Volkswagen do Brasil Ltda. is a subsidiary arm of Volkswagen Group, established in 1953 with local assembly of the Volkswagen Type 1, from parts imported from Germany. It produced over 20 million vehicles in Brazil having been market leader for the majority of their more-than-sixty-years in existence. Beginning in 1958, the Type 1 ("Fuscas") had a 24-year run as the number one in sales in Brazil. From 1987 until 2012, the Gol was first place in sales.[1]
History
The Volkswagen assembly plant in Brazil was established after the Brazilian government prohibited the import of fully built-up vehicles in 1953.[2] Its first president was Friedrich Schultz-Wenk who had emigrated to Brazil in 1950 after a brief stint as a prisoner of war, followed by some time in Wolfsburg.[3] Their first plant was in Ipiranga, São Paulo and was a strict knock-down kit operation.