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Adolf Hitler meets with Ferdinand Porsche
Adolf Hitler meets with Ferdinand Porsche to talk about the idea of the Volkswagon. -
First three prototypes are finished
Type 60 (first prototype) and V1 (experiment 1) and V2 (convertable) were finished and driving. -
VW3 Cars are put through testing
The V1 model was soon updated, producing 3 more cars known as the VW3 cars, which were put through testing. -
KdF factory production starts
The KdF production factory is being constructed along with the town that was to be the next factory in line. -
Cars are produced
A few VW38's and VW39's are produced to prove to the people that the factory is a working process and to show what the final car would look like. -
Hitler changes name of car to KdF
Hitler changes the name of the VW38's to KdF (Kraft durch Freude) meaning "Strength through Joy"
Porsche is upset at the name-change because he does not support Hitler's use of propaganda. -
VW is taken to court
VW printed stamps that, when 2oo were collected, could be traded in for a KdF car. Unfortunately, the KdF never made it past a demonstration model, so when enough stamps were collected and VW didn't follow through with the free car deal, people took it to court. -
Germany's "Jeep" in WWII
The KdF factory was producing Tpye 82's (Kuebelwagens), a simple military car which used the same parts as a KdF but had a flat body. -
WWII Water Car
The "Schwimmwagen" was produced to make traveling through water easier. -
Britain takes over
Britain destroys the KdF factories (mostly) then needs a way for light transportation so they take over and start to rebuild the factories. -
Re-Named
The British re-name the factories "Volkswagon", naming the town along with it "Wolfsberg" (the name of a castle). -
Company is German again!
The British finally surrender the company back to German hands. -
VW production increases
The VW Transporter is born! -
Exporting!
Volkswagons are exported to Denmark, Belgium, Sweeden, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. -
"Volkswagen Law"
Volkswagen grew into Europe's largest car manufacturer, and became a symbol of Germany's economic WW2. The Volkswagen Law changed VW to a joint stock corporation. Germany and Lower Saxony held 20 percent of the stocks. This limited the share of any stockholder to 20 percent and protected Volkswagon from a takeover. -
Law shot down
The European Court of Justice shot down the VW Law, saying it illegally restricted the freedom of capitol in European markets.
