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THE TRABANT, THE ICONIC EAST GERMAN , TURNS 60

1989: The Trabi becomes the iconic 'car of the year'

The model became world famous when the Wall came down, as thousands ofTrabis lined up to freely cross the border from East to West in 1989, making it the "car of the year." Still, despite its charged symbolism, the Trabant disappeared from Germany's roads quickly afterwards.

Western were sleeker, and the modern automobiles appealed to the reunited nation far more than the compact, less comfortable old­ fashioned vehicle.

In 1991, the production was therefore discontinued. The region where it was made has, however, remained an important location for the German . settled in , Chemnitz and Eisenach and developed the Golf and Polo models tl1ere. has been producing cars there since 1992, along with numerous new suppliers that call Saxony, Tburingia and Saxony-Anhalt their home.

A popular vintage car

While Germans are known for their love ofluxmious cars, i.n the eyes of many, the Trabi remains a cult car. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, around 34,500 Trabants were registered in Germany at the beginning of tlle year.

Trabant owners gather at different fan meetings held all over Germany every year, and different companies allow tourists to drive around in them as well.

Even Google has celebrated tlle East German car's iconic legacy. In its Google Doodle for the 2017 Day of German Unity, the tech giant created a whimsical image featuring a blue Trabi aJongside a red West German Volkswagen.

The Trabant, the iconic East German car, turns 60

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