The Volkswagen Bus, also known as the VW Type 2, was first introduced in 1950 as a successor to the VW Beetle. It was designed as a panel van and was initially only available in a single-cab configuration. Over the years, the Bus underwent several design changes, and different variations, including a pickup truck version and a passenger van version, were introduced. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Bus became particularly popular in the United States as a symbol of counterculture and freedom. Production of the Bus continued until 2013, when it was officially discontinued due to declining sales and new safety regulations.