmoreland Assembly went on sale at the start of the 1985 model year. The production numbers of the first-generation Golf has continued to grow annually in South Africa as the [[Volkswagen Citi Golf|Citi Golf]], with only minor modifications to the interior, engine and chassis, using tooling relocated from the [[New Stanton, Pennsylvania]] plant when that site began to build the Second Generation car.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

In the 1980s, Volkswagen's sales in the United States and Canada fell dramatically, despite the success of models like the Golf elsewhere. Sales in the United States were 293,595 in 1980, but by 1984 they were down to 177,709.<ref>Flammang, James, ''Volkswagen: Beetles, Buses and Beyond,'' Krause Publications, 1996</ref> The introduction of the second-generation Golf, GTI and Jetta models helped Volkswagen briefly in North America. [[Motor Trend]] named the GTI its Car of the Year for 1985, and Volkswagen rose in the J.D. Power buyer satisfaction ratings to eighth place in 1985, up from 22nd a year earlier.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kiley|first=David|title=Getting the Bugs Out: The Rise, Fall and Comeback of Volkswagen in America|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|date=2001}}</ref> VW's American sales broke 200,000 in 1985 and 1986 before resuming the downward trend from earlier in the decade. Chairman [[Carl Hahn]] decided to expand the company elsewhere (mostly in developing countries), and the New Stanton, Pennsylvania factory closed on 14 July 1988.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE7D6113DF932A15752C1A961948260 | title=Volkswagen to Shut U.S. Plant | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | first=John | last=Holusha | date=21 November 1987 | access-date=17 May 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206165847/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE7D6113DF932A15752C1A961948260 | archive-date=6 December 2008 | url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, four years after signing a cooperation agreement with the Spanish car maker SEAT in 1982, Hahn expanded the company by purchasing a majority share of SEAT up to 75% by the end of 1986, which VW bought outright in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.seat.com/en/company/368-seat-hoy.html |title=A look at SEAT's time line 2008-1950 |website=seat.com |publisher=SEAT S.A. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718053942/http://media.seat.com/en/company/368-seat-hoy.html |archive-date=18 July 2009 }}</ref> On 4 July 1985, ''Volkswagenwerk AG'' was renamed to ''Volkswagen AG''.

Volkswagen entered the supermini market in 1975 with the [[Volkswagen Polo]], a stylish and spacious three-door hatchback designed by [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]]. It was a strong seller in West Germany and most of the rest of Western Europe, being one of the first foreign small cars to prove popular in Britain. It had started out in 1974 as the [[Audi 50]], which was only available in certain markets and was less popular. The Polo entered a market sector already being dominated by the [[Fiat 127]] and [[Renault 5]], and which before long would also include the [[Austin Metro]] and [[Ford Fiesta]].{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

In 1981, the second-generation Polo launched as a hatchback (resembling a small estate car). In 1983 the range was expanded, with the introduction of a Coupe (similar to a conventional hatchback), and the Classic (a 2-door saloon).<ref>{{cite web |title=Series 2 Polo: 1981–1994 |url=http://www.polodriver.com/heritage/series-2-polo-1981-1994/ |website=polodriver.com/ |date=6 September 2009 |publisher=Polo Driver}}</ref> The Polo's practicality, despite the lack of a five-door version, helped ensure even stronger sales than its predecessor. It continued to sell well after a makeover in 1990, finally being replaced by an all-new version in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=Series 3 Polo: 1994–2001 |url=http://www.polodriver.com/heritage/series-3-polo-1994-2001/ |website=www.polodriver.com |date=15 September 2009 |publisher=Polo Driver}}</ref> Also arriving in 1981 were the second generation of the larger Passat and a second generation of the [[Volkswagen Scirocco]] coupe.

In 1983 the MK2 Golf was launched. At the beginning of 1988, the third generation Passat was the next major car launch and Volkswagen did not produce a hatchback version of this Passat, despite the rising popularity of the hatchback body style throughout Europe.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} Just after launching the B3 Passat, Volkswagen launched the [[Volkswagen Corrado|Corrado]], analogous to the [[Volkswagen Scirocco|Scirocco]], although the Scirocco remained in production until 1992; a third generation of Scirocco was in production 2008–17.<ref>Rob Stumpf, "The Volkswagen Scirocco is Dead (Again)", ''The Drive'' (12 October 2017): online at https://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/15084/the-volkswagen-scirocco-is-dead-again</ref>

===1991–1999===
[[File:Volkswagen Golf IV 3-door.jpg|thumb|right|Volkswagen Golf, in North American form]]

In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf, which was [[European Car of the Year]] for 1992. The [[Volkswagen Golf Mk3|Golf Mk3]] and [[Volkswagen Vento (A3)|Jetta Mk3]] arrived in North America in 1993. The sedan version of the Golf was badged Vento in Europe but remained Jetta in the United States. The [[Volkswagen Scirocco|Scirocco]] and the later [[Volkswagen Corrado|Corrado]] were both Golf-based [[coupé]]s.

[[File:2002 Volkswagen New Beetle (9C MY02.5) 2.0 coupe (2010-10-01) 01.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Volkswagen New Beetle]]]]

In 1994, Volkswagen unveiled the [[J Mays]]-designed [[Volkswagen New Beetle#History|Concept One]], a "retro"-themed [[concept car]] with a resemblance to the original Beetle, based on the platform of the Polo. Due to a positive response to the concept, a production version was developed as the [[Volkswagen New Beetle|New Beetle]], based on the Golf's larger platform.<ref name="ltvvwc-2003">{{cite web|title=The VW Experimental Vehicles – the 1980s to present pt 2|url=http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/WS_feb_2003/WnW-prototypes04.htm|work=Wheelspin|publisher=London & Thames Valley VW Club|access-date=12 July 2010|date=February 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614094520/http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/WS_feb_2003/WnW-prototypes04.htm|archive-date=14 June 2011}}</ref>

In 1995 the [[Volkswagen Sharan|Sharan]] was launched in Europe, the result of a joint venture with [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], which also resulted in the [[Ford Galaxy]] and [[SEAT Alhambra]].<ref>{{cite web|title=VW Sharan|url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/VW-Sharan-2011-CAR-review/|website=Car Magazine|access-date=4 January 2015|date=2 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104171105/http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/VW-Sharan-2011-CAR-review/|archive-date=4 January 2015}}</ref>

The company's evolution of its model range was continued with the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk4|Golf Mk4]], introduced at the end of 1997 (North America in 1999), its chassis spawned a host of other cars within the Volkswagen Group; the [[Volkswagen Bora]] (the sedan known as the Jetta in the United States), SEAT Toledo, SEAT León, [[Audi A3]], [[Audi TT]], and [[Škoda Octavia]]. Other main models during the decade include the [[Volkswagen Polo|Polo]], a smaller car than the Golf, and the larger [[Volkswagen Passat|Passat]] for the segment above the Golf.

In 1998 the company launched the new [[Volkswagen Lupo|Lupo]] city car. In 1999 they announced the first "3-litre" car, a lightweight version of the Lupo that could travel 100&nbsp;km with only 3-liters of diesel—making it the world's most fuel efficient car at the time.<ref>{{cite web|title=VW launches its economic miracle|url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/vw-launches-its-economic-miracle/285981.article|website=The Engineer|access-date=4 January 2015|date=5 January 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104162606/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/vw-launches-its-economic-miracle/285981.article|archive-date=4 January 2015}}</ref>

===2000–2016: Further expansion===
[[File:2011 Volkswagen Jetta (1KM MY10) 118TSI sedan (2015-07-03) 01.jpg|thumb|left|The fifth generation [[Volkswagen Jetta (A5)|Volkswagen Jetta]]]]

Volkswagen began introducing an array of new models after [[Bernd Pischetsrieder]] became [[Volkswagen Group]] CEO (responsible for all Group brands) in 2002. The sixth-generation [[Volkswagen Golf Mk6|VW Golf]] was launched in 2008, came runner-up to the [[Opel Insignia|Opel/Vauxhall Insignia]] in the 2009 [[European Car of the Year]], and has spawned several cousins: [[Volkswagen Jetta (A6)|VW Jetta]], [[VW Scirocco]], [[SEAT León]], [[SEAT Toledo]], [[Škoda Octavia]] and Audi A3 hatchback ranges, as well as a new mini-[[Multi-purpose vehicle|MPV]], the [[SEAT Altea]]. The GTI, a "[[hot hatch]]" performance version of the Golf, boasts a 2.0&nbsp;L [[Turbocharger|Turbocharged]] Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) [[petrol direct injection|direct injection]] engine. VW began marketing the Golf under the Rabbit name once again in the US and Canada in 2006.

The sixth-generation Passat and the fifth-generation Jetta both debuted in 2005, and Volkswagen announced plans to expand its lineup further by bringing back the [[Volkswagen Scirocco|Scirocco]] by 2008. Other models in [[Wolfgang Bernhard]]'s (Volkswagen brand CEO) "product offensive" include the [[Volkswagen Tiguan|Tiguan]] mid-sized SUV in 2008 and a [[Volkswagen Passat Coupé|Passat Coupé]]. In November 2006 Bernd Pischetsrieder announced his resignation as Volkswagen Group CEO and was replaced by Audi worldwide CEO [[Martin Winterkorn]] at the beginning of 2007.

[[File:VW Scirocco III 1.4 TSI DSG Team Deep Black.JPG|thumb|right|The third generation [[Volkswagen Scirocco]]]]

Volkswagen maintained North American sales of 224,195 in 2005. The momentum continued for fiscal 2006, as Volkswagen's North American sales for the year were 235,140 vehicles, a 4.9 per cent increase over 2005, despite a slump in domestic North American manufacturer's sales. In conjunction with the introduction of new models, the production location of Volkswagen vehicles also underwent a great change. The 2007 [[Volkswagen Eos|Eos]], a hardtop convertible, is produced in a new facility in Portugal. All Golfs/Rabbits and GTIs as of 2006 are manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, rather than Puebla, Mexico, where Golfs and GTIs for the North American market were produced from 1989 to 1998, and the Brazilian factory in [[Curitiba]], where Golfs and GTIs were produced from 1999 to 2006 (the [[Volkswagen Jetta|Jetta]] has been primarily manufactured in Mexico since 1989). Volkswagen is also in the process of reconfiguring an automotive assembly plant in Belgium. The new models and investments in manufacturing improvements were immediately noticed by automotive critics. Favourable reviews for Volkswagen's newest cars include the GTI being named by ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' as the top sporty car under $25,000, one of ''[[Car and Driver]]'' magazine's "[[Car and Driver Ten Best|10 Best]]" for 2007, [[Automobile Magazine|''Automobile'' Magazine's]] 2007 Car of the Year, as well as a 2008 ''[[Motor Trend]]'' comparison ranking the mid-size Passat first in its class.

[[File:2013 Volkswagen Golf SE BlueMotion Technology 1.4 Front.jpg|thumb|left|The seventh-generation [[Volkswagen Golf]]]]

Volkswagen partnered with [[Daimler AG]] and other companies to market the [[BlueTec]] [[clean diesel]] technology on cars and trucks from Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and other companies and brands. According to the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]], four of the ten most fuel-efficient vehicles available for sale in the United States are powered by Volkswagen diesel engines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&year1=2012&year2=2013&vfuel=Diesel&mclass=Small+Cars,%20Family+Sedans,%20Large+Sedans,%20Upscale+Sedans,%20Luxury+Sedans,%20Hatchbacks,%20Coupes,%20Convertibles,%20Sports/Sporty+Cars,%20Station+Wagons&srchtyp=newDslCars |title=Fuel Economy of New Diesel Cars |year=2012 |website=Fueleconomy.gov |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |access-date=5 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117191226/http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&year1=2012&year2=2013&vfuel=Diesel&mclass=Small+Cars%2C%20Family+Sedans%2C%20Large+Sedans%2C%20Upscale+Sedans%2C%20Luxury+Sedans%2C%20Hatchbacks%2C%20Coupes%2C%20Convertibles%2C%20Sports%2FSporty+Cars%2C%20Station+Wagons&srchtyp=newDslCars |archive-date=17 January 2013 }}</ref> Volkswagen has offered a number of its vehicles with a TDI ([[Turbocharged Direct Injection]]) engine, which lends class-leading fuel economy to several models. They were a three-way tie for 8th (TDI Beetle, TDI Golf, TDI Jetta) and ninth, the TDI Jetta Wagon. In addition, all Volkswagen TDI diesel engines produced from 1996 to 2006 can be driven on 100% [[biodiesel]] fuel.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} For the 2007 model year, however, strict US government emissions regulations had forced Volkswagen to drop most diesels from their US engine lineup, but a new lineup of diesel engines ([[Volkswagen emissions scandal|then thought]]) compatible to US standards returned to the American market starting with Model Year 2009. These post-2009 Clean Diesel engines are limited to running on 5% (B5) biodiesel only to maintain Volkswagen's warranty. Volkswagen long resisted adding a [[sport utility vehicle|SUV]] to its lineup, but relented with the introduction of the [[Volkswagen Touareg|Touareg]], made in partnership with Porsche, while they worked on the [[Porsche Cayenne]] and later the [[Audi Q7]]. Though acclaimed as a fine handling vehicle, the Touareg has been a modest seller at best, and it has been criticised by auto reviewers for its absence of a third-row seat, the relatively poor fuel economy, and the high vehicle mass. Volkswagen set plans to add a compact SUV with styling influences from the "Concept A" concept vehicle introduced at the 2006 [[Geneva Auto Show]], and on 20 July 2006, Volkswagen announced that the new vehicle would be called the [[Volkswagen Tiguan|Tiguan]].

