I could say that the Austin Maxi did those in 1969, although for some reason no one wanted to build it under licence. But the Autobianchi Primula also had hatch

I could say that the Austin Maxi did those in 1969, although for some reason no one wanted to build it under licence. But the Autobianchi Primula also had hatchback variants and was before that, and unlike the Maxi had the gearbox in a sensible place. Everyone ultimately nicks the bits that work for everyone else of course. I guess the Golf gets a bit more focus because of the names longevity (and that the Mk I Golf was executed excellently), and perhaps because the article is US focussed so misses some of the cars being mostly sold in Europe only.