Ben Pon – The Visionary Behind the Volkswagen Transporter

Bernardus Marinus “Ben” Pon Sr. (April 27, 1904 – May 15, 1968) was a Dutch businessman and automotive pioneer best known for his pivotal role in introducing Volkswagen vehicles to the Netherlands and conceptualising what would become the Volkswagen Type 2 – the iconic Transporter.

Early Life and Family Business

Born in Amersfoort, Netherlands, Ben Pon was the son of Mijndert Pon, who ran a family shop selling sewing machines, tobacco, and eventually Opel bicycles and motorbikes. By the 1920s, the business had evolved into a dealership for Opel and Ford vehicles, along with Continental tyres.

In 1931, Ben and his brother Wijnand took over the business, renaming it Pon’s Automobielhandel.

Volkswagen and Porsche Importer

  • On 8 August 1947, Pon’s Automobielhandel became the first dealer outside Germany to import and sell Volkswagen cars.
  • The first shipment included 51 Volkswagen Beetles delivered from Wolfsburg.
  • In 1948, the company became an official Porsche importer as well.

The Birth of the Volkswagen Type 2

In 1947, during a visit to the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, Pon observed a parts-mover used by factory workers. Inspired, he sketched a concept for a new kind of commercial vehicle—simple, spacious, and rear-engined. This sketch laid the groundwork for the development of the Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter, introduced in 1950 and destined to become a worldwide symbol of utility and freedom.

Exporting to the United States

  • In 1949, Pon exported the first Volkswagen Beetle to the USA.
  • By 1960, half a million Beetles had been sold in the States.
  • By 1962, that number had grown to over a million, with Pon credited as one of the earliest exporters of the Beetle to the American market.

Business Legacy

  • In 1971, Pon’s dealership business became Pon Dealer, separating from the export division.
  • The business expanded to include Audi, further strengthening its position in the automotive sector.
  • In 1980, Ben Pon Jr. (former Formula One driver) founded Pon Holdings, which would grow into a diverse and global enterprise.

Conclusion

Ben Pon Sr. played a critical role in the globalisation of the Volkswagen brand and was instrumental in the creation of one of the most iconic vans in history. His entrepreneurial foresight helped shape the automotive landscape of the 20th century, and his legacy lives on through both the vehicles he helped create and the family business he built into an international powerhouse.