Since the discontinuation of the T4 in 2003 and the decision not to export the T5 to the United States, Volkswagen, coincidentally, lacked a van for its North American lineup. To remedy this, Volkswagen launched the [[Volkswagen Routan]], a [[badge engineering|badge-engineered]] [[Dodge Caravan|Dodge Grand Caravan]] made for the American and Canadian markets, in 2008.

In September 2006, Volkswagen began offering the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk4#Mk4 "City Golf (Golf City in 2009)" in Canada, South America & Bora HS in China|City Golf]] and City Jetta only for the Canadian market. Both models were originally the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk4|Mk4 Golf]] and Jetta but were later replaced with the Brazilian versions of the Golf Mk4 and [[Volkswagen Bora|Bora]]. Volkswagen's introduction of such models is seen as a test of the market for a subcompact and, if successful, may be the beginnings of a thriving subcompact market for Volkswagen.

[[File:2006-2010 Volkswagen Passat (3C) sedan (2011-07-17) 01.jpg|thumb|The [[Volkswagen Passat]] (3C)]]

In May 2011, Volkswagen completed [[Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant|Chattanooga Assembly]] in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]], [[Tennessee]]. The Chattanooga Assembly plant marked VW's first plant since the plant at New Stanton was closed down. The facility has produced Volkswagen cars and SUVs specifically designed for the North American markets, beginning with the [[Volkswagen Passat NMS|Passat B7]] in 2011. The company recently announced plans to expand further by investing $900&nbsp;million to add floor space to the factory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/07/volkswagen-expansion-tech-center-chattanooga/|title=Volkswagen plans expansion, tech center in Chattanooga|author=Chris Bruce|date=7 April 2015|work=Autoblog|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123140/http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/07/volkswagen-expansion-tech-center-chattanooga/|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Volkswagen 1-litre car|VW XL1]] began a limited production run in 2013. The XL1 is a lightweight and fuel-efficient two-person vehicle (only 795&nbsp;kg).

On 14 September 2016, Volkswagen announced its partnership with three Israeli [[Computer security|cybersecurity]] experts to create a new company, Cymotive, dedicated to automotive security.<ref>By Charlie Osborne, ZDNet. "[https://www.zdnet.com/article/volkswagen-launches-new-cybersecurity-firm-to-tackle-car-security/ Volkswagen launches new cybersecurity firm to tackle car security]." 15 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.</ref>

===Volkswagen emissions scandal ===
{{main|Volkswagen emissions scandal}}
2015 saw the company engulfed in scandal: the [[Volkswagen emissions scandal]], sometimes known as '''Dieselgate'''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://fortune.com/2018/02/06/volkswagen-vw-emissions-scandal-penalties/ |title=How VW Paid $25 Billion for 'Dieselgate' – and Got Off Easy |first=Roger |last=Parloff |work=Fortune |location=US |date=6 February 2018 |access-date=28 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="link.springer.com">{{cite journal |title=Did the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Harm the "Made in Germany" Image? A Cross‑Cultural, Cross‑Products, Cross‑Time Study |first1=Thomas |last1=Aichner |first2=Paolo |last2=Coletti |first3=Frank |last3=Jacob |first4=Robert |last4=Wilken |journal=Corporate Reputation Review |date=2021 |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=179–190 |doi=10.1057/s41299-020-00101-5 |s2cid=229016335 |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057%2Fs41299-020-00101-5 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> or '''Emissionsgate''',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/accc-takes-volkswagen-to-court-over-diesel-emission-claims-20160901-gr61ud.html |title=ACCC takes Volkswagen to court over diesel emission claims |first1=Lucy |last1=Cormack |first2=Patrick |last2=Hatch |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 September 2016 |access-date=28 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="link.springer.com"/> began in September 2015, when the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) issued a notice of violation of the [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]] to German automaker [[Volkswagen Group]].<ref name="Jung and Sharon (2019)">{{Cite Q|Q104840679}}</ref> The agency had found that Volkswagen had intentionally programmed [[turbocharged direct injection]] (TDI) [[diesel engine]]s to activate their [[Exhaust gas|emissions]] controls only during laboratory [[emissions testing]], which caused the vehicles' {{NOx|link=yes}} output to meet US standards during regulatory testing. However, the vehicles emitted up to 40 times more {{NOx}} in real-world driving.<ref name="npr-congressdefeatdevice">{{cite news|title='It Was Installed For This Purpose', VW's U.S. CEO Tells Congress About Defeat Device|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/08/446861855/volkswagen-u-s-ceo-faces-questions-on-capitol-hill|access-date=19 October 2015| publisher=NPR|date=8 October 2015}}</ref> Volkswagen deployed this software in about 11 million cars worldwide, including 500,000 in the United States, in [[model year]]s 2009 through 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/a883dc3da7094f97852572a00065d7d8/dfc8e33b5ab162b985257ec40057813b |title=EPA, California Notify Volkswagen of Clean Air Act Violations / Carmaker allegedly used software that circumvents emissions testing for certain air pollutants |publisher=EPA |location=US |date=18 September 2015 |access-date=1 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302172909/https://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/a883dc3da7094f97852572a00065d7d8/dfc8e33b5ab162b985257ec40057813b |archive-date=2 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Jordans|first1=Frank |title=EPA: {{sic|Volkswagon|nolink=y}} Thwarted Pollution Regulations For 7 Years|url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/21/epa-volkswagon-thwarted-pollution-regulations-for-7-years/|access-date=24 September 2015|agency=Associated Press|publisher=CBS Detroit |date=21 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="Spiegel">{{cite news|title= Abgasaffäre: VW-Chef Müller spricht von historischer Krise|url=http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/volkswagen-chef-mueller-sieht-konzern-in-historischer-krise-a-1055148.html|access-date=28 September 2015|agency=Reuters|work=Der Spiegel|date=28 September 2015}}</ref><ref name=Ewing2015b>{{Citation |title= Volkswagen Denied Deception to E.P.A. for Nearly a Year |first1= Jack |last1= Ewing |date= 21 September 2015 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/business/international/volkswagen-shares-recall.html |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |access-date= 20 February 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170131110445/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/business/international/volkswagen-shares-recall.html |archive-date= 31 January 2017 |url-status= live }}</ref> 

In June 2016, Volkswagen agreed to a settlement of up to $14.7 billion to resolve allegations of cheating emissions tests and deceiving customers on 2.0-liter diesel vehicles. The settlement included provisions for Volkswagen to buy back or modify affected vehicles, compensate consumers, and invest in environmental mitigation and zero-emission vehicle technology. This agreement represented one of the largest consumer class-action settlements in U.S. history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Volkswagen to Spend Up to $14.7 Billion to Settle Allegations of Cheating Emissions Tests and Deceiving Customers on 2.0 Liter Diesel Vehicles |url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/volkswagen-spend-147-billion-settle-allegations-cheating-emissions-tests-and-deceiving |website=justice.gov |date=June 28, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>
The [[Volkswagen Atlas]], a large [[crossover (automobile)|crossover]] [[sport utility vehicle|SUV]], began production in late 2016, and aimed to help end several years of losses for Volkswagen in the United States, the world's second-largest auto market.<ref name=Boston>{{Cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/07/16/vw_picks_tenn_for_its_1st_us_car_plant_since_88/ |title=VW picks Tenn. for its 1st US car plant since '88 |author=Bloomberg News |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=16 July 2008 |access-date=16 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231631/http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/07/16/vw_picks_tenn_for_its_1st_us_car_plant_since_88/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |url-status=live |author-link=Bloomberg News }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jul/14/vw-announce-new-suv-today-chattanooga/|title=UPDATE: VW announces Chattanooga-made SUV, and 2,000 new jobs|work=timesfreepress.com|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045957/http://m.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jul/14/vw-announce-new-suv-today-chattanooga/|archive-date=8 August 2014}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Focus on electric vehicles ===
[[File:2020 Volkswagen ID.3 1st Front.jpg|thumb|The [[Volkswagen ID.3]]]]
In 2017, Volkswagen announced plans to place a considerable focus on [[electric vehicles]] (EV), with a goal to, by 2025, launch at least 30 EV models, and have 20 to 25 per cent of their total yearly sales volume (2–3 million) consist of EVs.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=VW strives to be leader in e-cars, self-driving vehicles |publisher=Deutsche Welle |location=Wolfsburg |date=5 May 2017 }}</ref> In September, Volkswagen CEO Matthias Müller stated that the company aimed to have electric versions of all of its vehicle models by 2030, at a cost of 20&nbsp;billion euro, and 50&nbsp;billion euro on acquisition of batteries.<ref name="bloomberg-ev">{{cite news|last1=Rauwald|first1=Christoph|title=VW to Build Electric Versions of All 300 Models by 2030|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-11/vw-ceo-vows-to-offer-electric-version-of-all-300-models-by-2030|access-date=11 October 2017|work=Bloomberg|date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011232755/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-11/vw-ceo-vows-to-offer-electric-version-of-all-300-models-by-2030|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 March 2017 at the Geneva Motor Show Volkswagen presented its prototype for a fully autonomous car, [[Sedric]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Ars|date=2017-03-09|title=Volkswagen unveils Sedric, its first fully autonomous vehicle|url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2017/03/volkswagen-unveils-sedric-its-first-fully-autonomous-vehicle/|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}</ref>

Volkswagen returned to motorsport in 2018 by unveiling its all-electric [[Volkswagen I.D. R|I.D. R]]. At the [[Pikes Peak International Hill Climb]], [[Romain Dumas]] set an all-time course record of just under eight minutes driving the I.D. R.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/hillclimb/news/dumas-shatters-pikes-peak-record-in-electric-vw-1047461/3128844/|title=Dumas shatters Pikes Peak record in electric VW|website=Motorsport.com|date=24 June 2018 |language=en|access-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918110418/https://www.motorsport.com/hillclimb/news/dumas-shatters-pikes-peak-record-in-electric-vw-1047461/3128844/|archive-date=18 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2018, Volkswagen announced that it would discontinue production of the [[Volkswagen Beetle (A5)|Beetle (A5)]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a19155284/volkswagen-beetle-discontinued/|title=Volkswagen Is Cancelling the Beetle in 2019|last1=Silvestro|first1=Brian|last2=Perkins|first2=Chris|date=13 September 2018|website=Road & Track|language=en-US|access-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717002948/https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a19155284/volkswagen-beetle-discontinued/|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in September 2018, Volkswagen announced its $100 million investment in [[Silicon Valley]]–based [[solid-state battery]] startup [[QuantumScape]], becoming the startup's largest automotive investor and gaining representation on its board.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/2018/09/QuantumScape.html |title=Volkswagen closes QuantumScape transaction |publisher=Volkswagen |date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402224536/https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/2018/09/QuantumScape.html |archive-date=2 April 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2019, Volkswagen announced that it would launch an entry-level [[Jetta (car marque)|Jetta]] sub-brand in China aimed at young buyers. Three models were announced in July 2019, a sedan and two SUVs,<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 July 2019|title=VW's first Jetta-subbrand crossover price to start below 90,000 yuan|url=https://www.autonews.com/china/vws-first-jetta-subbrand-crossover-price-start-below-90000-yuan|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Automotive News|language=en}}</ref> all three of which will be manufactured in China as a part of Volkswagen's joint-venture with [[FAW Group|FAW]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a26532859/volkswagen-jetta-brand-china/|title=Jetta Becomes a Separate Brand for China to Entice Entry-Level Buyers|work=[[Car and Driver]]|last=Dorian|first=Drew|date=26 February 2019|access-date=26 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226210604/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a26532859/volkswagen-jetta-brand-china/|archive-date=26 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2019 at the [[International Motor Show Germany|Frankfurt Motor Show]], Volkswagen officially unveiled a refreshed logo (a thinner, two-dimensional version of the previous logo) and new [[sonic branding]], which will accompany the newly launched [[Volkswagen ID.3|ID.3]] electric vehicle. Volkswagen stated that the ID.3 signified the start of a "new era" of the company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-09/vw-to-unveil-new-logo-affordable-e-cars-in-show-of-new-era|title=VW Unveils New Logo, Affordable E-Cars in Show of New Era|date=9 September 2019|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|access-date=12 September 2019}}</ref>

In September 2019, Volkswagen also announced a program to allow old Beetle models to be converted to run on electric power. The electric motor and battery updates will be done in partnership with German company eClassics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/hybrid-electric/a28939182/electric-vw-beetles-buses/|title=Vintage VW Beetles and Buses Are Going Electric|author=David Grossman|publisher=Popular Mechanics|access-date=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007202120/https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/hybrid-electric/a28939182/electric-vw-beetles-buses/|archive-date=7 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The electric components used for retrofitting will be based upon those found in the [[Volkswagen Up|e-up!]] model.

