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Founded in 1937 in Germany, Volkswagen was the largest automotive manufacturer by worldwide sales in 2016 and 2017. Best known for its car model, the Beetle, Volkswagen currently dominates the Chinese vehicle market (which accounts for 40% of its total sales.)

The first automobile that Volkswagen manufactured was the KdF-Wagen, a predecessor to their iconic Beetle. The vehicle was only available to high-ranking military members of the German army during World War II. The company began making Beetles for civilians in 1945, producing millions by 1950. The 1950 Beetle cost $1280, the equivalent of $14,391 in current value. Today, Volkswagen makes a variety of sedans, compacts, SUVs, and EVs. Their current lineup includes the Beetle, ID.4, Atlas, Tiguan, Taos, Jetta, Arteon, Golf GTI, and ID. Buzz. Volkswagen’s highest selling year since 2005 was in 2012 when it sold 467,408 vehicles in the US alone.

Volkswagen recently announced its intention to electrify its European manufacturing plants and intends to be a global market leader in the EV industry by 2025. By 2026, they hope to have one in four of the vehicles they sell to have a battery-electric power system. Beginning in 2026, they plan to have a fully electrified manufacturing plant in Brussels. They will make their Audi Q8 e-tron, a plant in the Iberian Peninsula for their EV line, and a multi-brand plant in Pamplona for their electric SUV line, all by 2025.