A summary of Volkswagen and their models

Volkswagen, providing the public with a practical yet affordable vehicle for everyday needs.

The design of these everyday cars was set to directly contrast the luxury and expensive models which up until 1937 were the only option for people who wanted to buy a car.

The first Volkswagen design was actually created by renowned designer Ferdinand Porsche, with the development of the chassis being carried out by Erwin Komenda. This model was designed using wind tunnels and due to this procedure the famous Beetle was born.

Before 1939, only a handful of cars were being produced due to slow sales; however, in 1946 the Volkswagen factory was manufacturing approximately 1,000 cars a month. This number is even more startling when you consider the company had strict post-war production guidelines and their factory was in disrepair due to damage, which was caused during the war.

During this period some of the most significant VW models were developed, including the 1949 Volkswagen Sedan, the Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle, the 1958 Volkswagen Pickup truck, the 1300 Deluxe of 1966 and of course the 1967 VW Beetle.

In fact, during the fifties sales of the Beetle were unrivalled and then in the seventies Volkswagen sold a massive 15, 007, 034 Beetles. This success made the model the most-produced road car ever manufactured and even more popular than the Model T Ford.

During 1974 one model was met with worldwide critical acclaim, helping to secure the company's future. This was the Volkswagen Golf, which became a revolutionary model due to the fact that it was one of the first front engine and front-wheel drive hatchbacks. Since then, this format has been adopted by other car manufacturers and it can even be said that this format now dominates the industry.

Two decades on Volkswagen then launched the third generation Golf, which won the European Car of the Year in 1992.

Then during 1994 the new Volkswagen Beetle was released, which was manufactured to have a 'retro' design. However, the volume of positive feedback from critics and car enthusiasts led to a production model being produced later that year.

The company then took steps to make their vehicles even more efficient by limiting their use of diesel and by manufacturing new propulsion methods that had even greater fuel efficiency.

More recently, in 2004 a survey by the United States Environmental Protection Agency revealed that out of the top ten most fuel-efficient vehicles four in the US market were manufactured by Volkswagen. Many of these models are readily available at your local car showroom to buy or rent as part of a Volkswagen leasing contract.

These findings have lead to the manufacturing of the BlueMotion Volkswagen Polo, as well as new prototype designs for electric and hybrid vehicles.

The 100 percent electric Volkswagen E-Up! will produce zero emissions and Volkswagen plan to have it in production for 2013. There are also plans to develop hybrid versions of existing models, including the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI.

Based on reports from Volkswagen these types of decisions should make them the world's biggest car manufacturer by 2018, which should guarantee the future fate of the company.