In November 2020, Volkswagen announced that, trying to remain the world's largest carmaker in the green era, it has increased its investment in electric and self-driving cars to $86 billion over the next five years.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 November 2020|title=VW boosts investment in electric and autonomous car technology to $86 billon|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/volkswagen-strategy-idUSKBN27T24O|access-date=13 November 2020}}</ref>

In January 2021, Volkswagen announced that its sales in 2020 dropped by 9.9% in China, 23.4% in western Europe and 17.1% in North America.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 January 2021|title=Volkswagen brand 2020 sales drop but recovery seen in December|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-results-idUSKBN29H17W|access-date=12 January 2021}}</ref>

<span class="anchor" id="Voltswagen"></span>
In March 2021, Volkswagen announced that it would stop developing new internal combustion engines, although it would keep tweaking existing engines to comply with stricter emission rules.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Volkswagen to stop selling combustion engines in Europe by 2035 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210627-volkswagen-to-stop-selling-combustion-engines-in-europe-by-2035 |website=France 24}}</ref> Also, the company announced it was changing the American division's name to "Voltswagen", with the help of [[Johannes Leonardo]], before revealing the move to be a hoax. In a tweet, the company said, the stunt "got the whole world buzzing." However, some news sources considered the announcement to be real, including the [[Associated Press]], whose headline about being fooled stated, "Volkswagen caught lying again, this time about changing its name."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/volkswagens-polarizing-april-fools-day-joke-built-brand-buzz-what-cost/2325341|title=Volkswagen's polarizing April Fools' Day joke built brand buzz, but at what cost?|last=Schultz|first=E.J.|work=[[Advertising Age]]|date=April 5, 2021|volume=92|issue=4|page=1}}</ref>

In March 2022, Volkswagen released the [[Volkswagen ID. Buzz|ID. Buzz]] electric minivan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hoffman|first=Connor|date=2022-01-06|title=2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Microbus EV Will Debut March 9|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38684870/2024-volkswagen-idbuzz-microbus-release-date/|access-date=2022-02-09|website=Car and Driver|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 11 May 2022 Volkswagen confirmed the relaunch of its [[Scout (automobile)|Scout]] off-road vehicle brand, this time as an [[Electric vehicle|EV]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/volkswagen-international-scout-ev-revival-off-road-pickup-suv/|author=Daniel Golson|date=May 11, 2022|title=Volkswagen Revives International Scout as US-Built EV Truck and SUV|work=CNET}}</ref> Production is set to begin in 2026, and this relaunch will be the first time that VW creates a new brand based solely in the U.S. market.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-is-bringing-back-the-scout-the-suv-pioneer-as-an-ev-11652220001|author=William Boston|date=May 10, 2022|title=Volkswagen Is Bringing Back the Scout, the SUV Pioneer, as an EV|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

In July 2022, Volkswagen noted the development of the first of their own ''[[Gigafactories]]''.<ref name="2022-07-07-ars">{{cite news |last1=Gitlin |first1=Jonathan M. |title=Volkswagen starts building the first of six battery gigafactories |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/07/volkswagen-starts-building-the-first-of-six-battery-gigafactories/ |access-date=8 July 2022 |work=Ars Technica |date=7 July 2022 |language=en-us}}</ref> The site, based in [[Salzgitter]] in Germany, has been termed ''Mission SalzGiga''. The new business unit is focused on all of Volkswagen's battery activities "from raw materials and the cell right through to recycling", and is part of a €20 billion investment.<ref name="2022-07-07-ars" /> Another Volkswagen gigafactory project in [[Sagunto]] needed government subsidies in order to go ahead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Cameron |date=2022-11-02 |title=Economic climate starts to bite for battery gigafactory projects in Europe |url=https://www.energy-storage.news/economic-climate-starts-to-bite-for-battery-gigafactory-projects-in-europe/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Energy Storage}}</ref>

In September 2022, Volkswagen introduced the ID. XTREME1 concept car, an off-road electric SUV.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Lalit |date=September 19, 2022 |title=Volkswagen Reveals its First Off-Road Electric SUV |work=Electric Vehicle Info |url=https://e-vehicleinfo.com/volkswagen-reveals-its-off-road-electric-suv/ |access-date=October 3, 2022}}</ref>

Volkswagen planning a [[Hydrogen vehicle|hydrogen car]] with 1,250s range of mile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/volkswagen-hydrogen-car/8555838/|title=Volkswagen Is Developing A Hydrogen Car With A 1,250-mile Range|first=Alicia|last=Moore|date=9 November 2022|website=H2 News}}</ref> VW’s CEO has stated that they do not plan to roll out H2 passenger vehicles in the 2020s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hydrogen-cars-vw-2030/8557078/|title=Volkwagen Says Hydrogen Cars Aren't Competitive Enough To Launch Before 2030|first=John|last=Max|date=31 January 2023|website=H2 News}}</ref> The deals showcase in the patent filing was developed as part of a collaboration between Volkswagen and Kraftwerk Tubes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/volkswagen-hydrogen-fuel-cell-pat/8565334/|title=Is Volkswagen Taking A New Look At The Hydrogen Fuel Cell?|first=Julie|last=Campbell|date=20 June 2024|website=H2 News}}</ref>

In December 2023, VW announced that its brands selling in the North American market—Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Scout Motors—would adopt the Tesla-initiated [[North American Charging System|NACS charging]] connector starting in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dow |first=Jameson |date=2023-12-19 |title=VW, Audi, Porsche finally commit to NACS connectors in 2025 |url=https://electrek.co/2023/12/19/vw-audi-porsche-finally-commit-to-nacs-connectors-in-2025/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Electrek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew J. |date=2023-12-19 |title=Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi finally say they will use Tesla's EV charging plug |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/19/24008426/volkswagen-audi-porsche-tesla-nacs-ev-charging-plug |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2024, VW stated that it will continue to heavily develop its internal combustion engine vehicles amid dwindling sales of its EV product line.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/vw-cfo-arno-antlitz-says-big-ice-investments-will-continue|title=EVs are the future, but combustion era 'is not over,' VW CFO says|publisher=Automotive News Europe|last=Hoyal|first=Lois|date=June 5, 2024|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

In October 2024, Scout Motors announced it will sell directly to customers and service vehicles itself, following the model adopted by [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]] and other EV competitors, rather than use the Volkswagen dealer network.<ref name=cnbc-20241025>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/25/auto-dealer-groups-to-challenge-scout-motors-decision-to-sell-directly-to-consumers.html |title=Auto dealer groups to challenge Scout Motors' decision to sell directly to consumers |agency=Reuters |publisher=CNBC News |date=25 October 2024 |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

In December 2024, Workers at Volkswagen factories in Germany announced they were going to strike over plans to close at least three plants, lay off thousands of workers, and cut pay by 10%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rankin |first=Jennifer |date=2024-12-02 |title=Volkswagen workers in Germany to strike over plan to cut jobs and pay |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/02/volkswagen-workers-strike-germany-jobs-pay-cuts |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>{{outdated inline|reason=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-02/vw-workers-start-walkouts-over-plans-to-slash-costs-in-germany|date=October 2025}}

In August 2025, Volkswagen introduced a subscription service for their customers, charging £16.50 monthly, £165 annually, or £649 for lifetime access to unlock the vehicles' full 228 bhp output, which the hardware supports from the factory but is software-limited to 201 bhp by default.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2025 |title=VW introduces monthly subscription to increase car power |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62weyp4qqgo}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Forget Netflix, Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription |url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/367566/forget-netflix-volkswagen-locks-horsepower-behind-paid-subscription |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=Auto Express |language=en}}</ref>

==Operations==
{{See also|Volkswagen Group#Corporate affairs}}{{recentism|date=July 2017}}
Volkswagen is the founding and namesake member of the [[Volkswagen Group]], a large international corporation in charge of multiple car and truck brands, including [[Audi]], [[SEAT]], [[Porsche]], [[Lamborghini]], [[Bentley]], [[Bugatti]], [[Scania AB|Scania]], [[MAN SE|MAN]], and [[Škoda Auto|Škoda]]. Volkswagen Group's global headquarters are located in Volkswagen's historic home of [[Wolfsburg]], Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Volkswagen-Group|title=Volkswagen Group| date=2017|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|location = Chicago | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002709/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Volkswagen-Group|archive-date=24 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/group.html|title=Group|website=VolkswagenAG.com|access-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907075810/https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/group.html|archive-date=7 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Volkswagen Group, as a unit, is Europe's largest motor vehicle manufacturer, with over 74,000 employees and over 7,700 dealerships.<ref name=wsj20120604>{{cite news|last=Rauwald|first=Christoph|title=VW Bolsters Focus on China|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=4 June 2012|page=B3}}</ref> For a long time, Volkswagen has had a market share over 20 per cent.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/files/20100615_PRPC-FINAL-1005.pdf | title=New Car Registrations By Manufacturer(PDF) | publisher=ACEA | date=15 June 2010 | access-date=2 July 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808211605/http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/files/20100615_PRPC-FINAL-1005.pdf | archive-date=8 August 2011}}</ref>

In 2010, Volkswagen posted record sales of 6.29&nbsp;million vehicles, with its global market share at 11.4%.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aogNDPaJIfbQ | publisher=Bloomberg | title=Volkswagen Posts Record 2009 Sales, Targets Toyota | date=12 December 2010 | access-date=12 December 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201171518/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aogNDPaJIfbQ | archive-date=1 December 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Volkswagen became the third-largest car maker in the world,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-overtakes-ford-as-3rd-largest-automaker.html| publisher=Left Lane News| title=VW Overtakes Ford as 3rd-Largest Automaker| date=29 August 2008| access-date=12 December 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321031116/http://www.leftlanenews.com/vw-overtakes-ford-as-3rd-largest-automaker.html| archive-date=21 March 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> and, as of 2016, Volkswagen was the second largest manufacturer worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oica.net/wp-content/uploads/World-Ranking-of-Manufacturers.pdf|website=www.oica.net|title=World Motor Vehicle Production|access-date=12 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014183157/http://www.oica.net/wp-content/uploads/World-Ranking-of-Manufacturers.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018 the company benefited from trade tariffs and new emission standards, with a record deliveries of 10.8 million vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/21569a7a-1587-11e9-a581-4ff78404524e|title=German carmaker Volkswagen ends 2018 with record group sales |website=Financial Times |date=11 January 2019 |language=en-GB |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113062324/https://www.ft.com/content/21569a7a-1587-11e9-a581-4ff78404524e |archive-date=13 January 2019 |url-status=live |last1=McGee |first1=Patrick |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Volkswagen Group's core markets include Germany and China.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://media.vw.com/press_releases/volkswagen-group-reports-6-7-percent-growth-in-worldwide-deliveries-in-july | publisher=VW | title=Volkswagen Group reports 6.7 percent growth in worldwide deliveries in July | date=12 December 2010 | access-date=12 December 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725175213/http://media.vw.com/press_releases/volkswagen-group-reports-6-7-percent-growth-in-worldwide-deliveries-in-july | archive-date=25 July 2011}}</ref>

In July 2019, Volkswagen invested $2.6 billion in [[Argo AI]], a startup focused on developing [[Autonomous car|self-driving vehicles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/argo-ai-ford-volkswagen-1656ab48-ab00-4c53-94de-41c899bae8ad.html|title=Argo AI gets $2.6 billion boost in new Ford-Volkswagen deal|website=Axios|date=12 July 2019|language=en|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717151551/https://www.axios.com/argo-ai-ford-volkswagen-1656ab48-ab00-4c53-94de-41c899bae8ad.html|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===International properties logos===
[[File:Volkswagen Logo history.svg|left|thumb|300px|Volkswagen logo evolution (1937–2019)]]
[[List of Volkswagen Group factories|Volkswagen has factories]] in many parts of the world, manufacturing or assembling vehicles for local markets. In addition to plants in Germany, Volkswagen has manufacturing or assembly facilities in Mexico, the United States, Slovakia, China, India, Russia (sold to the Russian company Avilon in 2023<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.banki.ru/news/lenta/?id=10987294|title=Для бывшей "дочки" Volkswagen в России придумали новое название|language=ru|date=2023-06-21|website=Banki.ru}}</ref>), Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenya and South Africa. In 2011, Volkswagen was named in the top 25 largest companies in the world by the [[Forbes]] Global 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The World's Biggest Public Companies|url=https://www.forbes.com/global2000/|magazine=[[Forbes.com]]|access-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221222151/http://www.forbes.com/global2000/|archive-date=21 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Volkswagen|url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/volkswagen-group/|magazine=Forbes|access-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526011432/http://www.forbes.com/companies/volkswagen-group/|archive-date=26 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of May 2014, Volkswagen was planning to start assembling certain engines in India to increase localisation from 70% to 90%.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India-Business/Volkswagen-plans-engine-assembly-in-India-to-increase-90-per-cent-localisation/articleshow/35389109.cms|title=Volkswagen plans engine assembly in India; to increase 90 per cent localisation|work=The Times of India|date=20 May 2014 |access-date=22 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016051318/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India-Business/Volkswagen-plans-engine-assembly-in-India-to-increase-90-per-cent-localisation/articleshow/35389109.cms|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2016, Volkswagen announced the launch of a new factory in Algeria during a summit between [[Angela Merkel]] and Algerian prime minister [[Abdelmalek Sellal]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/293388/economie/automobile-bientot-une-usine-volkswagen-en-algerie/ | title=Automobile: bientôt une usine Volkswagen en Algérie ? | work=[[Jeune Afrique]] | date=13 January 2016 | access-date=23 January 2016 | language=fr | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130144310/http://www.jeuneafrique.com/293388/economie/automobile-bientot-une-usine-volkswagen-en-algerie/ | archive-date=30 January 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> The factory was launched in [[Relizane]], producing [[Volkswagen Golf VII]], [[Volkswagen Polo]], [[Volkswagen Caddy]], [[Seat Ibiza|SEAT Ibiza]] and [[Skoda Octavia|Škoda Octavia]] cars.

