Prior to the founding of Volkswagen, there were several other German automakers that produced similar vehicles. These companies included:
* Zündapp: Zündapp was a German motorcycle and automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1917. The company began producing cars in the early 1920s, and its most popular model was the Zündapp Janus, which was introduced in 1957.
* DKW: DKW was a German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer that was founded in 1907. The company produced a variety of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles. DKW's most popular car was the DKW F89, which was introduced in 1939.
* NSU: NSU was a German motorcycle and automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1873. The company began producing cars in the early 1900s, and its most popular model was the NSU Prinz, which was introduced in 1958.
These three companies were the primary forerunners of Volkswagen. Although they were independent companies, they shared a number of similarities. First, all three companies were based in Germany. Second, all three companies produced affordable, small cars that were popular with the general public. Third, all three companies were eventually merged into Volkswagen.
In 1937, the German Labour Front decided to create a new car company that would produce an affordable car for the German people. This company was named Volkswagen, and it was given control over the assets of Zündapp, DKW, and NSU. Volkswagen's first car, the Beetle, was introduced in 1938, and it became one of the most popular cars in the world.
