Word: volkswagens
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...single product could take credit for West Germany's "economic miracle," it would be the Volkswagen Beetle. Since the start of production 36 years ago, 18 million copies of the inelegant rear-engine car designed by Ferdinand Porsche have been sold round the world; yet now the world's joyride with the Beetle appears to have stalled, so thoroughly that production has ground to a temporary halt...
Worldwide sales of Volkswagenwerk AG have slumped 21.6% so far this year, and officials openly predict that the company in 1974 will suffer the first full-year loss in its history. (Profits in 1973 were $40 million; at their peak in 1966 they totaled $151 million.) Last week Volkswagen closed down most of its West German plants and gave 45,000 workers a two-week furlough with partial...
Company spokesmen cite rising costs as the principal cause of Volkswagen's financial troubles. During 1974, they say, the company faces wage increases of $221 million and a jump of more than $301 million in material and shipping costs. Moreover, the oil crisis has left a lingering reluctance on the part of many consumers to buy new cars, even the gas-efficient, economy Beetle...
Even in Europe, Volkswagen is meeting increasingly stiff competition from small-car competitors like Simca and Opel, and this year's sales in West Germany have dropped 18%. Despite the high price of fuel, Volkswagen has even been losing a good share of its market to the much thirstier Mercedes-Benz, suggesting to some VW officials that the beloved Beetle configuration may have finally outlived its attractiveness. As a result, the company that once turned a one-model line into an advertising asset has been introducing a whole new array of cars...
...subject called Who's Who on Texas Highways & Bi-ways. A dermatologist selected SKIN for his plate, a surgeon chose CUT UP, and a dentist picked SAY AHH. The owner of a mattress shop took SLEEP, a salvage contractor used JUNKIE, and a pharmacist chose PILL. Various Volkswagen owners have labeled their beetles LUV BUG, V-DBL-U and EL BUG. Ernest Campbell of Dallas could not resist SOUP, and Eli H. Lipton of the same city coyly selected T BAGS. Clergymen have embraced such identifications as 4 JESUS and TRY GOD. OOOOPS was the plate that...