Today marks the 50th anniversary of one of humankind's most incredible achievements: the Apollo 11 moon landing. Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to ever walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. To celebrate the anniversary, Volkswagen has released a nostalgic tribute video titled 'A New Mission' that highlights the cultural similarities between the moon landing in 1969 and current environmental issues. Basically, it's an excuse to show archive footage of vintage VW Microbuses and Beetles that were popular at the time and promote VW's future fleet of electric ID vehicles.

"Volkswagen has been part of some of America's most indelible moments. The moon landing 50 years ago was one of them," said Leo Premutico, Co-Founder and CCO of Johannes Leonardo. "With 'A New Mission' we're tapping into those historic minutes when man touched down on the moon in order to remind the world of what we're capable of when we all focus on one goal and also declare humankind's new mission – protecting the only home we currently know."

Aptly, the video features one of David Bowie's earliest recorded versions of "Space Oddity" from 1969 accompanying footage of the moon landing being watched by millions around the world. The video culminates with a message explaining Volkswagen's current mission: to reduce emissions with its new range of electric ID vehicles and become carbon neutral by 2025.

"As the world's largest automaker, we have a responsibility to lead by example and through the 'Drive Bigger' platform, look at this cultural achievement of putting a man on the moon through a new lens," said Jim Zabel, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Volkswagen of America. "As we take the substantial steps toward our goal of going carbon neutral globally by 2050, and Volkswagen's role in ushering in a new era of electric driving, we invite all to join us to a reinvigorated focus on our planet."

As part of the campaign, VW has also created a print advertisement celebrating the moon landing featuring the iconic Volkswagen Microbus of the 1960s alongside the ID. Buzz Concept that was inspired by the original. The production version of the ID. Buzz is slated to arrive in the US in 2022 after the compact ID. 3 hatchback launches in Europe.