alternatehistory.com

Volkswagen in response to the success of front-engined, water-cooled, front wheel drive cars such as the Renault 4 and the Mini, decided to replace the Volkswagen Beetle around 1964, with a similar car (lets call it the Golf). The look of the car would be roughly similar to first prototypes of the Mark I Golf which were done in 1969.





If Volkswagen had made this decision in the mid 1960's (after they took over the factories of Auto Union (Audi)). The resulting car while not being a smash hit would have allowed Volkswagen to remain profitable through the late 1960's and early 1970's. Which would have avoided them being bailed out by the Government of Lower Saxony.

Also unlike the Renault 4, Mini, Honda N360 and Fiat 128, this car would probably be a success in the US market. Particularly if like the Beetle it would be reasonably fast, reliable and had good 0-60mph time. It would inspired Detroit automakers in the late 1960's to create compact front-wheel drives, which would have helped it repel the "Japanese invasion" of the 1970's and 1980's.

Not to mention such a car becoming like the VW Beetle in OTL was the car of choice for the California Hippy Movement.
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