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Originally Posted by Superman
There were lots of Volkswagen (Kdf-wagen) cars made during the war...
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Of course, there were. I meant
no cars were ever made for civilians, even though many bought into a purchase plan. Sorry for being unclear on this point.
To me, there wouldn't have been a Volkswagen if it weren't for Ivan Hirst given the way history actually unfolded. Since Ferdinand Porsche had working designs prior to the Hitler connection, it is at least possible a Beetle-like car may have developed into production if Porsche could have found financing.
Predicting alternate history aside, I think Hirst had more to do with the current existence of Volkswagen, the company, than Hitler. Furthermore, regardless of everyone's varied but valid opinions here, I think we should at least agree that Volkswagen, the company, is right on distancing itself from its Nazi heritage. I am empathetic since I, too, have a Nazi heritage in my genealogical past I detest.