In the 2024 review of {{abbrlink|WIPO|World Intellectual Property Organization}}'s annual [[World Intellectual Property Indicators]] VW ranked 6th in the world for its 312 [[industrial design]] registrations that were published under the [[Hague Agreement Concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs|Hague System]] during 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hague Yearly Review 2024 |url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo-pub-930-2024-en-hague-yearly-review-2024.pdf |website=wipo.int}}</ref>

Since 1985, Volkswagen has also run the Volkswagen AutoMuseum in Wolfsburg, which is dedicated to the history of the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://automuseum.volkswagen.de/index.php?id=2&L=1 |title=Volkswagen AutoMuseum :: About us |publisher=Automuseum.volkswagen.de |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815195037/http://automuseum.volkswagen.de/index.php?id=2&L=1 |archive-date=15 August 2011 }}</ref>{{third-party inline|date=January 2022}}

=== Working conditions ===
{{Main|Volkswagen worker organizations}}
With 120,000 employees in Germany,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ruddick|first=Graham|date=2016-11-18|title=Volkswagen to axe 30,000 jobs worldwide|url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/18/volkswagen-axe-30000-jobs-worldwide-diesel-emissions-scandal|access-date=2021-12-06|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en}}</ref> VW is one of the most well [[Labour movement|organized labour]] represented companies in the world and Germany. The role that [[Works council|Works Councils]] and [[IG Metall]] play is unique even within Germany. VW workers have some of the strongest [[collective agreements]]. VW has a strong tradition and practice of [[Social Partnership|social partnership]] and [[Codetermination in Germany|co-determination]].<ref name="Whittall">{{Cite journal|last1=Whittall|first1=M.|last2=Lucio|first2=M. M.|last3=Mustchin|first3=S.|last4=Telljohann|first4=V.|last5=Sánchez|first5=F. R.|title=Workplace trade union engagement with European Works Councils and transnational agreements: the case of Volkswagen Europe|url=https://core.ac.uk/display/188183754|journal=[[European Journal of Industrial Relations]]}}</ref>

Volkswagen agreed in December 2011 to implement a rule passed by the company's [[works council|Works Council]] aimed at improving [[work–life balance]] and avoiding [[Occupational burnout|burnout]] by restricting company email functionality on the firm's [[BlackBerry]] smartphones to working periods and the half-hour before and after working periods. About 1,150 of Volkswagen's more than 190,000 employees in Germany were affected by the email restriction.<ref>{{Citation |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-23/volkswagen-employees-wary-of-burnout-win-reprieve-from-blackberry-messages.html |publisher= [[Bloomberg L.P.]] |title= Volkswagen Employees Wary of Burnout Win Reprieve From BlackBerry Messages |first= Cornelius |last= Rahn |date= 23 December 2011 |access-date= 12 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140529231359/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-23/volkswagen-employees-wary-of-burnout-win-reprieve-from-blackberry-messages.html |archive-date= 29 May 2014 |url-status= live |newspaper= Bloomberg.com }}</ref>

Because of Volkswagen's use of [[N-Isopropyl-N'-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine|IPPD]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lammintausta |first1=K |last2=Kalimo |first2=K |title=Sensitivity to Rubber. Study with Rubber Mixes and Individual Rubber Chemicals. |journal=Dermatosen in Beruf und Umwelt. Occupation and Environment |date=1985 |volume=33 |issue=6 |pages=204–8 |pmid=2936592}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Conde-Salazar |first1=Luis |last2=del-Río |first2=Emilio |last3=Guimaraens |first3=Dolores |last4=Domingo |first4=Antonia González |title=Type IV Allergy to Rubber Additives: A 10-Year Study of 686 Cases |journal=Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |date=August 1993 |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=176–180 |doi=10.1016/0190-9622(93)70163-N|pmid=8335734 }}</ref> a human contact allergen, in various polymers of their vehicles, they have coined the term "Volkswagen dermatitis".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jordan|first=William P. Jr.|date=1971-01-01|title=Contact Dermatitis From N-Isopropyl-N-Phenylparaphenylenediamine: "Volkswagen Dermatitis"|journal=Archives of Dermatology|volume=103|issue=1|pages=85–87|doi=10.1001/archderm.1971.04000130087014|issn=0003-987X}}</ref>

===Relationship with Porsche and the Volkswagen Law===
Volkswagen has always had a close relationship with [[Porsche]], the [[Stuttgart|Zuffenhausen]]-based sports car manufacturer founded in 1931 by [[Ferdinand Porsche]], the original Volkswagen designer and Volkswagen company co-founder, hired by Adolf Hitler for the project. The first Porsche car, the [[Porsche 64]] of 1938, used many components from the [[Volkswagen Beetle]]. The 1948 [[Porsche 356]] continued using many Volkswagen components, including a tuned engine, [[gearbox]] and suspension.

The two companies continued their collaboration in 1969 to make the [[Porsche 914|VW-Porsche 914 and Porsche 914-6]]. (The 914-6 had a 6-cylinder Porsche engine, and the standard 914 had a Volkswagen engine.) Volkswagen and Porsche would collaborate again in 1976 on the [[Porsche 912]]-E (the USA only) and the [[Porsche 924]], which used many [[Audi]] components and was built at Audi's [[Neckarsulm]] facilities. The 924 was originally designated for AUDI. Most [[Porsche 944]] models were built there, although they used far fewer VW components.

The [[Porsche Cayenne]], introduced in 2002, shares its entire chassis with the [[Volkswagen Touareg]] and [[Audi Q7]], and is built at the same Volkswagen factory in [[Bratislava]] that the other SUVs are built.

In September 2005, Porsche announced it would increase its 5% stake in Volkswagen to 20% at a cost of €3&nbsp;billion, with the intention that the combined stakes of Porsche and the government of Lower Saxony would ensure that any hostile takeover by foreign investors would be impossible.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4281864.stm |title=Porsche wants 20% Volkswagen deal &#124; 26 September 2005 |work=BBC News |date=26 September 2005 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006040107/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4281864.stm |archive-date=6 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Speculated suitors included [[DaimlerChrysler]], [[BMW]], and [[Renault]]. In July 2006, Porsche increased their ownership again to 25.1%.

On 4 March 2005, the European Commission brought an action against the Federal Republic of Germany before the European Court of Justice, claiming that the [[Volkswagen Law]], which prevents any shareholder in Volkswagen from executing more than 20% of the total voting rights in the firm, was illegally restricting the flow of capital in Europe.<ref name="Official Text of the action">{{cite web|author=Commission of the European Communities|title=Action brought on 4 March 2005 by the Commission of the European Communities against the Federal Republic of Germany|url=http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=Volkswagen&docid=59985&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=66367#ctx1|publisher=European Court of Justice|access-date=13 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521044955/http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=Volkswagen&docid=59985&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=66367#ctx1|archive-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> On 13 February 2007, [[Advocate General]] [[Dámaso Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer]] submitted an opinion to the court in support of the action.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6356787.stm |title=Top EU court finds against VW law |work=BBC News |date=13 February 2007 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206031746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6356787.stm |archive-date=6 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> This again opened the possibility of a hostile takeover of VW and so on 26 March of the same year Porsche took its holding of Volkswagen shares to 30.9%. Porsche formally announced in a press statement that it did not intend to take over Volkswagen, but intended the move to avoid a competitor's taking a large stake and to stop hedge funds from dismantling VW.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6494593.stm |title=Porsche triggers VW takeover bid |work=BBC News |date=26 March 2007 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430193512/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6494593.stm |archive-date=30 April 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> As expected, on 22 October 2007, the [[European Court of Justice]] ruled in agreement with Ruiz-Jarabo and the law was struck down.<ref>{{cite news |last=Landler |first=Mark |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/business/worldbusiness/23cnd-volks.html |title=Court Strikes Down 'Volkswagen Law' |location=Germany |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 October 2007 |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522045808/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/business/worldbusiness/23cnd-volks.html |archive-date=22 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Full Text of the Judgment">{{cite web|author=European Court of Justice|title=Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber) in Case C-112/05|url=http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=Volkswagen&docid=70710&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=66367#ctx1|publisher=European Court of Justice|access-date=13 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521042228/http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=Volkswagen&docid=70710&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=66367#ctx1|archive-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> In October 2007, the [[European Court of Justice]] ruled that the VW law was illegal<ref>{{cite web|url=http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2009-02/cp070074en.pdf|title=THE VOLKSWAGEN LAW RESTRICTS THE FREE MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL|date=23 October 2007|publisher=COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES|access-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714224528/http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2009-02/cp070074en.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> because it was [[Protectionism|protectionist]]. At that time, [[Porsche]] held 31% of VW shares&nbsp;– although a smaller proportion of voting rights, due to the Volkswagen Law&nbsp;– and there had been speculation that Porsche would be interested in taking over VW if the law did not stand in its way. The court also prevented the government from appointing Volkswagen board members.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7057815.stm|title='Volkswagen law' is ruled illegal|date=23 October 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=17 February 2013}}</ref> The German government then rewrote the Volkswagen law, only to be sued again.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204630904577057730270544356.html|title=EU To Sue Germany Again Over 'Volkswagen Law'|date=24 November 2011|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229143801/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204630904577057730270544356.html|archive-date=29 December 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/27/germany-in-court-again-over-vw-law-could-face-fines-of-nearly/|title=Germany in court again over "VW Law," could face fines of nearly $375,000/day|last=Ramsey|date=27 November 2011|work=Autoblog|access-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701181741/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/27/germany-in-court-again-over-vw-law-could-face-fines-of-nearly/|archive-date=1 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theparliament.com/latest-news/article/newsarticle/germany-sued-for-second-time-over-volkswagen-law/|title=Germany sued for second time over 'Volkswagen law'|date=25 November 2011|work=The Parliament|access-date=17 February 2013}}{{Dead link|date=September 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In October 2013, the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled that the rewritten Volkswagen law "complied in full" with EU rules.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-22/germany-wins-eu-court-fight-over-vw-law-legality-escapes-fines.html/|title=Germany Wins EU Court Battle Over VW Law, Escapes Fines|author=Bloomberg|date=22 October 2013|access-date=5 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222145253/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-22/germany-wins-eu-court-fight-over-vw-law-legality-escapes-fines.html/|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 October 2008, Porsche revealed its plan to assume control of VW. As of that day, it held 42.6% of Volkswagen's ordinary shares and stock options on another 31.5%. Combined with the state of Lower Saxony's 20.1% stake, this left only 5.8% of shares on the market—mostly with index funds that could not legally sell.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/05a4df12-a396-11dd-942c-000077b07658 |title=Financial Times &#124; Porsche plans to raise VW stake to 75% |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=26 October 2008 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029052916/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/05a4df12-a396-11dd-942c-000077b07658.html |archive-date=29 October 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hedge fund]]s desperate to cover their [[short (finance)|short]] positions forced Volkswagen stock above one thousand euros per share, briefly making it the world's largest company by [[market capitalisation]] on 28 October 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/05bbd234-a4d2-11dd-b4f5-000077b07658 |title=VW vies for title of world's biggest company |work=Financial Times |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029223857/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/05bbd234-a4d2-11dd-b4f5-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1 |archive-date=29 October 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> By January 2009, Porsche had a 50.76% holding in Volkswagen AG, although the "Volkswagen Law" prevented it from taking control of the company.<ref name="bbc-porsche-jan-2009">{{Cite news|title=Porsche takes majority VW stake |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7813073.stm|access-date=16 June 2010|work=BBC News|date=6 January 2009}}</ref>

On 6 May 2009, the two companies decided to join, in a merger.

