The Tatra automobile manufacturer was founded in the modern-day Czech Republic in 1850 and is known today as Tatra Trucks. After an early takeover by the Germans in WWII, the Tatra brand produced many military vehicles for the war effort. Tatra cars, designed by Austrian engineer Hans Ledwinka, influenced Ferdinand Porsche and the Volkswagen Beetle. The Tatra 97, with its rear-mounted air-cooled engine, and the V570 had much in common with the "Beetle" and the Porsche 356. During communist rule, the company produced such cars as the 613 and 603. Today the company produces industrial trucks such as the T 815, which is still available with air-cooled engines of various sizes.