A few months later, when the 2012 Beetle was revealed in an ad proclaiming, “It’s a guy,” people began to discuss the car’s manly appearance. Talk about VW ditching the female-centric design of the Volkswagen Beetle to increase sales and appeal to more customers was spurred by the vehicle’s streamlined, flattened body and elimination of the previous model’s effervescent, attractive elements (ahem, flower vase).
According to Darryll Harrison Jr., Volkswagen’s public relations manager, “the current-generation VW Beetle was created to be a contemporary rendition of the original model. ” The newest Volkswagen Beetle’s design is also more daring than the previous iteration, effectively attracting new buyers to the VW brand.
Men applauded Volkswagen’s decision at water fountains and online, but did they actually buy it? We examined the Volkswagen Beetle’s sales figures after a few years to determine whether or not its increased machismo paid off.
According to Volkswagen, men bought 24% of VW Beetle coupes (women bought 76% of them) and 29% of Beetle convertibles throughout the New Beetle generation (1998-2011). (women purchased 71 percent). According to statistics for the current generation Volkswagen Beetle, women buy 65 percent and men 35 percent of the coupes and convertibles, respectively.
“We have discovered that the new, more aggressive design has drawn more male clients as well as feminine ones. Harrison stated of the VW car’s new design: “The new male purchasers who bought the Beetle reflect incremental sales increases over the previous-generation model.”
The VW Beetle is thus being purchased by more guys. But despite the fact that more men are generally purchasing the iconic insect, fewer Beetles have been sold. Despite more men attending the Beetle party, statistics indicate that it wasn’t enough to offset the model’s sluggish sales.
The New Beetle’s annual sales reached in the 80,000 range in 1999 and 2000, he claimed. ” That represented roughly 0.5 percent of total industry sales at the time, which was unusual for a sporty, two-door vehicle with constrained family utility.
Harrison claimed that despite a general fall in sales following its redesign, the VW Beetle is still doing well. The Beetle of the current generation has been a hit and is still among the brand’s staple vehicles. What does Oprah think, though?
Editor’s note: On December 30, this article was modified to reflect that 65% of women purchase the current-generation Beetle.
In This Article...
Why are Volkswagen Beetles so popular?
If you’re looking through the secondhand car market, you can choose from a number of generations of the Volkswagen Beetle. The Beetle is an obvious choice if you appreciate the way vintage automobiles look but don’t want to pay a lot of money for a collector car. If you enjoy a little performance, you might be pleasantly surprised by the turbo Beetle. They are a fantastic option for a daily driver or commuter car because they are compact, get decent fuel economy, and are also affordable to acquire and repair, making them a smart choice for a first automobile.
Which insects are valuable?
- The 1978 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 deserves special mention.
- 53 | $37,950 | Volkswagen Beetle from 1977.
- Volkswagen Beetle, 1957, $38,500.
- 49 | $38,500 | 1979 Volkswagen Cabriolet “Epilogue”
- 54 Volkswagen Beetle | 49 | $38,500
- Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet from 1979, 49, $38,500.
- 47|$39,000|1977 Volkswagen Beetle “Champagne” Cabriolet.
What’s the value of vintage VW Beetles?
The 1950 VW Beetle has maintained its value in the $13,500 to 18,064 range for more than ten years. Around $28,000 is often where the price reaches its peak. The typical price you should anticipate paying for a 1950s Volkswagen Beetle in 2022 is $14,400. Despite the common automotive adage that “the older the car, the lower the price,” some of the oldest classic cars are more expensive than the newer classics. This only applies to models in pristine condition. Contrary to later model years, 1950s Beetles are extremely uncommon today. They have been on the road for longer, therefore it would be difficult, to put it mildly, to locate a model with lesser mileage. The versions with higher mileage, which cost roughly $6,000, frequently have maintenance difficulties, a few dings, and a few small paint blemishes on the body.
Some 1950s VW Beetles have sold for more than $70,000, with one or two cars topping the $100,000 price mark, due to the scarcity of good condition models. For instance, the VW Beetle Zwitter is the rarest model of Volkswagen Beetle. Beginning in October 1952, production of this model continued through March 1953. The split window on the back of the vehicle distinguishes the Zwitter trim from the other vehicles.
What year Volkswagen Beetle is the best to purchase?
The VW Beetle’s durability and resale value are highest for the model year 2005. Volkswagen made a special effort to create a Beetle with excellent durability and stability after the 2004 model gained notoriety for its transmission faults and window regulator concerns.
