The final Volkswagen Beetle produced since World War II rolls off the assembly line at Volkswagen’s plant in Puebla, Mexico, on July 30, 2003. The baby-blue car, one of 3,000 produced in total, was delivered to a museum in Wolfsburg, Germany, home of Volkswagen.
The vehicle made in Puebla on that particular day was the last so-called “The traditional VW Beetle should not be confused with the newly remodeled Beetle that Volkswagen unveiled in 1998. (The new Beetle is based on the VW Golf and resembles the vintage model.) The famous Austrian automotive engineer Dr. Ferdinand Porsche first responded to German leader Adolf Hitler’s desire for a compact, reasonably priced passenger automobile to meet the country’s transportation needs in the middle of the 1930s, giving rise to the iconic Beetle. Hitler dubbed the finished product the KdF (Kraft-durch-Freude)-Wagen (or “Strength-Through-Joy automobile”) after a Nazi-led initiative purportedly intended to aid Germany’s working class; it would subsequently be known by Porsche’s chosen name: Volkswagen, or “people’s car.”
The first Kdf-Wagen that was ready for production made its appearance at the Berlin Motor Show in 1939, and the worldwide press quickly called it the “Beetle due to its recognizable rounded form. Although it was primarily used to produce combat vehicles during World War II, the factory in Kdf-stat (later called Wolfsburg) continued to produce Beetles. Production was put on hold in August 1944 when Allied bombing was a concern, and it didn’t start up again until after the war, under British authority. Although VW sales in the United States started out less quickly than in other countries, by 1960 the Beetle had become the most popular import in the country as a result of a famous advertising campaign by the agency Doyle Dane Bernbach. The renowned Model T from Ford Motor Company, which produced 15 million cars between 1908 and 1927, was eclipsed by the Beetle in 1972. It was heavily featured in the popular 1969 film “The Love Bug” (which featured a Beetle by the name of Herbie) and on the cover of the Beatles album “Abbey Road,” making it a global cultural icon.
However, the Beetle’s rear-mounted, air-cooled engine was outlawed in America in 1977 due to its failure to adhere to safety and emission regulations. By the late 1970s, fewer people were purchasing the vehicle globally, and by 1988, the iconic Beetle was only available in Mexico. Volkswagen decided to stop making the iconic bug in 2003 due to rising competition from other producers of affordable compact vehicles and a Mexican decision to phase out two-door taxis. Incidentally, the original 600 automobiles produced by the Nazis before World War II were excluded from the final count of 21,529,464.
In This Article...
What Is the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle?
The famous Volkswagen Beetle is currently in its final model year as the automaker has stated it would cease production in 2019. The retro-themed Beetle is available as a hatchback or convertible and seats up to four passengers. A six-speed automated transmission and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine each produce 174 horsepower in all models. The Mini Cooper and Fiat 500 are rivals.
What’s New on the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle?
Both a rear cross-traffic alert and a blind spot warning system come as standard. Body-colored door handles, side sills with chrome trim, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals are included in the base S trim level. The Beetle’s final models are the SE and SEL Final Edition vehicles. Both include unique exterior and interior trim, alloy wheels, and other features. Among other improvements, the SEL Final Edition also boasts bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, and LED taillights.
What Features in the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle Are Most Important?
The modern Beetle’s most notable feature is its classic design because it caters more to nostalgia and aesthetics than to functionality. It falls short in terms of interior and cargo room, though, in a time when SUVs rule the market. Although not very thrilling to drive, the Beetle is swift and agile and gets good fuel efficiency.
Should I Buy the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle?
Although old models will be simple to locate for years to come, now is your final opportunity to purchase a new one. The best justification for purchasing a 2019 Beetle, though, is that you genuinely want one because you can’t bank on it becoming a high-end collectible car.
Why did the VW Beetle go out of production?
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:
- 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.
- 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.
What will a 2020 Volkswagen Beetle cost?
In the United States, the 2020 Volkswagen Beetle is a 4 Seater Coupe with prices ranging from $20,895 to $25,995. In the US, it comes with 4 versions, 1 engine, and 1 automatic transmission option. It measures 4277 mm L x 1808 mm W x 1473 mm H, with a ground clearance of 142 mm. More than 1 customers have evaluated the Beetle based on its features, mileage, comfort of the seats, and engine performance.
