Throughout the past 45 years, the Volkswagen Golf has sold more than 35 million cars. A person decides to purchase a new Golf every 40 seconds, just mathematically speaking, somewhere in the world. For seven generations, it has been the vehicle that has allowed for universal automotive growth. No matter the generation, the Golf embodied versatility, functionality, dependability, and quality unlike any other vehicle, according to Dieter Landenberger, head of Heritage VW. "The secret of the Golf's success was and is the sum of its traits," he adds. Since its debut in 1974, it has been referred to as the famous forerunner of the compact class, also known as the "Golf Class." Since then, the Golf has forced everyone else to compete. Due to the Golf's status as a global bestseller, not just locally but also internationally.