On March 29, 1974, Volkswagen's head plant in Wolfsburg, Germany began serial production of the Golf model, which was destined to become one of the most popular in the world. world — more than 37 million copies have been manufactured to date.
We told in detail the history of the creation of the Volkswagen Golf in a separate large historical material, but here we will only record a memorable date: the Golf has passed the half-century mark since the start of production and continues its life path. Volkswagen is currently producing the eighth generation Golf, which recently underwent a planned restyling. Last year, Volkswagen management made a fundamental decision to develop the “ninth” Golf: it will be fully electric and will hit the market towards the end of the current decade.
Production of the first generation Volkswagen Golf at the Wolfsburg plant
Since its debut, the Golf has become a popular favorite and over the years its popularity has only grown. According to the analytical agency JATO Dynamics, from 2007 to 2021 inclusive, the Volkswagen Golf retained the status of the absolute European bestseller based on annual sales. In 2022, the leadership was seized by the French Peugeot 208 hatchback, and in 2023, the American electric crossover Tesla Model Y took first place. In January-February of this year, the Volkswagen Golf took second place in the ranking of the best-selling new cars in Europe after the Dacia Sandero: sold 38,081 and 45,777 pcs. accordingly.
Various versions of the first generation Volkswagen Golf 1/8 Various versions of the first generation Volkswagen Golf 2/8 Various versions of the first generation Volkswagen Golf 3/8 Various versions of the Volkswagen Golf first generation 4/8 Various versions of the first generation Volkswagen Golf 5/8 Various versions of the first generation Volkswagen Golf 6/8 Various versions of the first generation Volkswagen Golf 7/8 Various versions of the first Volkswagen Golf generation 8/8
Golf fans cannot agree on which generation of the model is considered the most successful and benchmark for its class and time, but many agree that the current eighth generation is the most unsuccessful: this generation is blamed for the controversial design of the front end and a bunch of ergonomic flaws associated with the introduction of touch buttons into the cabin. Volkswagen has already admitted that they have gone too far with the sensors, but they cannot quickly get rid of them — so be patient for now, dear golfers. Let's hope that the ninth generation of Golf will be less controversial than the eighth and will not upset fans of this model.
Eight generations of Volkswagen Golf in one frame 1/2 Eight generations of Volkswagen Golf in one frame 2/2
The ninth generation of Golf, by the way, it might not have been, because five years ago Volkswagen management made a big bet on the Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatchback: it was presented as an epoch-making product on the level of the Beetle and Golf — they say, the ID.3 should become just as successful and widespread. Unfortunately or fortunately, sales of the Volkswagen ID.3 turned out to be much lower than expected, so it was decided to continue the evolution of the Golf model. And in light of the global slowdown in demand for electric vehicles that began last year, Golf fans even hope that the ICE versions will continue in the ninth generation — let’s see if these hopes come true.
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