Ben Pon has an ingenious idea.
| 1947A chance encounter made an impact on automotive history. As the Dutch Importer Ben Pon walked across the grounds of the Volkswagen factory in April 1947, he came across a very strange vehicle. Some Volkswagen employees had built it themselves to make their work easier when transporting heavy parts from production hall to production hall. A little later, on 23rd April, this impression crystallised into an idea. Ben Pon took his notebook and sketched a type of vehicle that did not exist in the world at that time – a forward control vehicle with rear engine and a box shaped body. |
This sketch marked the starting point of a million selling vehicle: the Volkswagen Transporter. It filled a market gap, long before there was a suitable name for this phenomenon, which the Second World War had torn in Central Europe – a gap which was in no way to become any smaller as the economy gradually picked up. Simple, robust, highly flexible transport vehicles with reasonably priced production and running costs were what the market wanted. The economic miracle was only just beginning to take shape but it was clear that tradesmen, retailers and small and medium-sized businesses needed precisely the kind of vehicle outlined by Ben Pon in his rough sketch. | |
There are no reliable records as to whether it was easy to convince the engineers in Wolfsburg to take part in this venture. Ben Pon remained persistent and was able to win Heinrich Nordhoff over. Although somewhat sceptical, he put his design department on to the idea and the prototype of the Transporter took shape only a short time later. | 1950The somewhat rounded prototype has its premiere behind closed doors within the factory in November 1949 and is immediately nicknamed “Bulli” in German which refers to its beefy appearance. Series production of one of the most successful vehicles in history begins on 8th March 1950 at the parent plant. The Transporter uses the engine and axles of the Beetle but not the central tubular frame. Instead it has a unitary body supported by a ladder frame. The payload is approx. 750 kg. |
The engine has a capacity of 1131 ccm, and an output of 18 kW at 3300 rpm. The VW Bus conveys up to eight people; the two rear rows of seats can be removed in order to transport loads. Series production begins on 8th March at 10 vehicles a day. This first Transporter generation is built up to the year 1967. 1951The Samba Bus is introduced. It is designed for passenger transport only. A two-tone paint finish, roll back sun roof, plenty of chrome and 21 windows again set new standards here. | |
| 1952The Dropside truck is introduced and is still today the ideal vehicle for the building trade and many more besides. The 4 m² load platform can be closed with a tilt and bows and has a lockable stowage compartment underneath. The Dropside truck with double cab is presented in November 1958. |
1953
"Volkswagen do Brasil S.A." is founded in São Bernardo do Campo near São Paulo on 23rd March. It develops into the most important foreign subsidiary of the company within a short time. Initially, Volkswagens are assembled in São Paulo from parts produced in Germany. The foreign currency situation in this South American country soon forces the company to produce parts direct in Brazil. However, due to the lack of technical preconditions Volkswagenwerk motivates German partners in the industry to commit themselves in Brazil and continue their positive cooperation. This economic initiative evolves into a social and economic commitment of considerable proportions, making a substantial contribution to the economic upswing in Brazil.1954 - Decision in favour of HanoverThe 100,000th Volkswagen Transporter left the production line in Wolfsburg four years later. It was an incredibly universal commercial vehicle – already with 30 different models at that time – from the Bus and Delivery van to the Dropside truck. It soon became clear that a factory would have to be purpose built for it if Wolfsburg did not want to be smothered by its own success. Only by implementing temporary measures was it possible to increase production of the Transporter. The daily production figure totals some 80 vehicles. Heinrich Nordhoff decides to have a "Transporter factory" built. | |
1955
A new location was soon found: Hanover. The decision to build the new factory was made on 24th January 1955. Five weeks later on 1st March 1955, "Mr. Volkswagen", Professor Dr.-Ing. Heinz Heinrich Nordhoff, personally laid the foundation stone.
A new chapter in automotive history began. |
