Volkswagen

Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, commonly known as Volkswagen or VW, is a German automaker and the flagship company of the Volkswagen Group. Founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front as part of an effort to produce an affordable car for the masses, the brand is named after the German words 'Volk' (people) and 'Wagen' (car). The company is headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, and grew from the original 'People's Car' project into one of the world's largest automakers.

During the postwar era, Volkswagen expanded rapidly, reviving production and building a broad lineup including the Beetle, which became one of the best-selling cars in history. In 1974 the Golf replaced the Beetle as the company's core model and helped shape its modern identity. The Volkswagen Group, established in 1937 and reorganized after World War II, is now a multinational corporation that owns and controls a family of brands, including Audi, SEAT, Škoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Porsche (via the Porsche AG subsidiary and Porsche SE holding). The group also formerly owned Ducati.

Volkswagen operates globally, producing passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and electric vehicles. It has faced major scrutiny after the 2015 Dieselgate emissions scandal, in which the company admitted to using defeat devices in several diesel models, leading to settlements and reforms. Today, VW is focused on products across segments, including the expanding ID. electric vehicle lineup, and remains one of the largest automakers by sales, with production and operations centered in Germany and multinational manufacturing across Europe, China, and the Americas.