171 upvotes, 8 direct replies (showing 8)
View submission: the German fascist regime promoting the "people's car" 80 years ago
It's crazy to think that the same basic design from the 1930s stayed in production until 2003, and that it came from such an awful regime no less.
Comment by oriolid at 12/03/2025 at 14:14 UTC
143 upvotes, 8 direct replies
Well, the basic design was largely copied from Tatra[1]. Quote from the Wikipedia: "Tatra launched a lawsuit against Volkswagen for patent infringement, but this was stopped when Germany invaded Czechoslovakia[2]"
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatra_(company)#Tatra_and_the_conception_of_the_Volkswagen_Beetle
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_occupation_of_Czechoslovakia
Comment by Toonces311 at 12/03/2025 at 14:05 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Subaru would not exist either.
Comment by Digitaluser32 at 12/03/2025 at 14:10 UTC
16 upvotes, 2 direct replies
The Porsche 911 is still being made as of 2025. The 911 is a direct descendant. Both are small 4 seaters with engine in the rear. Both designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
Top Gear did a great segment on the colorful history.
Comment by Comfortable_Line_206 at 12/03/2025 at 14:19 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Very smart people can be in awful companies/governments. Space X has Shotwell despite being owned by a moron.
Comment by GeauxGeauxGadget504 at 12/03/2025 at 15:01 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Rumor has it it was actually a Chevrolet design that got stolen by VW.
Comment by Plus_Operation2208 at 12/03/2025 at 16:20 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
2003?
Comment by Party_Reaction335 at 12/03/2025 at 17:18 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The same regime is responsible for the creation of Fanta
Comment by Chappy_Sinclair1 at 13/03/2025 at 01:02 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Well it came from Ferdinand Porsche