Volkswagen was created in 1936 but its origins go back to 1925, when an 18-year-old student, Bela Barenyi, submitted chassis designs for a ‘volkswagen’, which translates as ‘people’s car’. Plans were put in place in the 1930s, under the orders of a certain Adolf Hitler, to create a basic vehicle that could transport two adults and two children at 62mph. And so the Beetle was born. VW was revived after World War 2 and the Wolfsburg factory was offered by the British to several foreign car makers, but all rejected it as a project doomed to fail. But it didn’t, and the Beetle was soon followed by the Type 2 (VW Camper) and Karmann Ghia sports car. Volkswagen’s acquisition of the Audi brand helped it to launch the Golf, Passat, Polo, which have stood the test of time, and it now produces models all over the world. At Haynes, we have an extensive range of Audi repair manuals and online procedures available for professional mechanics and DIY car enthusiasts alike. We can give you all the guidance you need.