Major Project: Culture and History

Volkswagen Heritage

1947 - The Dutch importer Ben Pon Sketches “the box on wheels” set to become the Transporter.

1949 - The general director of the Volkswagen factory, Heinrich Nordoff supports the production of the “sketch” and begins tests. The sketch was taken quite literally and the box on wheels undertook some refinements. The rounded front sections, which were then added to the square edged box created the friendly face of the Bulli, which went on, to become a familiar smile the world over.

1949 - The Prototype of the Transporter was unveiled in Wolfsburg. It was immediately christened the “Bulli”. On 12 November the VW Bulli was officially launched to a waiting automobile world.

1950 - Full production of the Transporter began (trademark law forbid the use of the name Bulli).

1954 - Bulli in all its various versions had secured its status as an essential feature of the road. The 100,000th Transporter was now cause for a celebration.

1956 - First Transporters roll off of the production line in the newly built factory in Hanover.

1962 - 1,000,000th Transporter left the production line in Hanover.

1967 - Transporter model is redesigned. It loses its smiling face and becomes the wide screen view T2 with a panorama windscreen.

1968 - 2,000,000th Transporter is built.

1975 - The first LT utility vehicle, a modern large Transporter is built at the factory. It opens a new chapter in the history of the company; it enables Volkswagen to make the courageous move into the light truck sector.

1979 - The T3 arrived and gave way to many technological advances such as diesel (1980) water-cooled engines (1982) and “syncro” four wheel drive (1985). Volkswagen (GB) Ltd takes over importership of MAN commercial vehicles.

1981 - Hanover Factory celebrates its 25th anniversary. Since its opening more then 5 million commercial vehicles had been produced there.

1983 - T3 water cooled.

1983 - The launch of the “Caravelle” now added a people carrier, offering all the comfort of a luxury car.

1985 - It is decided that the Volkswagen group will now be named Volkswagen AG.

1990 - The production of the fourth generation Transporter is commenced (T4). The Transporter celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since production commenced in 1950 6,000,000 have been produced in three generations.

1994 - The 500,000th Transporter is built in Hanover.

1995 - The chairman of the Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Bernd Wiedmann announced the launch of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as an independent Volkswagen marque.

1996 - The Caddy van was introduced to the commercial vehicle market.

1996 - Designed to meet the needs of business today, the LT 2 was launched in the UK offering a model range built upon strength and variety that closely suits specific needs.

1998 - Separate Commercial Vehicle Division in the UK is created with Peter Wyhinny as director. Start of Commercial Vehicle Brand Separation.

2000 - The millennium saw the 50th anniversary of the legendary Volkswagen Transporter which has continuously demonstrated the Volkswagen qualities of reliability, economy and efficiency.

2003 - Part five of the legend arrived when the All New Transporter T5 was launched. The world's best selling van went on to win the 2004 What Van? Van Of The Year award following its launch.

2007 - Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles celebrates 60 years of Volkswagen Vans and the production of 10 million Transporters in Hanover with rock band, The Who and 71,000 Volkswagen fans.

(http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/company/volkswagen-heritage/)