The Volkswagen Jetta is a Golf-derived sedan that’s been a mainstay of the company’s lineup since 1979, but what does its name mean, if anything?
It’s widely believed that the Volkswagen Jetta is named after the Atlantic jet stream, a fast flowing air current that blows from west to east over the Atlantic ocean.
The Jetta name made its debut in 1979 on a sedan and coupe derived from the first generation Golf. At the time Volkswagen had a habit of naming its models are meteorological elements, such as the Golf after the Gulf stream and Passat after a trade wind.
While the Jetta name has been used consistently since its debut in North America, but the Golf-derived sedan has worn many nameplates overseas, including Bora, Vento and Fox.