Additionally, they made sure that it required very little upkeep. If it ever malfunctions, parts are easily accessible.
And you never gave anything up to get this toughness. For the 2005 model year, there were four trim levels, and each one offered a comfortable and responsive ride. Four individuals may sit comfortably inside, and it had a great appearance.
What Volkswagen Bug is the most coveted?
Which VW Beetle is the most well-liked? Although the 1967 model is the most desirable among collectors, used-car purchasers prefer the 2017 model.
Which VW Beetle year is the most rare?
The Zwitter, which was built from October 1952 to March 1953 and is the most uncommon Volkswagen Beetle, is distinguished by a split window on the back of the vehicle. Production of the car was stopped when it was discovered that the split window in the back was impairing drivers’ view.
Are vintage Volkswagen Beetles a wise investment?
- The cost of insurance for a vintage Volkswagen Beetle is very low, and if the vehicle is older than 30 years, it is also exempt from routine MOT inspections. You may save time and money by driving a vintage vehicle like this on a daily basis.
- It won’t cost the earth to purchase VW bug parts. The routine maintenance on this kind of vehicle is, for the most part, rather straightforward, and the majority of owners are able to handle the issues themselves and, when necessary, even replace a few VW Beetle parts. An auto mechanic can be needed for more complicated problems.
- The VW Beetle is a straightforward automobile in contrast to modern automobiles, which are loaded with technology and call for high-tech mechanics when something goes wrong. They don’t have complicated emissions controls or technology, so keeping them up and running is cheap and straightforward. Their physical state appears to be their main constraint. Modern vehicles can run for years without rust troubles, but VW Bugs are more susceptible to them. However, unlike their contemporary rivals, a VW Beetle is not doomed to an early demise by rust. The body can be repaired and the rust removed using a variety of techniques.
- Your Beetle won’t lose value over time. Unless you neglect it, the price you spend for it today will most likely be the price you can get for it when you sell it in five years. The classic status of the item means that its value can only rise. As a result, investing a little extra money in it is worthwhile.
- What term comes to mind when you hear the word “classic”? You’re not the only one if it’s “expensive.” Despite this, VW Beetles are still reasonably priced today. The main expense will be in any necessary repairs to the VW Beetle parts, which is why it is crucial to carefully inspect the car for rust and any gearbox or engine issues. Remember that the price will vary depending on the type of VW Bug you purchase. For instance, convertible Beetles are always going to cost extra. Additionally expensive will be restored Beetles.
- In the snow, a daily-driver VW Bug handles nicely. Although they are rear-wheel-drive vehicles, they still possess a blizzard. They are able to achieve this because to their tires’ size and height as well as the fact that the air-cooled engine is mounted directly above the rear wheels.
Why does Volkswagen no longer produce the Beetle?
As far as we know, VW has never given a formal response. However, based on our study, we have been able to put together a few major explanations for the decision to halt manufacture of what is undoubtedly the most iconic car in history:
- Electrification The idea that Volkswagen discontinued the Beetle so they could concentrate more on impending electric vehicles is another frequently advanced argument. This is a legitimate argument, but not nearly as compelling as the one based on sales performance, since there is no question that VW, along with the majority of other manufacturers, has moved its focus to electrification.
- Platform-sharing
- The A4 and A5 platforms from Volkswagen served as the foundation for the New Beetle generations. Online rumors indicate that one of the reasons VW canceled the Beetle was due to the technical difficulties associated with switching to the Volkswagen Group MQB Platform. This assertion, coupled with the Beetle’s low sales record, was cited as another justification for the decision.
- Sales effectiveness and buyer preferences
- The Beetle’s poor sales performance was the primary factor in VW ceasing production. Volkswagen attributed the termination of production of the original Beetle in 2003 to diminishing demand. When the final model left the Mexican assembly line, it was still essentially an old automobile, despite modifications and revisions over the years. Following the decline of the original Beetle in Western nations, the markets where it was successful also “The outmoded Beetle had been sufficiently modernized to the point where it was no longer practical. In the late 1990s, The New Beetle was introduced in an effort to “Profit on the fondness for the original vehicle. The New Beetle and its successor, the New New Beetle, never sold in particularly large quantities, despite some early success (due to the market preferring the blend of retro appeal and new amenities). By 2018, Volkswagen’s total sales were made up of around 4% of the A5 Beetle. It was a specialized product that was just not making enough money to support its continued manufacturing. Consumer preferences had evolved away from affordable hatchbacks and toward SUV/crossover vehicles. As a result of the model’s low sales results, it was discontinued.