Volkswagen has announced the discontinuation of its Beetle model after 21 years in the market. The iconic car, conceived in the early 1930s, had a production period of 65 years and over 21. 5 million units, making it the longest-running single-generation automobile. The Beetle was rebranded as the Type 1 and later as the Beetle to distance itself from its Nazi roots.
Despite rumors about a revived Beetle for the electric era, the German automaker has not made any plans to resurrect the Beetle after manufacturing ends in mid-July. Production continues until next year in the UK, but VW has stopped taking orders.
The last Beetle model will be produced at Volkswagen’s plant in Puebla, Mexico, marking the end of production for the iconic vehicle. The Beetle has been sold in Germany since the 1970s, but production continued at the Puebla facility until 2003. In the U. S., the Beetle was sold between 1950 and 1979 under the New Beetle era, from 1998 to 2011 and 2012 to 2019 for the last generation.
To celebrate the heritage of the Beetle, two special models, the Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL, were produced for the final-year. Although the original Beetle was still manufactured until 2010, the New Beetle was produced from 1998 to 2019.
As of 2020, Volkswagen is no longer producing the Beetle, but the original Beetle was still manufactured until 2010 for some countries, while the New Beetle was produced from 1998 to 2019. The modern edition of the iconic Volkswagen model is set to cease production on Wednesday, but people in Cuautepec, Mexico City, can still enjoy the nostalgia of the iconic Beetle.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Saying Goodbye to Beetle: Why We Loved the Beetle Final … | To celebrate the heritage of the Beetle, two special models — the Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL — were produced for the final-year … | vw.com |
| Volkswagen Beetle | Its production period of 65 years is the longest of any single generation of automobile, and its total production of over 21.5 million is the most of any car of … | en.wikipedia.org |
| Why do they no more produce the traditional VW beetle? | Are modern Volkswagen beetles still being produced? No. VW killed off its New Beetle line in 2019. The original beetle stopped being produced … | quora.com |
📹 End of the road for the Beetle as Volkswagen ends production
Volkswagen is halting production of the last version of its Beetle model this week at its plant in Puebla, Mexico. It’s the end of the …
When Did The Last Volkswagen Beetle Come Out?
On July 10, 2019, Volkswagen held a ceremony in Cuautlancingo, Mexico, marking the end of production for the Volkswagen Beetle after 21 successful years in the market. The New Beetle variant launched in 1997 and was produced until 2010, with the last of that generation rolling off the assembly line in Puebla, Mexico. The Beetle, known for its distinctive shape, has a storied history dating back to its introduction in 1938, becoming one of the most iconic cars in automotive history.
Notably, the last unit produced since World War II was a baby-blue model in 2003. Over the years, the Beetle underwent numerous modifications, transforming from the original "Pretzel Beetle" to the modern "Mexico Beetle." Volkswagen produced different configurations, such as standard beetles (1300s) and superbugs (1600s), offering diverse engine options in various markets, including the U. S. There is nostalgia around this iconic car, highlighted by its unique water-cooled front-engine design akin to the Volkswagen Golf.
The Beetle was sold in the U. S. from 1950 to 1979 and saw revivals in 1998-2011 and 2012-2019. The end of the Beetle symbolizes the conclusion of an era for a vehicle that captivated automotive enthusiasts worldwide, believed to be foundational in car culture.
Will There Be A Revived Volkswagen Beetle?
Volkswagen (VW) has decided against reviving the iconic Beetle, which was discontinued in 2019. Despite the enduring popularity and historical significance of the Beetle in establishing the VW brand, CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed that there are no plans to bring it back, even for the electric era. Rumors about an electric Beetle have circulated for years, igniting hope among enthusiasts, but VW has made it clear that there will be no direct successor to the beloved model.
The original Beetle was a symbol of a generation, prompting VW to relaunch it in 1997 after a two-decade hiatus. However, while certain nameplates are viewed as essential for the brand, the Beetle is not perceived as one that defines VW’s future direction. The automotive giant aims to focus on new electric vehicle developments rather than reviving past models like the Beetle.
As of now, Volkswagen has not officially included the Beetle in its electric vehicle lineup, leaving many fans disappointed. The absence of a successor since the last model rolled off the production line in 2019 marks the end of an era for this iconic car. Though the Beetle's legacy is profound, the company is shifting its focus away from this historic nameplate in favor of future innovations in the EV sector.
Are Volkswagen Beetles Still Made In Germany?
The Volkswagen Beetle, a global automotive icon, ended production on Friday, marking the conclusion of a legacy spanning over eight decades. Originally conceived by Adolf Hitler and developed by Ferdinand Porsche in Nazi Germany in 1938 under the KdF (Kraft durch Freude) organization, the Beetle was intended to be an affordable "people's car." Hitler commissioned the project to promote mobility for the masses, and the foundation stone for the Volkswagen factory was ceremoniously laid on May 26, 1938.
