Sometimes a model just runs its course and after most people who want one have one, it needs to end for awhile. Especially one that is such a "niche" model.
In a decade or less, we'll get an EV Beetle.
We just received this news from Volkswagen. TL;DR? The Beetle is dead after the 2019 model year.
Is the Beetle really gone forever, or just skipping a few years of production? Sure, that’s happened before–U.S. sales of the original Beetle ended in 1979–but this announcement marks the first time that production of the Beetle has stopped worldwide (assuming you consider the New Beetle to be a continuation of the nameplate).
Has Volkswagen finally fulfilled their dream from the ‘70s, and ditched the Beetle in favor of the Golf? Or is this just a PR stunt before they release the next generation of Beetle? Let us know what you think in the comments.
VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES BEETLE FINAL EDITION
Special models celebrate Beetle’s rich heritage as third-generation is set to end production in 2019
Herndon, VA (September 13, 2018) — Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will end production of the iconic Beetle in 2019. To celebrate the Beetle’s rich heritage, two special models will join the lineup for its last model year—Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL.
“The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades, will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle’s many devoted fans,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “As we move to being a full-line, family-focused automaker in the U.S. and ramp up our electrification strategy with the MEB platform, there are no immediate plans to replace it. But as we have seen with the I.D. BUZZ—which is the modern and practical interpretation of the legendary Bus—I would also say, ‘Never say never.’ We’re excited to kick off a year of celebrating one of the true icons of the automotive world, with a series of events that will culminate in the end of production in Puebla in July 2019.”
Sometimes a model just runs its course and after most people who want one have one, it needs to end for awhile. Especially one that is such a "niche" model.
In a decade or less, we'll get an EV Beetle.
I feel old. I remember the last time that was a headline.
I had heard it would require a major redesign and that a 3rd Retro Beetle didn't really seem right as even this New Beetle design is now 20 yrs old.
Can the New New Beetle be a production Fun Cup car?
My first two cars were AC VWs, so I have a strong affection for them. The "new" beetle just didn't do anything for me.
A new beetle as a cheeky low cost EV might work well. VW is already bringing back the bus as an EV.
In reply to Vigo :
I'd agree. The overall shape is simply too iconic to go away forever. It just needs a few years for folks to get nostalgic again.
I didn't grow up in the first gen's era but surely much of its popularity and lasting power was due to its modding versatility, right? That and affordability. Neither of those were the case with the new ones. IMO they were rolling half off of nostalgia and half off of cute. The question then is how much nostalgia will kids have in 20 years for the cutesy car from the 90s? Or will its design still be a staple of Americana and sell accordingly
I was always startled by how much I liked seeing the current A5 generation of Beetle in the wild. It's a shame that the cutesy New Beetle version ever happened.
It was pretty clear they where struggling with it just from a design perspective. That slightly squashed on and slightly squared fender thing they did a few years ago just seemed to be change for change sake.
Just like the original design, there really is no need or good way to change the design as it was. The only significant design changes in the original Beetle (ignoring required safety changes) were changes to the size of the windows.
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