Volkswagen

Founded before World War II as part of the Nazi government's "People's Car" project, the early history of the Beetle is unfortunately problematic. But after the war, in the hands of the occupying British military government, the KdF-Wagen became the iconic Beetle, a sturdy and practical vehicle that not only captured the hearts of millions but transcended its roots to become a symbol of peace. And, yes, a people's car: affordable and reliable. It transformed American notions of what a car needed to be, and so too did the Golf that eventually replaced it. Along the way, the Type 2 van became a cult classic. Volkswagen eventually became a mainline automaker, producing the larger Passat, the Tiguan crossover and the Atlas full-size SUV. Recently, a scandal involving the emissions of the company's diesel engines has tarnished the brand's trustworthiness in the eyes of consumers, but the company hopes that a pivot to the Modular Electric Drive platform will restore its green credentials.