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The Fall of Volkswagen: From Industry Leader to a $200 Billion Burden

Volkswagen, once hailed as the largest automaker in the world, now finds itself entrenched in over $200 billion of debt—an amount that surpasses the GDP of New Zealand. The downfall of this automotive giant is a complex narrative woven from poor investments, deceptive practices, and even criminal allegations, illustrating a significant crisis that erupted from what some have dubbed the biggest scandal in automotive history.

Despite the towering success of the Volkswagen Group, which produced iconic brands such as Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini since its inception in 1937, the company's ambitions spiraled into chaos, catalyzing a financial crisis that has left scars impacting its reputation and future.