The Volkswagen Diesel is a Smart Choice for a Durable Car

Added: 01/28/2006

Based in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen AG is one of four largest automobile manufacturers in the world. Regardless of the fact that the origin of the company dates back to the 1930s, the first car, known as the Beetle was designed in the 1920s by Ferdinand Porsche. Later changes to the design included efficient repairs and parts, better fuel efficiency and reliability. The Beetle, which we know today, was designed by Erwin Komenda and is one of a variety of Volkswagen diesel models that are reliable and durable in the city and on the autostrada.

In the post war period Volkswagen has proven an important element of West German regeneration. However, the future of the car manufacturer was obscure. It was rejected by the British, French and American motor industries, expressing criticism against Volkswagen. In 1948 Heinrich Nordhoff, a former manager of Opel, was appointed to run the company. In addition to introduction of a commercial vehicle Type 2 and Karmann Ghia sport car, he adhered to the one model policy until 1968.

Production of the Volkswagen Beetle increased over the years, totaling one million as of 1954. Though the car was always known as the Beetle, it was always referred to as the Type 1. With the introduction of Type 3 models in 1967 and Type 4 models in 1969, Volkswagen expanded its line of products. Due to the introduction of a fully automatic transmission, electronic fuel injection and new improved wheels Volkswagen Type 4 differed essentially from the previous models.

In 1973 Volkswagen introduced the military version of his Type 181, designed for the German army during the period of the cold war. 1974 was marked by the introduction of the notable VW Golf, referred to as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States in the 1970s and the Golf in the 1980s. It differed significantly from the Beetle in both mechanical and visual aspects, with the design following trends of such small family cars as Mini and Renault 5, which both had the trademark wheels Volkswagen.

With its improved Volkswagen diesel engine in the front and a hatchback, VW Golf was an immediate success, occupying dominant position on the market. Some German factories continued producing Beetles, but the main production shifted to Mexico and Brazil. Despite the fact that the range of cars of the company became soon similar to that of the important European car manufacturers, the Golf remained the core of the Volkswagen diesel lineup and the basis for some other cars of the company.

There were five generations of the VW Golf, all of them enjoying great popularity on the US markets. The current VW Golf was launched in 2003, spawning the generation Scoda Octavia, Audi 3 and Seat Toledo. Among other major models are Passat and smaller Polo. In 1998 New Beatles were launched by the company, bearing resemblance to the original Beetle with the model based on the VW Golf. Other models new to the company included the Phaeton and the Touareg, both launched in 2002. Because they were not well received on the US market, Volkswagen announced discontinuance on the market until September 2006.

Currently Volkswagen offers a variety of vehicles with the advanced Volkswagen diesel engine, known as TDI. Enjoying wide acceptance on the European market, the Volkswagen diesel is not so popular with Americans, despite significant fuel economy. As reports the U S Environmental Protection Agency, four out of ten most efficient vehicles available for sale in the country in 2004 were equipped with Volkswagen diesel engines. These were a three way tie for Beetle, Golf and Jetta. Since 1996 the company started producing Volkswagen diesel engines, suitable for 100% biodiesel.

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