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The eBearing News
July 30, 2003
VW Beetle Production Ends Today
copyright © 2003 eBearing Inc.
The very last Volkswagen Beetle -- number 21,529,464 -- will roll off the assembly line in
Puebla, Mexico today.
Designed in 1939 and in continuous production since 1945, the Beetle is the longest-running
model in automotive history.
While the ubiquitous car had a long run, its final build schedule was for a run of only 3,000 special
Ultima Edicion cars with special trim, in beige or light blue. So far this year, VW has sold fewer than
5,000 Beetles in Mexico.
Surviving many changes in taste, economics, politics and culture throughout the decades,
the Beetle was eventually doomed by the relentless march of automotive technology. Serious
crash-safety issues and environmental concerns surrounding its aged, oil-cooled powerplant finally
ensured its demise.
Last sold in Germany in 1974, the Beetle held on in the U.S. marketplace through 1980. For many years,
it was built in Brazil and Puebla, Mexico. The Brazilian line was closed in 1996, leaving Puebla and
the large Mexican market (lacking modern safety equipment and pollution controls, Beetles cannot be sold
legally in most other countries). The largest modern market for the car has been Mexico City's
taxi fleet, where more than 70%, or nearly 100,000 of the cars, are Beetles. In October 2002, however,
new regulations went into effect requiring all new Mexican taxis to have four doors. Many believe the
Beetle, affectionately nicknamed "Vocho," might have soldiered on but for the new taxicab law.
Even with taxicab sales, however, demand has been poor over the past few years. Significantly more
advanced and modern designs became more available and affordable in Mexico. The last 3,000
Ultima Edicion Beetles have a list price of just over USD $8,000.
VW AG's North American head, Jens Neumann, said at a recent ceremony announcing the shutdown, "True
stars know when it's time to retire, and the public knows it, too. This is what is happening to the Beetle."
VW said it will continue to manufacture replacement Beetle parts through at least 2013.
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- by Bruce A. Carr
from individual research,
tips and commercial sources.
Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
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eBearing.com ... for everything that moves™
Entire contents Copyright 1999-2008, eBearing Inc. All rights reserved.
eBearing.com and "... for everything that moves" are registered
trademarks of eBearing Inc.
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eBearing.com ... for everything that moves™
Entire contents Copyright © 1999-2008, eBearing Inc. All rights reserved.
eBearing.com and "... for everything that moves" are registered trademarks of eBearing Inc.
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