Down the Hatch

Where do new GTIs come from? Volkswagen dramatizes the mysterious processes with the help of this cute bicycle-chain assembly line. From a Plexiglas cube of candy-red pebbles, a line of tiny cars marches forth. They each disappear into a hidden drop-box, from which a curious reporter can retrieve one, along with a sheet of decals for custom body graphics. While grown-ups know the cars on the chain are attached and recycled continuously, it’s neat to pretend that the one you scoop up from the box is the same one you just saw go by on the assembly line. VW definitely takes the cake for best souvenir.