Volkswagen has celebrated a milestone production anniversary. Since the company was founded eighty years ago, 150 million vehicles, including big sellers such as the Golf or the Beetle, have been built around the world at over 50 production sites in 14 countries.

The brand’s current product portfolio includes over 60 models worldwide. Now, the anniversary car, a blue Golf GTE, has rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg. The company says the plug-in hybrid is a symbol of the future of mobility at Volkswagen.

Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, addressed the team in Assembly Hall 12: “150 million vehicles – that means we have made the dream of owning a car come true 150 million times for customers all over the world. You and your day-to-day work are the basis for this success. My colleagues on the Board of Management join me in thanking all Volkswagen employees – at all our sites. This anniversary would not have been possible without your commitment.”

In 2017, Volkswagen is launching over 10 new models worldwide. There will be 19 new SUVs in total by 2020. The I.D. family with the new electric architecture (MEB) then marks the start of the Volkswagen brand’s electric offensive from 2020. One million electric Volkswagens are to hit the road by 2025. “In the present phase, it is vital that Volkswagen continues to develop successfully. Because we are a strong team, we get the job done, and we have a good plan for the future. We must consistently work on our performance in order to remain successful. Past success is no guarantee for the future”, Diess went on to say.

Chairman of the Volkswagen Group and General Works Council, Bernd Osterloh, commented: “150 million vehicles – that is a truly incredible number. It is 150 million Volkswagens that have taken their drivers hundreds of thousands of kilometers, commuting to work, enjoying leisure time, going on vacation, or traveling on business. This anniversary proves our colleagues have done a splendid job for generations. Here at Volkswagen, we build top-quality cars. And we will continue to do so in future. Our workforce has every reason to be proud of that.”

The series production of the Volkswagen brand began on December 27, 1945 with the Type 1 Käfer. In the post-war era, it was the Volkswagen Beetle that initially shaped the automobile industry. All in all, 21.5 million were built before production finally came to an end in Mexico in 2003.

The Volkswagen Golf topped the Beetle record. The 25 millionth Volkswagen Golf left the assembly line in Wolfsburg in 2007, and by 2013 the number had already risen to 30 million. Today, Volkswagen produces the bestselling Golf in the seventh generation and has already built more than 34 million worldwide.

The Volkswagen brand’s product portfolio currently includes more than 60 models worldwide. Apart from the Beetle and the Golf, more than 20 million Passat, some 19.5 million Jetta and almost 17 million Polo have been produced.

The workforce at the main plant in Wolfsburg alone has built over 44 million vehicles since production began some 72 years ago.