The bugs in VW's past

UPI ^ | November 27, 2002 | Thomas H. Lipscomb

[Clodia Pulcher]

"...ARTnews editor Carly Berwick was simply trying to cover the new "Autostadt" theme park in Wolfsburg, Germany, home of Volkswagen. Owned by VW, the Autostadt is sort of an Epcot Center devoted to the car and in particular Volkswagen products including Audi and Lamborghini. Germans who buy VW cars can pick one up at the Autostadt and save the usual dealer delivery fee, and get a free day ticket to the exhibits. Like all theme parks, Autostadt is all very slick and all very contemporary. But as Berwick toured its Zeithaus, or "Time House," devoted to the history of Volkswagen, she noticed a conspicuous absence of material devoted to VW's contribution to the Nazi war machine. When she asked Autostadt's CEO, Otto Wachs, about "the gap" in the Zeithaus, he replied with one of those infuriatingly coy statements that send good reporters digging frantically away: 'We do not think there was a real gap. You can have more than detailed information, if you ask.'"

[Clodia Pulcher]

As history teaching declines in American schools, it is amazing what we forget... .

[tpaine]

"But as Berwick toured its Zeithaus, or "Time House," devoted to the history of Volkswagen, she noticed a conspicuous absence of material devoted to VW's contribution to the Nazi war machine."
__________________________________

What is it in particular about VW's history is so amazing & that we've 'forgotten'?

Have I missed some point here?

[DTA]

"On the 26 May 1938, Hitler ceremoniously laid the cornerstone of the new factory, a huge event witnessed by an estimated 70,000 people and 150 reporters, all controlled by the Nazi propaganda machine. It was here that Hitler declared that the model would be known as the 'KdF-Wagen' or 'Strength through joy' wagen and the surrounding town that was built to support the factory would be known as the 'KdF-Stadt', production was to start in September 1939 - this turned out to be the same month that World War Two was declared, and none of the thousands who had collected their stamps ever received their beetle."

[RLK]

As part of his declared vision in the '30s Hitler said every German should have an automobile --a people's car. That's what Volkswagen means in German. There's no secret about it.

[DTA]

This might help you to refresh kniowledge of VW durign Nazi regime

O.K. not fair to blame little Herby without mentioning FORD or G M

[Gary Boldwater]

Volkswagen - A glorious symbol of America's left-granola movement. Ever see the pollution pouring out of the back of a VW microbus as it strains going uphill?

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[RightWhale]

the 'KdF-Wagen' or 'Strength through joy' wagen

Really? Always wondered but never asked. Kraft durch Freude or something like that?

[gatex]

Tell us what we forget about New York City and gun control.

[tpaine]

What is it in particular about VW's history that's so amazing & that we've 'forgotten'?
Have I missed some point here? - tpaine

This might help you to refresh kniowledge of VW durign Nazi regime.

I had no lapse that needed refreshing, nor, imo, do most of us. Thus, my question about the point.

O.K. not fair to blame little Herby without mentioning FORD or G M.

Blame 'Herby'? Who he? For what? The rationale of this thread is getting more murky by the minute.

[APBaer]

" Ever see the pollution pouring out of the back of a VW microbus as it strains going uphill?"

And I always thought that was Bong smoke.

[Axenolith]

Herby the "love bug", didn't you ever see or hear of that?

[tpaine]

Good grief, the love bug.
-- Yeh, that was a big part of my life, fer-sure, dude.

[cmsgop]

bump for later

[tpaine]

Tell us what we forget about New York City and gun control.
9 po

Gun controls are mojos subject. 'Clodia' would have to switch hats.

[tictoc]

VW has a huge magnesium plant in Israel, by the Dead Sea.

I don't know any other major car manufacturer that does business so conspicously with Israel.

[shaggy eel]

As part of his declared vision in the '30s Hitler said every German should have an automobile --a people's car.

,,, when the revolution comes everyone will drive a Rolls-Royce.

What happens if I don't like Rolls-Royces?

When the revolution comes you won't have a choice.

Nobody has mentioned here that Henry Ford financed Hitler's efforts via Swiss banks. Why is that?

[RLK]

Nobody has mentioned here that Henry Ford financed Hitler's efforts via Swiss banks. Why is that?

-----------------------

That wasn't the topic of the post. If you want to document Ford's activities and post it on another thread, you may provoke a discussion of the issue. Be my guest.

[shaggy eel]

,,, New York City and gun control wasn't the topic of this post either. I suspect my query has relevance on this thread to a greater extent.