VW 1950-54

After the British Military Government had handed over VW to the State of Lower Saxony, the foundation for a successful company had been laid. It was now up to VW to make the most of it and they certainly did so.

1950: The VW van was introduced (see right) and production of the 100,000th post war VW vehicle was achieved. 

Exports went to 17 countries and 29,400 sales in number. The local market exceeded 60,000 units. 

The 6,000 domestic LCV sales in the chart below are an estimate. Total worldwide sales reached 90,200.

1951: Like elsewhere, material shortages hampered growth and VW was also affected. Total sales reached 105,700 but it could have been higher. Sales in Germany were up to 70,000 and exports 35,700, the latter were going to 28 countries. 

1952: The sales increase called for greater space so expansion was done to cope with the greater volume. 89,100 sales for the domestic market and 46,900 abroad added up to 136,000 global sales. Export revenue helped procure raw materials for the company.  

1953: VW built apartments to allow workers with travel issues to live closer to their work. 175,700 vehicles were sold and the 500,000th VW was produced post war. By the end of the year, vehicles were being exported to 88 countries. Arrangements were made for starting vehicle assembly in Brazil. 

1954: The car was still a luxury for many in Germany with nearly 90% of sales for businesses. The move to conveyor assembly was being utilised as VW moved to more efficient mass production. Annual sales raced to nearly 250,000 with export sales exceeding 100,00 for the first time. 

Source: VW AG. For the next in the series, please click here.