Question: when did the first volkswagen beetle come out
Answer: The Volkswagen Beetle -- officially the Volkswagen Type 1 , informally in German the Käfer ( literally `` beetle '' ) , in parts of the English - speaking world the Bug , and known by many other nicknames in other languages -- is a two - door , rear - engine economy car , intended for five passengers , that was manufactured and marketed by German automaker Volkswagen ( VW ) from 1938 until 2003 .