Production of the VW Bullis began in 1950, and more than 13 million models were sold. The cult car is extremely popular again, especially during holidays and camping. Its future is electric.
Craftsman's vehicle, practical post-war transporter, hippie mobile, MPV:Hardly any other car has taken on as many roles over the decades as the VW Bulli. The history of the cult car began in 1947:During a tour of the VW plant in Wolfsburg, the Dutch car dealer Ben Pon inspected an improvised pallet truck that the workers used exclusively for internal transport. The simple plate wagon served as inspiration for Pon. The businessman recognized a niche in the market and drew up a sketch that soon became the world's first Bulli
Since then, the boxy model has gone through seven generations - of which more than 13 million have been sold worldwide, according to VW. The T7 is scheduled to be launched in November 2021.
Bulli production moves from Wolfsburg to Hanover
The Bulli is mainly built in Hanover:in Wolfsburg, the capacity limit for Bulli production was already reached in the mid-1950s. 80 vehicles were produced in Wolfsburg in addition to the VW Beetle per day, 330 would have been necessary. The transporter should therefore get its own factory according to VW's will. 200 cities and municipalities applied as a location. In the end, the state capital, with an area of around 1.1 million square meters in the north of the city, was awarded the contract. On March 8, 1956, a Bulli rolled off the production line for the first time at the VW plant in the Stöcken district.
VW Bulli becomes a fun vehicle for youth culture
While in the young Federal Republic the focus was initially on its function as a workhorse and craftsman's vehicle during the years of the economic boom, the hippies swore by it as a flower power car in the 1960s and 1970s. In the USA, the Bulli became a fun vehicle for youth culture at this time. Every third Bulli of the T2 generation (1967 to 1979) from German production was exported to the United States. Today, the Bulli is still considered a cult car by many. In addition, the model is used as a large limousine as well as a mini caravan, serious company car or shared taxi.
Strategic importance for the VW Group
In addition to economic success, the Bulli is also of strategic importance for the Group, as explained by Stefan Reindl, Director of the Institute for the Automotive Industry in Nürtingen, on the occasion of the 70th Bulli birthday in 2020. The car was a "model for almost all competition vehicles in the minibus segment". For VW it is the "bread-and-butter car of commercial vehicles", according to Reindl.
Bulli successor will be built in Hanover from 2022
The E-Bulli:Externally a T1 from 1966, under the body a modern electric motor with 83 hp.From 2024, the traditional VW Transporter will no longer be built in Hanover. Instead, an electric off-road vehicle and the fully electric ID.Buzz minibus are to roll off the assembly line - the latter even in a retro 1960s look for enthusiasts. The new models are part of the strategy for which the world's largest car company is investing around 33 billion euros in e-mobility by 2024. VW CEO Herbert Diess has high expectations of the Bulli successor. The ID.Buzz is an "important pillar in the electric offensive", said Diess.