Despite wartime delays, the Beetle became a symbol of post-war recovery and pop culture worldwide. Production in Germany ceased in 1978 at the Emden plant as demand waned, but manufacturing continued in countries like Australia, Mexico, and Nigeria. The original Beetle was not produced in Germany after the 1970s, but production persisted in Puebla, Mexico, until July 10, 2019, where later editions, including convertibles, were exclusively made. Over 21, 529, 464 Beetles were built globally, making it one of the most produced cars in history.
The closure of the Puebla plant closes a significant chapter for Volkswagen. The Beetle has profoundly shaped the lives and memories of generations of drivers and remains a pivotal part of automotive history.
How Many Volkswagen Beetles Were Made?
La Volkswagen Beetle, considerada sucesora del Volkswagen Type 1, se produjo durante 21 años en la planta de Cuautlancingo, con más de 17 millones de unidades fabricadas. En julio se marcó el fin de una era para este icónico automóvil, cuya producción duró 65 años, el período más largo de cualquier generación automotriz, y alcanzó más de 21. 5 millones de unidades, la cifra más alta para un modelo de una sola plataforma.
La primera generación estuvo en producción entre 1939 y 2003, logrando más de 20 millones de ventas, aunque sus sucesores, como el New Beetle de 1998, no tuvieron el mismo éxito, con ventas de 1. 16 millones.
El 17 de febrero de 1972, se produjo el ejemplar 15, 007, 034 en Wolfsburg, Alemania, superando un récord previo de producción. Aunque las ventas en EE. UU. comenzaron lentas en los años 50, pronto se convirtieron en un fenómeno, alcanzando 21 millones vendidos en todo el mundo. Las ventas continuaron bien en EE. UU. hasta 1979, cuando cesaron. A lo largo de la década de 1960, la Beetle vendió más de un millón de unidades anualmente en EE. UU.
El último establecimiento de producción, la planta Volkswagen en Puebla, México, detuvo la fabricación de la Beetle, marcando el cierre de un capítulo significativo en la historia automotriz. Originalmente diseñada como vehículo recreacional, la Beetle vio su uso transformado durante la guerra en variantes militares. Con su forma distintiva, la Beetle sigue siendo uno de los automóviles más emblemáticos de la historia.
Is Volkswagen Beetle Going Out Of Production?
La tercera versión del Volkswagen Beetle, lanzada en 2011, ha llegado a su fin, marcando el cierre de la producción de este icónico modelo. Aunque aún se pueden encontrar vehículos nuevos en el Reino Unido y la producción continuará hasta el año próximo, Volkswagen ya ha dejado de aceptar pedidos. El Beetle, cuya producción fue interrumpida durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial para fabricar vehículos militares, se despide tras más de 70 años de historia.
Mi tarea inicial es instalar el parachoques delantero en un Beetle de color Stonewashed Blue que será enviado a un cliente chino. La asamblea del parachoques es sencilla si se trabaja con varios vehículos, pero no es el caso. Volkswagen ha decidido dar un final digno al modelo Beetle después de siete décadas, con la última unidad -un coupe de color Denim Blue- producida en la planta de Puebla, México, hace dos días. Este anuncio de discontinuación no tomó a nadie por sorpresa, dado que se oficializó en 2019.
El Beetle, considerado uno de los diseños automovilísticos más icónicos, ha lidiado con retos como no cumplir con los estándares de emisiones y un creciente mercado de vehículos más eficientes. A pesar de su legado y popularidad, Volkswagen ha decidido no reemplazarlo y enfocarse en la próxima generación de vehículos eléctricos, como el Microbus de estilo retro. Así, el Beetle queda como un símbolo de la evolución automotriz, marcando el final de una era sin sucesor directo a la vista.
Why Did Volkswagen Rebrand The Beetle?
Volkswagen initially branded the car as the Type 1, later renaming it the Beetle to dissociate from its Nazi origins. By 1955, the company had successfully produced 1 million units of the Type 1 model. The Beetle, recognized officially as the Volkswagen Type 1, was a compact family vehicle manufactured by Volkswagen from 1938 to 2003, becoming one of the most iconic automobiles in history due to its unique shape. The Beetle holds the record for the longest production duration of any automobile at 65 years and boasts over 21. 5 million units produced, outpacing the Ford Model T in 1972.
After World War II, Volkswagen transitioned to manufacturing civilian cars, officially marking the end of the factory's initial ties to Nazi Germany. Despite the British control ending in 1949, Volkswagen GmbH revitalized, aligning with West German federal interests. The Beetle was embraced as a symbol of 1960s counterculture and has been extensively depicted in media.
In 1998, the introduction of the New Beetle showcased a retro design aimed at a contemporary audience. However, by 2019, Volkswagen ceased production of the Beetle, indicating a shift away from outdated designs. Volkswagen's strategic acquisition of Auto-Union in 1965 further influenced its technical direction, though modern platforms like the MQB architecture did not accommodate the Beetle's design. Ultimately, the Volkswagen Beetle stands as a significant example of successful rebranding, marking its passage from a controversial past to a beloved automotive legacy.
📹 VW Beetles: Production of classic ends after seven decades
One of the best-selling cars ever made is driving off into the sunset. Millions of Beetles have rolled off production lines around the …
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