During the 1960's, VW's reputation in the US was built on contrarian
advertising (which is why it appealed to what was then called the
counterculture, ie., hippies, New Lefties, and the like.) American cars were
big and heavy and fast and powerful. VW's, especially the bug, were marketed
as exactly the opposite, as though they intended to strike a blow at
American Capitalism and all that was wrong with American bourgeois life in
general.

Now look at VW's advertising; they've joined the pack. Fast, powerful, sleek
Jettas and Tourags...

Worshipping power is a hallmark of fascism. Part of the reason I like my 1.9
is exactly that it is slow...not powerful...