Volkswagen Australia History
Volkswagen Australia History: The Volkswagen People’s Car
Since the first Volkswagen left the production line in 1974, we have been committed to making German engineering affordable and accessible to all – creating ‘The People’s Car’. Our engineers designed Volkswagen with the belief that every detail, no matter how minute, is important.
We are now driven by more. Volkswagen is committed to not only producing cars of the highest quality but also to improving the lives of its customers. Discover our history and how we have evolved from the foundations that we laid years ago.
The Volkswagen History
In the Weimar Republic, the idea of the Volkswagen or people’s car was dominant. Many people expressed a variety of opinions, including those who questioned whether Germany needed a car. A categorical question was asked: Is it worth inventing a “motorcar” when there are already motorcycles that are the most democratic vehicles? This idea was not realized because of the First World War, and then the political turmoil. Later came the crisis but the dream remained. The national car prototype, which was displayed at a 1930 automobile exhibition in Berlin as an attraction, continued to exist.
Hitler was made chancellor of Germany in 1933. Hitler, Jacob Werlin (representing Daimler-Benz Corporation) and Ferdinand Porsche met at the Kaiserhof Hotel, Berlin, in the fall of 1933. Hitler demanded that a reliable and strong car, worth less than 1,000 Reichsmarks, be created for the Germans. The car was to be assembled in the new factory that personified the new Germany. He drew a sketch, highlighted the key points of the program, and asked for the name of the designer responsible for the execution. Jacob Werlin suggested Ferdinand Porsche. Porsche began translating the dream of creating a car for all people into reality.
First Volkswagen Models
A unique form led to the nickname “Beetle” for the first variant of the German People’s Car. Ferdinand Porsche had already sent the Beetle drawings to the Reich Chancellery of Germany on January 17, 1934. The Beetle, which was based on the Porsche Typ 60, was developed in 1933. Six months later, the RDA or “German Automobile Association” signed a contract with “Dr. Ing. The company Ferdinand Porsche founded, h.c. F. Porsche GmbH was responsible for developing three Volkswagen prototypes. The designers were only given 200 thousand Reichsmarks and 10 months to complete their work. The car was to have five seats and cost less than 1550 Reichsmarks. It would also accelerate up to 100 km/h with a fuel consumption rate of 8 litres/100 km. The first prototype had a capacity of 26 horsepower.
The Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen (People’s Car), is a four-seat rear-engined, air-cooled light car designed by Ferdinand Porsche and Erwin Komenda between 1933-34 under the direction of Adolf Hitler. Hitler wanted a car that was affordable for the masses to support the new autobahns. The design was heavily influenced by a rear-engine project Porsche completed for NSU, as well as Porsche’s streamlined Tatra T97. The car was nicknamed “Beetle” because of its rounded shape.
The prototype was completed in 1936. Hitler opened a new factory in 1938 after testing pre-production KDF-Wagens. German workers were able to subscribe to the German Workers Front’s (DAF) savings plan to buy a KDF Wagen. They could place stamps in a book and redeem them at a later date for a KDF Wagen. The Second World War began in September 1939, and mass production of cars was delayed. However, military versions of KDF-Wagens such as the Type 82 Kubelwagens were produced for the German armed services during the war. The British Army took over the heavily damaged Wolfsburg factory in May 1945 and put the car on limited production for civilian purposes. Laurence Hartnett, on behalf of Australia’s government, inspected the Volkswagen factory to determine whether all or part of the machinery could be purchased for Australian use. Hartnett rejected production of the vehicle in Australia, and no equipment has been removed.
In the 1950s, and especially in the early 1960s, under private ownership led by Heinz Nordhoff and Volkswagen AG the “Beetle” continued to gain popularity as a cheap and economical means of transportation. Export sales increased dramatically and the car was a symbol for the West German economic recovery after World War II. Production continued in West Germany up until 1978. Over 21.5 million Beetles were produced when production in Mexico stopped in 2003. The first Beetles imported into Australia were by Melbourne-based company, ‘Melbourne Motors.
Regent Motors in late 1953. Volkswagen Australia was founded later by Regent Motors, other importers and the German parent company with a majority stake. The company imported ‘Completely Knocked-Down’ (CKD), car kits that were assembled in Melbourne. Over time, the local content increased. Volkswagen (Australasia Pty Ltd) was then owned by its parent company.
The First Volkswagens in Australia
The military imported Australia’s very first Volkswagens. The Australian War Memorial has the very first Kubelwagen. ANZACs stationed in the desert during WWII captured Kubelwagens. Local military minds were impressed by the VW’s performance in the North African Desert and wanted to test it on Australian soil. In 1949, the military sold two Beetles. Volkswagen was intended to be the people’s car.
Volkswagen in Australia was never an affordable, economical model for the worker. It’s always been a symbol of status. South Melbourne’s Regent Motors acquired the import and distributor rights for Volkswagen two years after Therese Hanahel imported hers. The cars were sold at PS900, which is equivalent to $30 today. These imported VWs were similar to Therese’s but started the road towards Australia’s very first VWat auction.
First Importation in Australia of Volkswagen
Therese Hansael bought a VW in 1951 from a British officer, just before leaving Antwerp. Therese Hanael is thought to have imported the first VW into Australia personally.
Volkswagen was created to be the car of the people. In Australia, Volkswagen has never been a cheap, economical model for the average worker. It’s always been a symbol of status. After Therese Hanael imported hers, South Melbourne’s Regent Motors acquired the import and distributor rights for Volkswagen two years later. These imported VWs were similar to Therese’s but began the journey toward Australia’s first locally built VW.
Volkswagen Flatpack Cars in Australia
Tax concessions were granted to companies that assembled cars locally towards the end of the 1950s. In June 1954 Regent Motors contracted Martin & King Pty Ltd to assemble “completely knocked down” VWs imported from overseas. Shipments could be larger and Regent Motors would get local concessions by shipping them in as parts instead of whole. The CKD Beetles were equipped with a single oval-shaped rear window, a solitary tailpipe, a push-button start, and a 1,131 CC engine.
Australia produced 51% of flat-packed Beetles by 1957. The Australian VW Beetle from 1957 featured a large rear glass, a windscreen that was larger, smaller panels and a smaller grille at the rear. It also had a flat accelerator pedal, a larger glovebox, and smaller panels.
VW Australia was able to better control quality by assembling the parts themselves. The accuracy and quality of the build improved. In Clayton, VW body panels began to be stamped two years later. In the following twenty years, Australia produced its VWs.
Volkswagen Production in Australia
The plant in Melbourne, Australia began producing Volkswagen cars in 1959 at the Martin & King railway wagon factory in Clayton. It expanded quickly. Local production of Beetles ceased in 1968 with only 260,000 Beetles produced, due to the competition from Japanese imports. After 1968, Clayton reverted to CKD assembly for imported vehicles such as some Japanese cars. Nissan acquired the plant for Datsun production. The last Australian-built Beetle was produced in 1976.
End of the Line
Nissan Australia owned Volkswagen in 1976. The 1975 Beetle, which was underselling, was no longer worth continuing. Passat and Golf were modified to comply with new emissions legislation. The Beetle production line was shut down because the modifications were too expensive for the little benefit they would bring. Nissan decided in March 1977 that the cost of producing other VWs at the quality VW drivers were expecting was too high. The Australian Volkswagen production had ended.
