The venerable Volkswagen Beetle traces its humble beginnings to Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

Adolf Hitler wanted to motorise Germany and have a people’s car. Josef Ganz, a Jewish-designed car, was actually the brain behind the Volkswagen Beetle. Hitler, however, appointed a bright engineer, Ferdinand Porsche, to create the VW Beetle.  The vehicle eventually came to be known as "KdF-Wagen" after the Nazi-led movement.  During the mid 1940s, the British military government made a high-volume order for the VW Beetle. During that era, the KdF-Wagen was renamedVolkswagen.

There were other small cars that emerged and offered rivalry to the VW Beetle. Also embodying the “people’s car” concept was  the Ford Model T. From 1934 until the late 1950s, French car maker Citroen produced the Traction Avant, which made every other car on the road look dated. The Fiat 500 from Italy was another small city car produced in 1957, emerging as a competitor to the Beetle.

In recent years, the classic Volkswagen Beetle has been featured in many prestigious car shows, attracting many guests both for the craftsmanship of restoration work and the nostalgia it brings. The latest models of the Volkswagen Beetle are a far cry from the classic versions of yesteryears, incorporating lots of modern design features and amenities.  

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