On 13 August, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft's supervisory board signed the agreement to create an integrated automotive group with Porsche led by Volkswagen. The initial decision was for Volkswagen to take a 42.0% stake in Porsche AG by the end of 2009, and it would also see the family shareholders selling the automobile trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg to Volkswagen.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.taume.com/World-Business/Business-Finance/Volkswagen-to-take-a-42-0-percent-stake-in-Porsche-AG-11861|title=Volkswagen to take a 42.0 percent stake in Porsche AG|access-date=22 January 2009|publisher=Taume News|date=14 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818162016/http://news.taume.com/World-Business/Business-Finance/Volkswagen-to-take-a-42-0-percent-stake-in-Porsche-AG-11861|archive-date=18 August 2009}}</ref> In October 2009 however, Volkswagen announced that its percentage in Porsche would be 49.9% for a cost of €3.9&nbsp;billion (the 42.0% deal would have cost €3.3&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8317010.stm|title=VW to buy half of Porsche by 2010|access-date=20 October 2009|work=BBC News|date=20 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022045153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8317010.stm|archive-date=22 October 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 March 2011, Volkswagen has finalised the purchase of Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS), Austria's leading specialty automobile distributor, for €3.3&nbsp;billion ($4.55&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.industryweek.com/articles/vw_buys_porsche_sales_unit_24005.aspx?SectionID=4|title=VW purchase Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS)|access-date=1 March 2011|work=IndustryWeek|date=1 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324221730/http://www.industryweek.com/articles/vw_buys_porsche_sales_unit_24005.aspx?SectionID=4|archive-date=24 March 2012}}</ref>

In January 2020, Volkswagen was overtaken by [[Tesla, Inc.]] as the second-most valuable auto maker.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-tops-volkswagen-to-become-second-most-valuable-auto-maker-11579709320|title=Tesla Tops Volkswagen to Become Second-Most-Valuable Auto Maker|last=Higgins|first=Tim|date=22 January 2020|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=23 January 2020|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

=== Exit from Russian market ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2024}}
After 24 February 2022, as a result of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine]] and in line with sanctions against Russia, Volkswagen, after [[BMW]] and [[Mercedes-Benz Group|Mercedes]], ceased production at its subsidiaries in Russia—the plants in [[Kaluga]] and [[Nizhny Novgorod]]. It also terminated all dealership agreements with Russian partners, sold all its shares,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-19 |title=Volkswagen exits Russia following sale of local assets |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/transport/article/2023/05/19/volkswagen-exits-russia-following-sale-of-local-assets_6027261_216.html |access-date=2024-06-17 |work=Le Monde.fr |language=en}}</ref> and stopped exporting models of its subsidiary [[Porsche]] to Russia. Volkswagen has an agreement with Art Finance LLC, the financial partner of the local Avilon dealer, which provides for the transfer of all local VW subsidiaries to the new investor.

In March 2023, a Russian court froze all Volkswagen's assets in Russia at the suit of the local automaker GAZ.

==Product line==
{{Main|List of Volkswagen vehicles}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#abcdef;" | Best-selling Volkswagen models in 2022<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Volkswagen Passenger Cars |url=https://annualreport2022.volkswagenag.com/divisions/volkswagen-passenger-cars.html |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=Volkswagen Group Annual Report 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
!Rank
!Model
!Production output
|-
!1
|[[Volkswagen Tiguan|Tiguan]]
|604,536
|-
!2
|[[Volkswagen Polo|Polo/Virtus/Taigo/Nivus]]
|448,043
|-
!3
|[[Volkswagen Passat|Passat/Magotan]]
|447,246
|-
!4
|[[Volkswagen Lavida|Lavida]]
|377,284
|-
!5
|[[Volkswagen T-Roc|T-Roc]]
|322,211
|-
!6
|[[Volkswagen T-Cross|T-Cross/Tacqua/Taigun]]
|315,036
|-
!7
|[[Volkswagen Golf|Golf]]
|300,090
|-
!8
|[[Volkswagen Jetta|Jetta/Sagitar]] 
|292,038
|-
!9
|[[Volkswagen Atlas|Atlas/Teramont]]
|217,771
|-
!10
|[[Volkswagen Taos|Tharu/Taos]]
|216,397
|}
The Volkswagen brand produces various models which consists of global products and regional products, specifically for large markets including Europe, China and Latin America. Volkswagen AG annual report in 2022 reported that the best-selling model under the Volkswagen brand globally was the [[Volkswagen Tiguan|Tiguan]], followed by the [[B-segment]] range of [[Volkswagen Polo|Polo]], [[Volkswagen Virtus|Virtus]], [[Volkswagen Taigo|Nivus and Taigo]], and [[Volkswagen Passat|Passat/Magotan]].<ref name=":1" />

=== Hatchbacks ===
Volkswagen has been one of the leading manufacturer in terms of hatchback production, which traditionally has been a popular segment in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The best selling cars in Europe in 2020 so far|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/best-selling-cars-in-europe|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Autocar|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Barfield|first=Allison|date=17 June 2020|title=Why is the Volkswagen Golf so Popular?|url=https://www.motorbiscuit.com/why-is-the-volkswagen-golf-so-popular/|access-date=12 September 2020|website=MotorBiscuit|language=en-US}}</ref> The brand offered a range of hatchbacks from A-segment, [[B-segment]], and [[C-segment]]. The [[Volkswagen Golf|Golf]] traditionally has been the strongest selling vehicle for the brand in Europe, followed by the smaller [[Volkswagen Polo|Polo]] which apart from the European market also has a stronghold in emerging markets. Sales for the hatchback category has slowed down due to the rise of the SUV segment.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Almeida|first=Danillo|date=15 April 2020|title=Golf's sales decline shows how much the market is changing|url=https://medium.com/cardesignchronicles/volkswagen-golfs-sales-decline-signals-how-much-is-the-market-changing-67de94778d0b|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Medium|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ltd|first=Motionlab Marketing|date=14 March 2020|title=Global demand of sedans and hatchbacks drops in 2019|url=https://www.jato.com/global-demand-of-sedans-and-hatchbacks-drops-in-2019/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328232919/https://www.jato.com/global-demand-of-sedans-and-hatchbacks-drops-in-2019/|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 March 2020|access-date=12 September 2020|website=JATO}}</ref>

=== SUVs/crossovers ===
[[File:2018 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line TSi BlueMotion 4Motion 2.0 Front.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Volkswagen Tiguan]] has claimed the top spot in terms of sales figures within Volkswagen models.]]
The brand introduced its first crossover SUV in 2002 starting from the [[Volkswagen Touareg|Touareg]], a full-size luxury SUV. The brand SUV expansion continues with the release of Tiguan, a [[C-segment]] mainstream SUV in 2007. In the mid-2010s, the company decided to produce an SUV in every class of car that can justify one, which the brand called the "SUV offensive".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 March 2016|title=Volkswagen SUVs: product onslaught begins at Geneva|url=https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/volkswagen-suv-offensive-product-onslaught-begins-at-geneva/|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Motoring Research|language=en-GB}}</ref> Between 2017 and 2020, the brand has aggressively expanded its SUV line-up by growing its number of models from 2 to 8 models, excluding its derivatives, ranging from [[B-segment]], [[C-segment]], and [[D-segment]] SUVs which include global models and regional models. Volkswagen also started producing derivatives of its SUV models with a rear sloping roof marketed as [[coupé]] SUV which had gained popularity in China, the largest single market for the brand.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Karkafiris |first1=Michael |title=Meet The New Tayron X, VW's Latest Coupe SUV Designed Specifically For China|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2020/02/meet-the-new-tayron-x-vws-latest-coupe-suv-designed-specifically-for-china/|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Carscoops|date=12 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 Volkswagen Tiguan X coupe SUV revealed in pre-release images|url=https://www.caradvice.com.au/868571/2021-volkswagen-tiguan-x-coupe-suv-revealed-in-pre-release-images/|access-date=12 September 2020|website=CarAdvice|language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, every fourth vehicle delivered by the Volkswagen brand today is an SUV, with its top contributor being the Tiguan. The brand plans to have over 30 SUV models on offer worldwide by 2025, contributing 50 per cent of its global sales.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SUV offensive: How we are strengthening the core business|url=https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com:443/en/stories/suv-offensive-how-we-are-strengthening-the-core-business-5680|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Volkswagen Newsroom|language=en|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923095252/https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/stories/suv-offensive-how-we-are-strengthening-the-core-business-5680}}</ref> Volkswagen also expects SUVs to lead the ID. family, its future electric vehicle range of models.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 August 2020|title=Volkswagen begins series production of ID.4, steps up electric offensive|url=https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/volkswagen-steps-up-electric-offensive-series-production-of-id-4-suv-begins-41597914651483.html|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

The SUV expansion has claimed casualties in the MPV segment, which saw the [[Volkswagen Sharan|Sharan]] mid-size MPV being phased out in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Panait|first=Mircea|date=27 March 2020|title=Another MPV Discontinued Because European Demand Shifts Towards Crossovers, SUVs|url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/another-mpv-discontinued-because-european-demand-shifts-towards-crossovers-suvs-142219.html|access-date=12 September 2020|website=autoevolution|language=en}}</ref>

=== Regional models ===

==== Chinese market ====
[[File:2020 SAIC-Volkswagen Lavida.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Volkswagen Lavida]] was the best-selling sedan in China.]]
Until 2022, Volkswagen was a market leader in [[China]], the [[Automotive industry in China|largest single automotive market in the world]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Glenn |date=2023-10-30 |title=BYD overtakes VW in China - what happens next? |url=https://www.just-auto.com/sectors/automotive/byd-becomes-chinas-number-one-brand/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Just Auto |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, 3.16 million Volkswagen-branded vehicles were delivered in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|title=China region|url=https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com:443/en/china-region-3914|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Volkswagen Newsroom|language=en}}</ref> The importance of the market has justified a significant amount of China-specific models. Though Volkswagen was long a leader in the Chinese market, its market share has declined in the 2020s due to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles and increasing competition from Chinese brands. Its market share has fallen from 19% in 2019 to 14.5% in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Waldersee |first=Victoria |date=22 April 2025 |title=VW Group pitches comeback in China with new models, in-house assisted driving |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/vw-group-pitches-comeback-china-with-new-models-in-house-assisted-driving-2025-04-22 |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

[[Sedan (automobile)|Sedans]] are a favoured segment in China due to their spacious interiors and boot space. In 2019, the brand sold 1.6 million of them in China. In the compact [[notchback]] or sedan segment, the brand is represented by several China-only models which include the [[Volkswagen Jetta|Sagitar]], [[Volkswagen Lamando|Lamando]], [[Volkswagen Bora|Bora]], [[Volkswagen Santana|Santana]], [[Volkswagen Lavida|Lavida]], and its derivatives in other body styles,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Market overview: Compact notchback models are one of Volkswagen's key segments in China|url=https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com:443/en/press-releases/market-overview-compact-notchback-models-are-one-of-volkswagens-key-segments-in-china-5954|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Volkswagen Newsroom|language=en}}</ref> while the [[Mid-size car|mid-size sedan]] segment is represented by the [[Volkswagen Passat (NMS)|Passat]] and [[Volkswagen Magotan|Magotan]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=6 sedans that Volkswagen builds for China, where Jetta is its own brand|url=https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/6-sedans-that-volkswagen-builds-for-china-where-jetta-is-its-own-brand-46682978|access-date=12 September 2020|website=www.iol.co.za|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first1 = Sergiu | last1 = Tudose | title=Meet Volkswagen's Chinese Army of Four-Door Sedans|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2020/04/meet-volkswagens-chinese-army-of-four-door-sedans/|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Carscoops|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> The Lavida was the best-selling model in China of all manufacturers in 2019 with 491,000 units sold.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What makes China VW's 'most important market'? {{!}} Autovista Group|url=https://autovistagroup.com/news-and-insights/what-makes-china-vws-most-important-market|access-date=12 September 2020|website=autovistagroup.com|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809023837/https://autovistagroup.com/news-and-insights/what-makes-china-vws-most-important-market}}</ref>

