The Volkswagen Type 2, often referred to as the Kombi or VM Bus, is another iconic vehicle from Volkswagen. Here are some curiosities about the VW Kombi:
- Inspiration from a Simple Plank: The idea for the VW Kombi came from a simple motorized plank. Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon visited the Wolfsburg plant in Germany in 1947. He noticed a flat parts-mover vehicle made from a stripped-down Beetle chassis and was inspired to sketch out a simple boxy van, which event威而鋼
ually became the Kombi.
- Multiple Names: The Kombi has been known by many different names around the world, reflecting its global popularity. It is often referred to as the “Microbus” in the US, “Samba” in the UK, and “Kombi” in Australia and South Africa. It’s also been called “Bulli” in Germany, “Combi” in France, and “Pão de Forma” (loaf of bread) in Portugal due to its distinctive shape.
- First Minivan: The Kombi was the forerunner of modern cargo and passenger vans, making it essentially the world’s first minivan. The design was so versatile that it was used as a camper, cargo van, and passenger van.
- Long Production Run: The Kombi had a remarkably long production run. The original was produced from 1950 until 2013. It was made in Germany until 1979, but production continued in Brazil until December 2013, making it the longest produced model in automotive history.
- End of an Era: The Kombi had to cease production because it couldn’t be adapted to meet modern safety regulations. The final edition of the Kombi, known as the “Last Edition,” was produced in Brazil in 2013. Only 600 units of these were produced, marking the end of an era.
- Cultural Icon: Just like the Beetle, the Kombi has also become a cultural icon. It became a symbol of the counter-culture movement in the 1960s and is often associated with the hippie movement.
- Electric Future: As of my knowledge cutoff in 2021, Volkswagen had announced the ID. BUZZ, an electric reinterpretation of the iconic Microbus. It’s expected to hit the market in a few years and symbolizes Volkswagen’s commitment to electric mobility. This concept is a modern take on the classic Kombi, designed with the same practicality and sense of adventure in mind, but powered by electricity.
