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Reading - Volkswagen Beetle
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The Volkswagen Beetle is probably the most famous car in the world. The German automobile giant Volkswagen made the first Bug in 1938 and continued selling them for 65 years! Volkswagen did not change the design of the Beetle over this time, and this makes the Beetle the highest selling car (of the same design) in history. More than 21 million Beetles were sold worldwide, and many of them are still on our roads today.
The Volkswagen Beetle was designed to be a mass produced affordable car for the German people. Ferdinand Porsche, the man who founded the original Porsche motor company, had the idea for this vehicle. Ferdinand Porsche was given the order to create the first Volkswagen by Adolf Hitler in the mid 1930s. Adolf Hitler, wanted a cheap car for citizens of Nazi Germany. Adolf Hitler was of course later responsible for World War 2 and the death of tens of millions of people. The first production of the Beetle was in 1939, however this was at the same time as World War 2 was starting. The Beetles were used as military vehicles by the German army.
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
At the end of World War 2 in 1945 the Volkswagen Beetle was finally produced to be sold to the public. The Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg was manufacturing more than 1000 cars a month, and by 1955 the 1 millionth Beetle had been sold. Manufacturing continued in Germany until 1978, after which production of the Volkswagen Beetle moved to Brazil and Mexico to save money. The last Beetle was made in Mexico in 2003.
Herbie
The Volkswagen Beetle is also special for a number of technological reasons. Firstly, the engine is in the back of the car, and secondly the engine is air cooled. Most cars have an engine at the front and are water cooled. The Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet has always been an admired and popular car. Cabriolets are cars that have a retractable roof so you can drive with the top down and enjoy the breeze! The Volkswagen Beetle will finally be remembered for the Herbie series of films - about the number 53 Beetle that seemed to have a life of its own!
automobile () - a passenger vehicle with 4 wheels and an engine (car)
worldwide () - all part of the world
mass produced () - to be produced in very large numbers, usually by an automatic process
citizens () - a person that lives in a particular area or country
military vehicles () - vehicles that are used by the army, navy or air-force
public () - the community, people in general
manufacturing () - to make a lot of something using large machinery
admired () - to respect and think positively about someone or something
retractable () - to draw or pull something back (into itself)
breeze () - a small or light wind
Now take our Volkswagen Beetle Quiz!
Add a Comment
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Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on March 7, 2013 at 10:00 -
I enjoyed reading your comment. The Volkswagen Beetle has become an icon of Mexico over the years.
My first car was also a Volkswagen Beetle. I still have fond memories of my bright yellow bug. :)
Your anecdote about your brother is great! A pair of Nike trainers for a car. He is obviously very good at negotiating a good deal!
Going on a trip to space is an awesome prize. Did you enter?
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Comment by Olivia on March 7, 2013 at 3:59 -
I loved this reading. Many memories crossed my mind now.
Indeed, in Mexico there are many Bugs which are called Vochos! There are special magazines for fans of it, one of this publications is Vochomanía.The Bug was popular among taxi drivers in Mexico city, but now it has phased out .
Not many years ago,driving schools at least in my city used to have this car to teach how to drive. Many people actually learnt to drive with the Bug.
AnecdotesOne of my brothers told me that he learnt to drive along with a friend of his who own this car, they crashed couple of times. Also my elder brother traded a very old rusty vocho with moisture that didn't work at. He gave a pair of Nike trainers for it. Incredibly, he sold it and he was able to buy a better Bug that was not rusty. He was quite young at that time, he kept working, earning little money. Later, he got married and started to build his house. He had children and found a better job. He kept trading second-hand cars, bought other terrains and now he has a Nissan Frontier.
In Mexico, we have a VW factory in the state of Puebla.
Many foreign people like to take pictures of Bug, especially German and American people. They get amazed and curious for the creative arrays set on them.
Finally, I also remember the time when an outer space trip was offered as a prize to customer! by the Brazilian Volkwagen . I read it on my local newspaper. You can check the news on this link
http://wardsauto.com/news-amp-analysis/vw-brazil-send-customers-out...
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Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 26, 2013 at 21:50 -
Thanks Vero. That's very useful. Quite a few of those words are different in the UK. Do you know which words?
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Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 23, 2013 at 19:54 -
You're welcome Laikhan!
Vero - That video is ridiculous. There is nothing else I can say! Wow.
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Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on January 22, 2013 at 10:54 -
You're welcome Laikhan!
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Comment by Laikhan on January 22, 2013 at 10:33 -
Wow. thank you teacher. i read and wrote down my sticky paper and i will remember that new words.
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Comment by Jubjib on October 22, 2011 at 10:36 -
Cannot wait to the the yellow one park at satree school and drive around Phuket..:)
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Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on October 22, 2011 at 5:54 -
I would love a yellow Beetle again! One day...
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Comment by Jubjib on October 22, 2011 at 5:53
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The yellow one again?? it will make Phuket more colorful if u got it again...:)
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Teacher Comment by English Teacher Jamie on September 29, 2011 at 10:08 -
I had one many years ago. It was bright yellow! I loved my Beetle, and maybe one day in the future I can own one again!
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Comment by Aphicy on September 29, 2011 at 8:36 -
It is my favourite car ^^
I want to own one!!
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