As Volkswagen tries to move forward from its diesel woes by focusing on electric vehicles, the brand has reason to celebrate this week. Volkswagen's 150 millionth vehicle, a blue Golf GTE, rolled off the line in Wolfsburg, Germany.
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It took Volkswagen 80 years to achieve the milestone. Since the company was founded in 1937, it has built vehicles at more than 50 sites in 14 countries around the world.
Not only does the anniversary car celebrate Volkswagen's commitment to electrified vehicles, but it also highlights the Golf's crucial role in reaching the big "150." By 2013, Volkswagen had sold 30 million Golf models, and with the continued rollout of the seventh generation, that number has risen to more than 34 million.
The brand has also built 17 million Polos, 19.5 million Jettas, and more than 20 million Passats over the course of its history. The old Volkswagen Beetle was another prominent model that shaped the car's post-war history, with 21.5 million units built before production halted in Mexico in 2003.
The massive Wolfsburg plant has contributed significantly to VW's milestone. The factory has built more than 44 million vehicles since production began at the plant 72 years ago.
Today, Volkswagen has more than 60 models in its stable. It will launch more than 10 vehicles worldwide this year alone. Starting in 2020, VW will bring out its I.D. electric vehicles, and it aims to have 1 million EVs out on the road by 2025.
Source: Volkswagen, Volkswagen News via Twitter
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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