Volkswagen (VW) is a German automotive brand established in 1937 in order to design and produce a car that was affordable to the common worker.

Ferdinand Porshce startet on the design for the "Auto für Jedermann" (Car for Everyone) in 1933. It should be able to travel at 100 km/h (62.5 mph), drive 100 kilometer on one (1) liter of gasoline (29.4 MPG), have seating for 4 adults / 2 adults and 3 children, and sell for less than 1000 Reichmark. This design led to the Volkswagen (Peoples Car) in 1938.

German invations of Poland in 1939 changed production at the factory from the Volkswagen to military vehicles such as the Kübelwagen utility vehicle and the amphibious Schwimmwagen.

After the end of World War II the Volkswagen factory was located in the British zone in Germany. The British major Ivan Hirst took an active interest in the factory and managed to get production of the Volkswagen restarted with orders from the British military and to avoid dismantling of the production facilities.

Volkswagens came to the US in 1949. The Type 2, the small van and pickup came to market in 1950. Protective tarifs by the US government ended import of the Volkswagen bus and truck in 1971. The Karman Ghia was sold from 1955-74.

The Passat, a mid-size sedan, came in 1973, the Golf/Rabbit, a compact hatchback, in 1974, the Polo, a subcompact hatchback, in 1975 and the Jetta, a compact sedan, in 1979. All were front wheel drive, had 4 cylinder engines, using technology from the VW sister company Audi. All the modesl are still being procduced, but have all grown in size.

VW is the largest brand in the Volkswagen Group.