The popularity of SUVs also gave birth to several SUV models built or reworked specifically for China, including the [[Volkswagen Tharu|Tharu]], [[Volkswagen Tayron|Tayron]], Tayron X, Tiguan X, and reworked versions of the [[Volkswagen T-Cross|T-Cross]] and [[Volkswagen T-Roc|T-Roc]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Volkswagen launches model offensive in China|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/2019/04/Volkswagen_launches_model_offensive_in_China.html|access-date=12 September 2020|website=www.volkswagenag.com|archive-date=20 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620075100/https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news/2019/04/Volkswagen_launches_model_offensive_in_China.html}}</ref> The brand also has a strong presence in the premium or luxury segment including the [[Volkswagen Phideon|Phideon]] and [[Volkswagen Viloran|Viloran]] as the models developed specifically for China.<ref>{{Cite web|title=VW Phideon GTE Is The Large Hybrid Sedan Only China Will Get|url=https://www.motor1.com/news/143088/vw-phideon-gte-debut/|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Motor1.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramey|first=Jay|date=29 April 2020|title=The Volkswagen Viloran Is the MPV-Class Galleon That Will Pass Us by|url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/luxury/a32289726/the-volkswagen-viloran-what-is-it/|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Autoweek|language=en-US|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805015131/https://www.autoweek.com/news/luxury/a32289726/the-volkswagen-viloran-what-is-it/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 26 July 2023 Volkswagen announced its investment of $700 million in Chinese EV maker [[XPeng]] for purchasing 4.99% stake of the company. The VW will collaborate with XPeng to develop two VW brand electric models for the mid-size segment in the Chinese market in 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-26 |title=Volkswagen to expand China EV line-up with Xpeng, SAIC partnerships |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagen-expand-china-line-up-with-xpeng-saic-partnerships-2023-07-26/ |access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=More e-models for fast-growing e-mobility market in China: VW brand and Audi agree strategic cooperations with local automakers |url=https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-releases/more-e-models-for-fast-growing-e-mobility-market-in-china-vw-brand-and-audi-agree-strategic-cooperations-with-local-automakers-17495 |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Volkswagen Newsroom |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726162602/https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-releases/more-e-models-for-fast-growing-e-mobility-market-in-china-vw-brand-and-audi-agree-strategic-cooperations-with-local-automakers-17495 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Brazilian market ====
[[File:Brazilian Kombi pair.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[Volkswagen Kombi]] was produced in Brazil from 1957 up to 2013.]]
The brand has a notable history in [[Brazil]]. Volkswagen's relationship with Brazil dates back to the early 1950s. In 1956, Volkswagen began by building a plant in [[São Bernardo do Campo]], near [[São Paulo]] as its first manufacturing plant outside Germany as a response to the Brazil's ban on the import of [[Built up export|completely assembled vehicles]] in 1950.<ref name="stray brazil">{{Cite web|title=A Stray Branch of Volkswagen Evolution Found in Brazil|url=https://dyler.com/posts/99/a-stray-branch-of-volkswagen-evolution-found-in-brazil|access-date=12 September 2020|website=dyler.com|language=en}}</ref> One year later, the plant started to produce the [[Volkswagen Type 2|Kombi]] model—370 cars at that time, with a 50 per cent local content component share. Of 81 million vehicles produced over six decades in Brazil, 23 million of it was built by Volkswagen, which was produced by four passenger car factories in the country. In 2018, Volkswagen accounted for close on 15 per cent of the Brazilian car market.<ref name="brazil comeback">{{Cite web|title=Great comeback in Brazil|url=https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/stories/great-comeback-in-brazil-4608|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Volkswagen Newsroom|language=en|archive-date=3 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903074408/https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/stories/great-comeback-in-brazil-4608}}</ref>

The importance of the Brazilian market gave birth to several models developed and manufactured by [[Volkswagen do Brasil]], which include the [[Volkswagen Fox|Fox]], [[Volkswagen Gol|Gol]], [[Volkswagen Nivus|Nivus]], [[Volkswagen Gol#Saveiro|Saveiro]], [[Volkswagen Virtus|Virtus]] and [[Volkswagen Gol#Voyage|Voyage]]. These models are also typically exported throughout Latin America. Historical vehicles built for the market include the [[Volkswagen Brasília|Brasília]], [[Volkswagen SP2|SP1 & SP2]], [[Volkswagen Type 3#Brazilian Type 3|1500/Variant/Variant II]], [[Volkswagen Karmann Ghia#Karmann Ghia TC|Karmann Ghia TC]], [[Volkswagen Parati|Parati]] and [[Volkswagen Suran|Suran]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Redzepovic|first=Alen|date=3 December 2019|title=Meet the amazing Volkswagens from Brazil|url=https://drivetribe.com/p/meet-the-amazing-volkswagens-from-LARUCaQVQN6UaLOTKppz5A|access-date=12 September 2020|website=DriveTribe|language=en|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807035554/https://drivetribe.com/p/meet-the-amazing-volkswagens-from-LARUCaQVQN6UaLOTKppz5A}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=22 May 2018|title=Volkswagen Models You Never Knew Existed|url=https://carbuzz.com/features/10-volkswagen-models-you-never-knew-existed|access-date=12 September 2020|website=CarBuzz|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Here are the best parallel-dimension VW models built in Brazil|url=https://www.carsguide.com.au/oversteer/here-are-the-best-parallel-dimension-vw-models-built-in-brazil-70281|access-date=12 September 2020|website=CarsGuide|language=en}}</ref> The Gol, first launched in 1980, was the best-selling car in the country for 27 consecutive years, up until 2013.<ref name="stray brazil"/><ref name="brazil comeback" />{{clear}}

=== Environment-friendly vehicles ===

====Pure ethanol vehicles====
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F053242-0034, Hannover, Messe.jpg|thumb|right| VW pure [[ethanol fuel|ethanol]] prototype car developed by [[Volkswagen do Brasil]] in 1978]]

[[Volkswagen do Brasil]] produced and sold pure ethanol-powered ([[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E100|E100 only]]) vehicles in Brazil, and production was discontinued only after they were supplanted by more modern [[flexible-fuel vehicle|Flex Fuel]] technology. As a response to the [[1973 oil crisis]], the Brazilian government began promoting bioethanol as a fuel, and the [[Pro-Álcool|National Alcohol Program]] -''Pró-Álcool''- ({{langx|pt|Programa Nacional do Álcool}}) was launched in 1975.<ref name="Bastos">{{cite web|url=http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=534 |author=Milton Briquet Bastos |title=Brazil's Ethanol Program – An Insider's View |work=Energy Tribune |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=14 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710193215/http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=534 |archive-date=10 July 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Veja1979" /><ref name="SeatleT" /> Compelled by the [[1979 energy crisis]], and after development and testing with government fleets by the [[Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology|CTA]] at [[São José dos Campos]], and further testing of several prototypes developed by the four local carmakers, including Volkswagen do Brasil, pure ethanol vehicles were launched in the Brazilian market.<ref name="Bastos" /><ref name="Veja1979">{{cite web |url=http://veja.abril.com.br/idade/exclusivo/petroleo/130679.html |title=O petróleo da cana |author=Revista Veja |publisher=[[Editora Abril]] |date=13 June 1979 |access-date=29 November 2008 |language=pt |author-link=Revista Veja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006165850/http://veja.abril.com.br/idade/exclusivo/petroleo/130679.html |archive-date=6 October 2008 }}</ref> Petrol engines were modified to support [[hydrous]] ethanol characteristics and changes included [[compression ratio]], amount of fuel injected, replacement of materials that would get corroded by contact with ethanol, use of colder [[spark plugs]] suitable for dissipating heat due to higher flame temperatures, and an auxiliary cold-start system that injects petrol from a small tank in the engine compartment to help starting when cold. Within six years, around 75% of all Brazilian passenger cars were manufactured with ethanol engines.<ref name="Bastos" /><ref name="Lemos">{{cite web | url=http://www.icis.com/Articles/2007/02/12/4500680/the-brazilian-ethanol-model.html | author=William Lemos | title=The Brazilian ethanol model | publisher=ICIS news | date=5 February 2007 | access-date=14 August 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009164617/http://www.icis.com/Articles/2007/02/12/4500680/the-brazilian-ethanol-model.html | archive-date=9 October 2008 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Production and sales of pure ethanol vehicles tumbled beginning in 1987 owing to several factors, including a sharp decline in petrol prices as a result of the [[1980s oil glut]], and high sugar prices in the world market, shifting sugarcane ethanol production from fuel to sugar. By mid-1989, a shortage of ethanol fuel supply in the local market left thousands of vehicles in line at petrol stations or out of fuel in their garages, forcing consumers to abandon ethanol vehicles.<ref name="SeatleT">{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002339093_brazilfuel17.html |work=The Seattle Times |title=Brazil's ethanol effort helping lead to oil self-sufficiency |author=Marla Dickerson |date=17 June 2005 |access-date=29 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227203948/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002339093_brazilfuel17.html |archive-date=27 December 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Veja1989">{{cite web|url=http://veja.abril.com.br/arquivo_veja/capa_24051989.shtml |title=Um sonho corroído |author=Revista Veja |publisher=[[Editora Abril]] |date=24 May 1989 |access-date=29 November 2008 |language=pt |author-link=Revista Veja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208192704/http://veja.abril.com.br/arquivo_veja/capa_24051989.shtml |archive-date=8 February 2009 }}</ref>

====Flexible-fuel vehicles====
[[File:Brazilian 2003 VW Gol 1.6 Total Flex.jpg|thumb|right|Volkswagen Gol Total Flex]]

The 2003 [[Volkswagen Gol|VW Gol 1.6 Total Flex]] was the first full flexible-fuel vehicle launched in Brazil, capable of running on any blend of petrol and [[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E100|E100]]. In March of that year, on its fiftieth anniversary, [[Volkswagen do Brasil]] launched in the local market the [[Volkswagen Gol|Gol]] 1.6 Total Flex, the first Brazilian commercial [[flexible fuel vehicle]] capable of running on any mix of [[E20 fuel|E20-E25]] petrol and up to 100% [[hydrous]] ethanol fuel ([[Common ethanol fuel mixtures#E100|E100]]).<ref name="SusEthanol">{{Cite book|author1=Goettemoeller, Jeffrey |author2=Adrian Goettemoeller | title = Sustainable Ethanol: Biofuels, Biorefineries, Cellulosic Biomass, Flex-Fuel Vehicles, and Sustainable Farming for Energy Independence | year = 2007| publisher=Prairie Oak Publishing, Maryville, Missouri |pages=56–61 | isbn=978-0-9786293-0-4}}</ref><ref name="autonews.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060323/REUTERS/60323043/1111 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213023830/http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060323%2FREUTERS%2F60323043%2F1111 |archive-date=13 February 2009 |title=Volkswagen to stop making gas-only cars for Brazil |newspaper=Automotive News |date=23 March 2006 |access-date=18 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vwbr.com.br/VWBrasil/Historia/A-nova-Volkswagen.aspx |title=A Nova Volkswagen |publisher=Volkswagen do Brasil |access-date=18 October 2008 |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915184129/http://www.vwbr.com.br/VWBrasil/Historia/A-nova-Volkswagen.aspx <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=15 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parana-online.com.br/canal/automoveis/news/170341/ |title=Volkswagen lança Golf Total Flex 1.6 |work=Paraná Online |publisher=ParanaOnline |date=30 March 2006 |access-date=18 October 2008 |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522121038/http://www.parana-online.com.br/canal/automoveis/news/170341/ |archive-date=22 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the pure ethanol fiasco, consumer confidence in ethanol-powered vehicles was restored, allowing the rapid adoption of the flex technology. This was facilitated by the fuel distribution infrastructure already in place throughout Brazil, with more than 30 thousand fueling stations, a heritage of the ''Pró-Álcool'' program<ref name="BRgas08">{{cite web|url=http://www.gazeta.com.br/GZM_News.aspx?Parms=2108086,604,1 |title=Margem estreita não intimida pequenas |publisher=Gazeta Mercantil |author=Roberta Scrivano |date=7 October 2008 |access-date=26 November 2008 |language=pt }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Owing to the success and rapid consumer acceptance of the flex-fuel versions, by 2005 VW had sold 293,523 flex-fuel cars and light-duty trucks, and only 53,074 petrol-only automobiles,<ref name="ANFAVEA05">{{cite web|url=http://www.anfavea.com.br/tabelas2005/autoveiculos/tabela08_vendas.pdf|title=Tabela 08 – Vendas Atacado Mercado Interno por Tipo e Empresa – Combustível Flex Fuel – 2005|publisher=ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brazil)|access-date=16 April 2009|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120082957/http://www.anfavea.com.br/tabelas2005/autoveiculos/tabela08_vendas.pdf|archive-date=20 November 2008}} ''See Table 08 for flex-fuel sales and Table 07 for gasoline sales''.</ref> jumping to 525,838 flex-fuel vehicles and only 13,572 petrol-only cars and 248 petrol-only light trucks in 2007,<ref name="ANFAVEA07">{{cite web|url=http://www.anfavea.com.br/tabelas2007/autoveiculos/tabela08_vendas.pdf|title=Tabela 08 – Vendas Atacado Mercado Interno por Tipo e Empresa – Combustível Flex Fuel – 2007|publisher=ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brazil)|access-date=16 April 2009|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120041043/http://www.anfavea.com.br/tabelas2007/autoveiculos/tabela08_vendas.pdf|archive-date=20 November 2008}} ''See Table 08 for flex-fuel sales and Table 07 for gasoline sales''.</ref> and reaching new car sales of 564,959 flex-fuel vehicles in 2008, representing 96% of all new cars and light-duty trucks sold in that year.<ref name="ANFAVEA08">{{cite web|url=http://www.anfavea.com.br/tabelas2008/autoveiculos/tabela08_vendas.pdf|title=Tabela 08 – Vendas Atacado Mercado Interno por Tipo e Empresa – Combustível Flex Fuel – 2008|publisher=ANFAVEA – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (Brazil)|access-date=16 April 2009|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706150754/http://www.anfavea.com.br/tabelas2008/autoveiculos/tabela08_vendas.pdf|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=live}} ''See Table 08''.</ref> VW do Brasil stopped manufacturing petrol-only vehicles models for the local market in 2006,<ref name="autonews.com" /> and all of the remaining petrol-only Volkswagen models sold in Brazil are imported. The flex-fuel models currently produced for the local market are the Gol, Fox, CrossFox, Parati, Polo Hatch, Polo Sedan, Saveiro, Golf, and Kombi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norpave.com.br/site/index.php?modulo=detalhe_noticia&id=24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328224058/https://www.norpave.com.br/site/index.php?modulo=detalhe_noticia&id=24 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |title=VW completa 55 anos como maior montadora do País |publisher=Norpave VW |date=25 March 2008 |access-date=18 April 2009 |language=pt}}</ref> By March 2009, Volkswagen do Brasil had attained the milestone mark of two million flex-fuel vehicles produced since 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://autobrasil.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/vw-dois-milhoes-de-carros-flex/|title=VW: dois milhões de carros flex|publisher=Auto Brasil|date=25 March 2009|access-date=19 April 2009|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329062920/http://autobrasil.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/vw-dois-milhoes-de-carros-flex/|archive-date=29 March 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.noticiasautomotivas.com.br/volkswagen-atinge-2-milhoes-de-carros-flex-produzidos-no-brasil/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906165905/http://www.noticiasautomotivas.com.br/volkswagen-atinge-2-milhoes-de-carros-flex-produzidos-no-brasil/ |archive-date=6 September 2012 |title=Volkswagen atinge 2 milhões de carros Flex produzidos no Brasil |work=Notícias Automotivas |publisher=Noticias Automotivas |date=24 March 2009 |access-date=18 April 2009 |language=pt }}</ref>

====Hybrid vehicles====
[[File:VW Jetta Hybrid WAS 2012 0710.JPG|thumb|The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid gets {{Convert|48|mpgus|km/L|1|abbr=on}} on highway.]]

