In November 1938 Porsche completed a prototype vehicle based on the Volkswagen designated the Kubelwagen Type 62. Kubelwagen is short for Kubelsitzwagen, (bucket seat car). The Type 62 lacked good cross-country performance so ground clearance was increased and a modified gear ratio. This gave birth to the Type 82 and in 1940 mass production began at the Volkswagen factory. By early 1943 20,000 vehicles were produced with the total reaching 50,435 by the end of WWII. The Kubelwagen was to Germany what the Jeep was to the Allies.