VOLKSWAGEN claims to be the first automotive manufacturer in Europe to reach the 100-million vehicle production milestone.

It achieved it with a Touran 1.9-litre TDi, which came off the production line in Wolfsburg, Germany.

A company spokesman said: ‘Volkswagen’s road to success began with the now legendary Beetle. Production in Wolfsburg began in 1945 with 1,800 Beetles produced over the year. Output from the factory then steadily increased and only five years later the 100,000th Volkswagen left the assembly line. At the time, the range consisted not only of the Beetle, but also the T1 Transporter.

‘The model range continued to grow. Seven Beetle models and a total of five Golf generations are milestones in this development. More than 21.5 million Beetles, 23 million Golfs and 13 million Passats, as well as nine million Polos, are further confirmation of Volkswagen’s success. In 2002, Golf production overtook that achieved by the Beetle, in turn setting a new record for the Volkswagen brand.’