Volkswagen and [[Sanyo]] have teamed up to develop a battery system for [[hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid cars]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/02/03/209275.html |title=Volkswagen and Sanyo Team Up To Develop Hybrid Battery Systems |publisher=Theautochannel.com |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912073859/http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/02/03/209275.html |archive-date=12 September 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Volkswagen head [[Martin Winterkorn]] has confirmed the company plans to build compact hybrid electric vehicles. He has stated "There will definitely be compact hybrid models, such as [[Volkswagen Polo|Polo]] and [[Volkswagen Golf|Golf]], and without any great delay", with petrol and [[diesel engine|diesel]] power. For example, the Golf is the ideal model to go hybrid, as the Golf 1.4 TSI was recently awarded the "Auto Environment Certificate" by the Oko-Trend Institute for Environmental Research, and was considered one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles of 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.green-hybrid-cars.com/volkswagen-hybrid.html |title="Volkswagen Hybrid: Runaway Winner". Eco-Friendly Hybrid Cars, 2 May 2008 |publisher=Green-hybrid-cars.com |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306063534/http://green-hybrid-cars.com/volkswagen-hybrid.html |archive-date=6 March 2009 }}</ref> Also underway at Volkswagen's [[Braunschweig]] [[Research and development|R&D]] facilities in Northern Germany is a hybrid version of the next-generation [[Volkswagen Touareg|Touareg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=119559 |title=Compact Hybrid Coming From Volkswagen |publisher=Edmunds.com |date=22 January 2009 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217073817/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId%3D119559 |archive-date=17 February 2009 }}</ref>

VW intends all future models to have the hybrid option. "Future VW models will fundamentally also be constructed with hybrid concepts," VW head of development Ulrich Hackenberg told ''Automobilwoche'' in an interview. Hackenberg mentioned that the car based on the [[Volkswagen up!|Up!]] concept seen at [[Frankfurt Motor Show]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122568 |title=2007 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volkswagen Up! |publisher=Edmunds.com |date=11 September 2007 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301021345/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId%3D122568 |archive-date=1 March 2009 }}</ref> as well as all future models, could be offered with either full or partial hybrid options. The rear-engine up! will go into production in 2011. Nothing has been said about [[plug-in hybrid]] options.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/09/24/report-all-volkswagen-models-to-have-hybrid-option/ |title=Report: All Volkswagen models to have hybrid option |publisher=eGMCarTech |date=24 September 2007 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429001822/http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/09/24/report-all-volkswagen-models-to-have-hybrid-option/ |archive-date=29 April 2011 }}</ref>

Volkswagen announced at the [[Geneva Motor Show#010|2010 Geneva Motor Show]] the launch of the 2012 [[Volkswagen Touareg#Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid (2009)|Touareg Hybrid]], scheduled for 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/geneva-auto-show-2011-vw-touareg-and-2012-touareg-hybrid/?scp=1&sq=2011%20Volkswagen%20Touareg%20Hybrid&st=cse|title=Geneva Auto Show: 2011 VW Touareg and 2012 Touareg Hybrid|author=Nick Kurczewski|work=The New York Times|date=5 March 2010|access-date=26 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720075803/http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/geneva-auto-show-2011-vw-touareg-and-2012-touareg-hybrid/?scp=1&sq=2011%20Volkswagen%20Touareg%20Hybrid&st=cse|archive-date=20 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1003_2011_volkswagen_touareg_hybrid_drive/index.html|title=First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg|author=Scott Evans|magazine=[[Motor Trend]]|date=March 2010|access-date=26 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322191600/http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1003_2011_volkswagen_touareg_hybrid_drive/index.html|archive-date=22 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> VW also announced plans to introduce [[diesel fuel|diesel]]-electric hybrid versions of its most popular models in 2012, beginning with the new [[Volkswagen Jetta|Jetta]], followed by the [[Volkswagen Golf|Golf Hybrid]] in 2013 together with hybrid versions of the [[Volkswagen Polo|Passat]].<ref name=Parkers>{{cite web|url=http://www.parkers.co.uk/News/News/VW-hybridelectric-cars/ |title=VW to launch hybrid Jetta in 2012 |publisher=Parker's |access-date=26 March 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114061853/http://www.parkers.co.uk/News/News/VW-hybridelectric-cars/ |archive-date=14 January 2013 }}</ref><ref name=AECs>{{cite web|url=http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1043442_vw-to-focus-on-several-electric-and-hybrid-vehicle-launches-including-golf-jetta-passat-and-more |title=VW To Focus on Several Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Launches Including Golf, Jetta, Passat and More |author=Motor Authority|publisher=All Cars Electric|date=17 March 2010|access-date=26 March 2010}}</ref> In 2012, the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid set the world record to become the fastest hybrid car at {{convert|187|mph|abbr=on}}.

====Plug-in electric vehicles====

In November 2009, Volkswagen announced it has hired Karl-Thomas Neumann as its group chief officer for [[electric traction]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6605889/news/volkswagen-hires-new-electric-vehicle-chief/index.html |title=Volkswagen Hires New Electric Vehicle Chief – Automotive News & Car Rumors at Automobile Magazine |publisher=Rumors.automobilemag.com |date=12 November 2009 |access-date=22 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114153307/http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6605889/news/volkswagen-hires-new-electric-vehicle-chief/index.html |archive-date=14 January 2010 }}</ref> VW's Chief of research, Jürgen Leohold, said in 2010 the company has concluded [[fuel-cell vehicle|hydrogen fuel-cell cars]] are not a viable option.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/876.html |title=Audi's PHEV Concept; Volkswagen Research Chief Criticizes Fuel Cells |publisher=Calcars.org |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919130451/http://calcars.org/calcars-news/876.html |archive-date=19 September 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswagen-Concepts/229005/ |title=Fuel cell cars won't save the world |work=Autocar |date=6 November 2007 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206050703/http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswagen-Concepts/229005/ |archive-date=6 December 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:Black VW Golf GTE charging fl, Amsterdam (20150224 102438).jpg|thumb|[[Volkswagen Golf GTE]] [[plug-in hybrid]] charging]]

{{As of|2016|05}} The [[Volkswagen Group]] offers retail customers nine [[plug-in electric car]]s, of which three are [[all-electric car]]s: the [[Volkswagen e-Up!]], [[Volkswagen e-Golf|e-Golf]] and [[Audi R8 e-tron]], and six are [[plug-in hybrid]]s: the [[Volkswagen Golf GTE]], [[Volkswagen Passat GTE|Passat GTE]], [[Audi A3 Sportback e-tron]], [[Audi Q7 e-tron|Q7 e-tron quattro]], [[Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid]] and [[Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid|Cayenne S E-Hybrid]].<ref name=VWPEVs>{{cite news | url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20160529/OEM05/305309985/vw-goal:-1-million-electrified-vehicles-by-2025 | title=VW goal: 1 million electrified vehicles by 2025 | first=Christiaan | last= Hetzner | work=[[Automotive News]] | date=29 May 2016 | access-date=29 May 2016}}</ref> Also, two limited-production plug-in hybrids were manufactured beginning in 2013, the [[Volkswagen XL1]] (250 units) and the [[Porsche 918 Spyder]] (918 units).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.automobilwoche.de/article/20131009/NACHRICHTEN/131009943/vergabe-der-kleinstserie-vw-lenkt-xl-1-fans-auf-zielgerade|title=Vergabe der Kleinstserie: VW lenkt XL-1-Fans auf Zielgerade|language=de|trans-title=Allocation of micro series: VW XL1 draws fans to finish line|author=Henning Kroghhkrogh|work=Automobilwoche|date=9 October 2013|access-date=26 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185025/http://www.automobilwoche.de/article/20131009/NACHRICHTEN/131009943/vergabe-der-kleinstserie-vw-lenkt-xl-1-fans-auf-zielgerade|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/2014-porsche-918-spyder-deep-dive-review/ |title=2014 Porsche 918 Spyder |author=Michael Harley |publisher=[[Autoblog.com]] |date=1 October 2012 |access-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005115349/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/01/2014-porsche-918-spyder-deep-dive-review/ |archive-date=5 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Total cumulative sales of all Volkswagen brand [[electric vehicle|electrified cars]] since the start of their respective production is expected to reach about 103,000 by the end of 2016.<ref name=VWPEVs/> The [[Volkswagen ID.4]] was launched in the U.S. in September 2020.

In order to comply with increasingly strict [[Greenhouse gas emissions|carbon dioxide emission]] limits in major markets, the VW Group expects to sell about one million all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles a year worldwide by 2025. The Group plans to expand its plug-in range with 20 new pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars, including two cars to compete with [[Tesla, Inc.]], the [[Porsche Mission E]] all-electric car and the [[Audi e-tron (2018)|Audi e-tron]] quattro, which is expected to become the brand's first mass-production electric vehicle. According to Thomas Ulbrich, VW brand production chief, the carmaker has the capacity to build as many as 75,000 battery-electric and plug-in hybrids a year if demand rises. Volkswagen announced in October 2015 that "it will develop a modular architecture for battery-electric cars, called the [[Volkswagen Group MEB platform|MEB]]. The standardised system will be designed for all body structures and vehicle types and will allow the company to build emotionally appealing EVs with a range of up to {{convert|310|mi|abbr=on}}."<ref name=VWPEVs/> In June 2016, VW launched a program to develop 30 all-electric cars in 10 years and sell 2–3&nbsp;million electric cars per year by 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/news/2016/06/2025.html |title=News|access-date=20 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621062535/http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/news/2016/06/2025.html |archive-date=21 June 2016 }}</ref> Due to lower manpower requirements for electric motors than for piston engines, VW expects a gradual workforce reduction as the number of electric cars increase.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-jobs-idUSKCN12S1QP|title=VW HR chief says expects five-digit number of job cuts: FAZ|date=29 October 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101191653/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-jobs-idUSKCN12S1QP|archive-date=1 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/neue-mobilitaet/vw-personalchef-elektromobilitaet-wird-zehntausende-jobs-kosten-14502483.html|title=VW-Personalchef: Elektromobilität wird Zehntausende Jobs kosten|date=28 October 2016|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031214937/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/neue-mobilitaet/vw-personalchef-elektromobilitaet-wird-zehntausende-jobs-kosten-14502483.html|archive-date=31 October 2016|url-status=live|last1=Germis|first1=Carsten}}</ref> VW considers battery factory ownership as too expensive.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/neue-mobilitaet/osterloh-besteht-auf-bau-einer-batteriefabrik-14486729.html|title=Osterloh besteht auf Bau einer Batteriefabrik|date=18 October 2016|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103235035/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/neue-mobilitaet/osterloh-besteht-auf-bau-einer-batteriefabrik-14486729.html|archive-date=3 November 2016|url-status=live|last1=Germis|first1=Carsten}}</ref>

=== Flying vehicles ===
In February 2021, Volkswagen issued a statement that "vertical mobility" could be the next step after self-driving technology. It announced that the company is exploring the feasibility of flying vehicles in [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/09/business/volkswagen-flying-vehicles/index.html|title=Volkswagen is exploring flying vehicles in China|date=9 February 2021 }}</ref>

==Awards==

[[File:VW take up! 1.0 – Frontansicht, 25. Februar 2012, Düsseldorf.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Volkswagen up!]] won the 2012 World Car of the Year.]]

