In 1934, Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned to build a small, inexpensive car at the request of Adolph Hitler. His answer -- a beetle-shaped sedan that was called a Volkswagen (German for "people's car") -- debuted two years later. World War II delayed production of the vehicle; the factory suffered extensive damage during combat, and was ultimately taken over by the British Army. The company was renamed Volkswagen, and the town at the factory was renamed Wolfsburg (after Werner von Schulenberg of Wolfsburg, who had been forced to surrender his land for the construction of the town and factory). By the end of the 1940s, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle had begun. The model made its first appearance on U.S. The 1950s saw Volkswagen broadening its product range, adding the Bus (Type 2) to its lineup. The Bus, especially, proved quite popular due to its versatility. Volkswagen's star rose during the 1960s, its success fueled largely by the breakout success of the Beetle. The car benefited from an effective advertising campaign and from an appearance in a popular Disney movie.
By the close of the decade, Volkswagen's yearly output of Beetles topped the 1 million mark. In 1972, with more than 15 million units assembled, the Beetle topped the world production record set by Ford's Model T. Mid-decade saw the launch of a new era of Volkswagens that had front-mounted, water-cooled engines driving the front wheels. The Passat (Dasher in the U.S.) was the first of the new breed and was built using standardized components that could be used interchangeably among other models in the manufacturer's lineup. The Passat was soon joined by the Golf (Rabbit in the U.S.), which met with immediate success. By the end of the decade, the manufacturer's lineup had grown to include the Scirocco sport coupe and the performance-oriented Golf/Rabbit GTI. The Beetle, however, was discontinued for the U.S. The Golf grew in popularity during the '80s, becoming Volkswagen's most popular model. When a second generation of the car was built in 1983, it was crafted in a mostly automated process using robots -- marking the first time robots had been used in vehicle manufacture.
By the mid-'80s, the U.S. Rabbit name for "Golf." The higher-performance Golf GTI helped the manufacturer make waves on the rally circuit. In 1986, Volkswagen Motorsport nabbed the title of Group A World Rally Champions. Volkswagen saw its sales in the North American market tumble during the early '90s, but by the end of the decade, refocused marketing efforts and an increased emphasis on new products had brought about a turnaround in the company's fortunes. The popular New Beetle helped put the company back on the radar in the United States (though it fared less successfully in European markets). The new millennium saw Volkswagen moving into the luxury segment with the launch of the pricey Phaeton sedan and Touareg SUV. Though well-designed and executed, the Phaeton was a disappointment sales-wise, perhaps signaling unwillingness on the part of consumers to shell out premium dollars for a brand that lacks the cachet of established upscale names like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Luckily, Volkswagen has seen success with other vehicles in its lineup, which currently includes everything from family-oriented sedans to roomy SUVs. Today, the automaker enjoys a reputation for crafting vehicles that offer refined handling and upscale accommodations.
Algae farms are built under highway overpasses to absorb automotive pollution. Algae will grow in high salinity and in wastewater, so no clean drinking water will be diverted. The art and science of optimized algae cultivation is just starting to grow. The process must be efficient both economically and spatially to be effective. The US Department of Energy estimates that for the nation's fossil fuel use to be replaced by algae fuel grown in open ponds, it would take 15,000 square miles. That's half the size of Maine. Improved growing methods will decrease the amount of land needed. The research is expensive and currently the cost of algae fuel is above other plant sources. Algae-sourced products have the potential to reduce pollution on this planet, but the methods for growing, utilizing and maximizing algae need to be improved. The population will not change unless the alternative is cheaper and easier. More bright minds need to bring fresh ideas. What do you need to learn to be part of the shift? Begin with a solid education in biology and botany. Learn how algae grow and how to manipulate desired genetic traits. Then follow your interests into biotechnology, engineering, chemistry and applied science. Find a school that will let you get your fingers green. There is no substitute for hands-on experience. Become familiar with the organisms and new ideas will come.
With the high gas prices which are readily seen on the market today, individuals who are looking to purchase a new car are perusing the options with fuel efficiency in mind. Recently, an alarming phenomenon has been taking place. In the last few months, gas prices have been increasing at staggering rates which has led to individuals rethinking their automobile purchase choices. For those people who are currently in the market for a new vehicle, the high price of gas that has recently been seen has pushed them to consider other, more fuel-efficient automobiles. As one never knows when gas prices will decrease, thinking in terms of purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle may be on the forefront of a number of individual鈥檚 minds. The high price of gasoline is an important factor which individuals consider when purchasing a new vehicle or even trading in their old car for a more recent model.
