Volkswagen has motored to a milestone production anniversary by building its 150-millionth vehicle since the brand was founded.

Volkswagen has reached a milestone production anniversary – 150 million vehicles, including icons such as the Golf or the Beetle, built around the world at more than 50 production sites in 14 countries since the brand was founded more than 80 years ago.

The milestone car, a blue Golf GTE, rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg. The plug-in hybrid is a symbol of the future of mobility at Volkswagen – and at the same time, it is testimony to a powerful team performance.

Dr Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen, said: '150 million vehicles – that means we have made the dream of owning a car come true 150 million times for customers all over the world.'

This year alone, Volkswagen is launching more than 10 new models worldwide. There will be 19 new sport utility vehicles in total by 2020. The I.D. family with the new electric architecture (MEB) then marks the start of the Volkswagen brand's electric offensive from 2020. One million electric Volkswagens are to hit the road by 2025.

Bernd Osterloh, chairman of the Volkswagen Group and General Works Council, said: '150 million vehicles – that is a truly incredible number. It is 150 million Volkswagens that have taken their drivers hundreds of thousands of kilometers, commuting to work, enjoying leisure time, going on vacation, or travelling on business.'

The series production of the Volkswagen brand began on December 27, 1945 with the Type 1 Käfer. In the post-war era, it was the Volkswagen Beetle that initially shaped the automobile industry. All in all, 21.5 million examples of this much-loved small car were built before production finally ended in Mexico in 2003.

The Golf topped the Beetle record. The 25-millionth Volkswagen Golf left the assembly line in Wolfsburg in 2007, by 2013 the number had already risen to 30 million. Today, the best-selling Golf is in the seventh generation and production has reached more than 34 million worldwide.

The Volkswagen brand's product portfolio currently includes more than 60 models worldwide. Apart from the Beetle and the Golf, more than 20 million Passats, 19.5 million Jettas and almost 17 million Polos have been produced.

The workforce at the main plant in Wolfsburg in particular has made a key contribution to today's anniversary, building more than 44 million vehicles since production began 72 years ago.