Volkswagen was named the fourth most influential car of the 20th century in the 1999 [[Car of the Century]] competition, for its [[Volkswagen Beetle|Volkswagen Type 1 "Beetle" model]]. It trailed only the [[Ford Model T]], BMC [[Mini]], and [[Citroën DS]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/24/automobiles/this-just-in-model-t-gets-award.html|title=This Just In: Model T Gets Award|first=James G.|last=Cobb|date=24 December 1999|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816000228/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/24/automobiles/this-just-in-model-t-gets-award.html|archive-date=16 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Volkswagen has produced four winners of the 60-year-old [[European Car of the Year]] award.

{{unbulleted list|1992 – [[Volkswagen Golf]]|2010 – [[Volkswagen Polo]]|2013 – [[Volkswagen Golf]]|2015 – [[Volkswagen Passat]]}}

Volkswagen has produced five winners of the United States [[Motor Trend Car of the Year]] award&nbsp;– the original [[Car of the Year]] designation, which began in 1949.

{{unbulleted list|1985 – [[Volkswagen Golf|Volkswagen GTI]]|1999 – [[Volkswagen New Beetle]] (Import COTY subgroup)|2004 – [[Volkswagen Touareg]] ([[Sport Utility Vehicle]] COTY subgroup)|2012 – [[Volkswagen Passat]]|2015 – [[Volkswagen Golf#Seventh generation (Mk7, Typ 5G; 2012)|Volkswagen Golf line-up]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/11/20141113-golf.html|title=Volkswagen Golf family named '2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year'|author=Mike Millikin|publisher=Green Car Congress|date=13 November 2014|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117120041/http://www.greencarcongress.com/2014/11/20141113-golf.html|archive-date=17 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Volkswagen has already produced five winners of the recently developed [[World Car of the Year]] award.

{{unbulleted list|2009 – [[Volkswagen Golf]]|2010 – [[Volkswagen Polo]]|2012 – [[Volkswagen up!]]|2013 – [[Volkswagen Golf]]|2021 – [[Volkswagen ID.4]]}}

==Motorsport==
{{main|Volkswagen Motorsport}}

===Formula racing===

* In 1963, [[Formula Vee]] circuit racing, with cars built from easily available [[Volkswagen Beetle#Power|Beetle]] parts, started in the United States. It quickly spread to Europe and other parts of the world. It proved very popular as a low-cost route into [[formula racing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formulaveesa.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=62 |title=South African Formula Vee History |publisher=Formulaveesa.org.za |date=17 May 2009 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222041929/http://www.geeky.net/geeky.css |archive-date= 22 December 2005 }}</ref>
* In 1971, Volkswagen of America started the more powerful [[Formula Super Vee]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Lola Super Vee |last1 = Walton |first1 = Jeremy |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-1977/50/lola-supervee |website=MotorSport Magazine |publisher=MotorSport Archive |access-date=24 January 2019 |date = January 1977| location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416153136/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/january-1977/50/lola-supervee |archive-date=16 April 2015 |quote=SuperVee, which amounted to building a much more recognisable racing car, without the inclusion of so many standard VW parts, had its first Championship year in 1971, both America and Europe organising lucrative series with VW backing.}}</ref> which became famous for housing new talent.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} In the 11 years it ran, until 1982, it produced a stable of world-famous [[Formula One]] drivers—names like [[Niki Lauda]], [[Jochen Mass]], [[Nelson Piquet]], [[Jochen Rindt]] and [[Keke Rosberg]]. Volkswagen also notched up several victories, and the championship in [[Formula Three]].
* In July 2011 [[Wolfgang Dürheimer]] told German magazine ''[[Auto, Motor und Sport]]'' that "if [the VW group] is at the forefront of the auto industry, I can imagine us competing in Formula 1 in 2018. We have enough brands to pull it off."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Brett |title=Volkswagen in Formula 1 by 2018? |url=https://www.drive.com.au/news/volkswagen-in-formula-1-by-2018/ |website=Drive |access-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620230833/https://www.drive.com.au/news/volkswagen-in-formula-1-by-2018/ |archive-date=20 June 2022 |location=Australia |date=1 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gitlin |first1=Jonathan M. |title=Porsche and Audi are both going to enter Formula 1 in 2026 |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/05/volkswagen-group-ceo-confirms-porsche-and-audi-are-going-to-f1/ |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Advance Publications |access-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502170931/https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/05/volkswagen-group-ceo-confirms-porsche-and-audi-are-going-to-f1/ |archive-date=2 May 2022 |date=2 May 2022 |quote="VW Group to F1" rumors have circulated for years, but now it's true.}}</ref> They did not compete in F1 in 2018.
* In August 2022, Volkswagen Audi Group confirmed entry into Formula 1 due to start in the 2026 season.  Initially partnered with Sauber F1 team but have now decided to take full control of the Sauber team at will use the Audi name.

===World Rally Championship===
* In 1981, now based in [[Hanover]], VW took a new direction into rallying with the launch of the first-generation Golf, Sweden's [[Per Eklund]], Frenchman [[Jean-Luc Thérier]], and the Finn [[Pentti Airikkala]]. The final chapters in Volkswagen Racing UK's rallying story were the 'one-make' [[Castrol]] Polo Challenge, and the Polo GTI 'Super 1600' in 2001.
* Volkswagen Motorsport won the [[World Rally Championship]] with [[Sébastien Ogier]] and co-driver [[Julien Ingrassia]] four consecutive tears (2013 to 2016) in the [[Volkswagen Polo R WRC]].

===Dakar Rally===
* In 1980, Volkswagen competed with the Audi-developed [[Volkswagen Iltis|Iltis]], placing 1st, 2nd, 4th and 9th overall.
* In 2003, the Hanover-based team entered with a 2WD buggy named Tarek, finishing 6th overall and 1st in the 2WD and Diesel class. 
* In 2005, an updated Race-Touareg with slightly more power entered, with driver [[Bruno Saby]] finishing 3rd overall and 1st in the Diesel class. 
* In 2006, the revised Race-Touareg entered, with driver [[Giniel de Villiers]] finishing 2nd overall and 1st in the Diesel class. 
* Volkswagen won the [[2009 Dakar Rally|2009]], [[2010 Dakar Rally|2010]] and [[2011 Dakar Rally]], held in South America.

===Volkswagen motorsport worldwide===
* Europe: In 1998, the company founded the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup (renamed Polo Cup in 2003 and [[Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup]] from 2010 to 2014), and started the ADAC [[Volkswagen New Beetle|New Beetle]] Cup in 2000. In 2004, [[Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles]] entered the [[European Truck Racing]] series with the Volkswagen Titan truck&nbsp;– it became a back-to-back champion for the 2004 and 2005 series.
* United States: In 1976, Volkswagen entered the under-2000-cc [[Trans-Am Series]] with the Scirocco, and they won their class outright.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/europlus/77sciroccotransam.jpg |title=Scirocco Trans Am Article/Advert |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304031436/http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/europlus/77sciroccotransam.jpg |archive-date=4 March 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning in 2008, Volkswagen introduced the Jetta TDI Cup. The Jetta TDI Cup is an SCCA-sanctioned race series that features 25 drivers between the ages of 16 and 26 driving slightly modified 2009 Jetta TDIs. The series features 10 events at 8 different road courses across North America. There is $50,000 prize money at stake over the course of the series in addition to the $100,000 prize awarded to the champion of the series at the conclusion of the last race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vw.com/vwbuzz/browse/en/us/detail/Twenty_two_drivers_qualify_for_2010_Volkswagen_Jetta_TDI_Cup_final_driver_selection_event/339 |title=Twenty two drivers qualify for 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup final driver selection event |website=VW.com |access-date=22 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826224542/http://www.vw.com/vwbuzz/browse/en/us/detail/Twenty_two_drivers_qualify_for_2010_Volkswagen_Jetta_TDI_Cup_final_driver_selection_event/339 |archive-date=26 August 2010 }}</ref>
* Argentina: Many Volkswagen models have competed in [[TC 2000]], including the 1980 to 1983 champion [[Hillman Avenger#Argentina|Volkswagen 1500]] and the 1994 champion [[Volkswagen Gol]].
* In 1999 and 2000, VW won the F2 Australian Rally Championship with the Golf GTI.
* Finland: In 2002, VW won the [[Finnish Rally Championship]] in a7/(F2) with a Golf Mk4 KitCar, with [[Mikko Hirvonen]]. In 1999 and 2000, VW won the Finnish Rally Championship in a7/(F2) with a Golf Mk3 KitCar. In 2000, 2001 and 2002, VW won the Finnish Racing Championship in Sport 2000 with a Golf Mk4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sport 2000 Tour 2000 standings |url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/finnish-touring-car-championship/2000/ |website=Driver Database |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sport 2000 Tour 2001 standings |url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/finnish-touring-car-championship/2001/ |website=Driver Database |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sport 2000 Tour 2002 standings |url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/standings/finnish-touring-car-championship/2002/ |website=Driver Database |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref>
* Austria: From 1967 until 1974, the Austrian sole distributor [[Porsche Salzburg]] entered the [[VW Beetle]] (1500, 1302S and 1303S) in Europe-wide rallies. Victories were achieved in 1972 and 1973 in the overall Austrian championship, on Elba, in the Acropolis rally (first in class). Top drivers were [[Tony Fall]] (GB), [[Achim Warmbold]] (D), Günter Janger (A), [[Harry Källström]] (S).

== Literature ==
* Jonas Kiefer: ''VW Typenatlas, Serienfahrzeuge.'' 2. Auflage. Delius Klasing, Bielefeld 2002, {{ISBN|3-7688-1271-5}}.
* Rudi Heppe: ''VW Personenwagen.'' Podszun, Brilon 2001, {{ISBN|3-86133-209-4}}.
* Halwart Schrader: ''VW Personenwagen seit 1945, Band 1, Typenkompass.'' Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, {{ISBN|3-613-02105-6}}.
* Halwart Schrader: ''VW Personenwagen seit 1945, Band 2, Typenkompass.'' Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, {{ISBN|3-613-02186-2}}.
* Werner Oswald: ''Deutsche Autos, Band 2, 1920–1945.'' 2. Auflage. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2005, {{ISBN|3-613-02170-6}}.
* Werner Oswald: ''Deutsche Autos, Band 3, 1945–1990, Ford, Opel und Volkswagen.'' 1. Auflage. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, {{ISBN|3-613-02116-1}}.

== Football ==
Volkswagen is the owner of the [[Bundesliga]] club [[VfL Wolfsburg|Wolfsburg]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Volkswagen, E-sport, Magath... 5 choses à savoir sur Wolfsbourg |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/football/ligue-des-champions/actualites/volkswagen-e-sport-magath-5-chsoes-a-savoir-sur-wolfsbourg-799398 |website=le figaro |date=6 April 2016 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Germany|Cars|Companies}}
* [[Baja bug]]
* [[Cal Look]]
* [[List of German cars]]
* [[List of automobile manufacturers]]
* [[Punch buggy]]
* [[Standard Superior]]&nbsp;– a previous attempt to produce a "Volkswagen"
* [[Steyr 50]]
* [[VDub]]&nbsp;– tagline for the recent VWoA Golf GTI TV advertisement
* [[Volksflugzeug]]
* [[Volksrod]]
* [[Volkswagen advertising]]
* [[VW 276 Schlepperfahrzeug]], military use 1944
* [[Volkswagen controversies]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=Note|colwidth=60em}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Stehr>{{cite news
| url=http://www.spiegel.de/einestages/apple-starbucks-coca-cola-vw-firmenlogos-und-ihre-geschichte-a-1073926.html
| work=[[Der Spiegel]]
| title=Das machen wir mal lieber neu
| author=Christoph Stehr
| date=2 February 2016
| access-date=7 February 2016
| language=de
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207070212/http://www.spiegel.de/einestages/apple-starbucks-coca-cola-vw-firmenlogos-und-ihre-geschichte-a-1073926.html
| archive-date=7 February 2016
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
}}

== Further reading ==
* William Shirer, ''The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (50th Anniversary Edition)'' (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990)
* Andrea Hiott, ''Thinking Small'' (New York: Ballantine Books, 2012)

==External links==
{{Commons category}}<!-- This Volkswagen brand vehicles company has its own category here. If you would like to add other Volkswagen brands, please add them to the Category:Volkswagen Group instead. Thank you. -->
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180306133229/http://www.volkswagen.com/ Volkswagen.com] Volkswagen Cars Worldwide portal
* [http://www.volkswagen-classic.de/ Volkswagen Classic] {{in lang|de}}
* [http://www.thecaryoudrive.com/en/02175a425 Volkswagen Cars Technical Information]

* [https://www.allaircooled.com/history.html Air-cooled Volkswagen History]

{{Volkswagen Group brands}}
{{Volkswagen}}
{{Volkswagen (Europe) timeline 1980 to date}}
{{Volkswagen (North America) timeline 1980 to date}}
{{Volkswagen (South America) timeline 1980 to date}}
{{Automotive industry in Germany}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Volkswagen vehicles| ]]
[[Category:Volkswagen Group]]
[[Category:Car brands]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers of Germany]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1937]]
[[Category:Companies based in Lower Saxony]]
[[Category:German brands]]
[[Category:Ig Nobel laureates]]
[[Category:Wolfsburg]]
[[Category:German companies established in 1937]]