Will a 2020 VW Beetle be released?
The Volkswagen Beetle for 2020 The brand-new Volkswagen Beetle exhibits the newest design, engineering, and security features. Wireless phone access, a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, a convertible option, and a blind spot warning system are a few of the features that stand out.
Is there a Volkswagen Beetle for 2022?
Volkswagen currently has a lot to be excited about. With new EVs bearing the VW trademark and improved EV charging technologies, Volkswagen is securing its position in the contemporary auto industry. Many fans are now speculating as to whether the producer will bring back its most recognizable automobile brand and produce a 2022 VW Beetle.
There are no present plans for a 2022 Beetle, claims VW SUV Models. But it seems conceivable that they might bring it back soon given the ongoing projects that Volkswagen is working on.
Will there be a VW Beetle in 2021?
The current version of the VW Beetle will end with the 2019 model year, according to a 2018 announcement by Volkswagen. In July 2019, the Beetle’s production ceased. There is currently no information about the future of the VW Beetle, which many people desire to see revived.
With the 2019 VW Beetle, Volkswagen put an end to the third generation of the iconic car’s manufacture. The New Beetle was superseded by this generation, which was known as the Beetle (A5). The A5 was manufactured from 2011 until 2019 and received praise for its design, which was reminiscent of vintage Volkswagen Beetles.
The second generation of Beetles, which was manufactured from 1997 to 2011, was superseded by the third generation.
The Volkswagen Beetle will be replaced by what?
Naturally, VW has been having a lot of trouble lately. Volkswagen only made around 15,000 deliveries in 2017, which represents a decrease of roughly 3.2 percent from the year before. But just because VW is still producing it doesn’t imply the iconic bug is going away. VW has, however, been known to revive vehicles, such as the Beetle. Who knows if a future edition will actually be completely new?
As far as we know, Volkswagen is anticipating that the 2020 debut of the T-Roc convertible will replace the Beetle convertible. It may possibly end up displace the ragtop Eos and Golf models. The redesigned ID Buzz is being positioned by VW as a “heritage model.” I mean, it makes a pretty clear reference to the first Volkswagen Microbus. Due in 2021, the ID Buzz is an all-electric car.
Can you still purchase a brand-new VW Beetle?
It is surely sad news to report that the legendary Volkswagen Beetle will no longer be produced after three generations and a combined seven decades. Due to its distinctive appearance, fun-to-drive attitude, and expressive personality, the Beetle has won the hearts of drivers all over the world. While we’re all sorry to see the Beetle depart, Volkswagen of Ann Arbor is here to assist you enjoy your final opportunity to acquire this cherished car.
Will the Beetle make a comeback?
The Beetle’s production was discontinued to make room for the development of a crossover positioned beneath the Tiguan. In 2021, the Beetle may return with an electrified motor and join the ID family, according to a hint.
Which VW Beetle is the most recent?
There are two body styles for the 2019 Volkswagen Beetle: coupe and convertible. Both are available in the S, Final Edition SE, SE, and Final Edition SEL trim levels. All variants include a four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and a six-speed automated transmission.
Do Mexican factories still build VW Beetles?
Mexico stops making Beetles, but the first model is still a hit in the hills. The original Beetles were still exclusively produced at the VW facility in Puebla, and more recently, the current Beetles were only produced there. TEXAS CITY Beetle has passed away.
The safety of VW Beetles
While the Beetle doesn’t sell in sufficient quantities to have shown in our Driver Power customer satisfaction surveys, comparing how the previous-generation Golf performed in our 2015 poll provides a reasonable sense of what to expect. Because of its tried-and-true mechanicals, the Mk6 Golf placed 129th overall and 83rd out of 200 vehicles for build quality. However, its dependability rating of 189th is less encouraging. However, the Mk6 Golf had already been changed three years prior, so the outcome is not as bad as it might initially seem.
Volkswagen as a whole has recently seen a bit of a rough patch, with a poor 24th place finish out of 32 automakers in our 2016 Driver Power poll. Although build quality was highly appreciated, the brand’s reliability aroused some questions.
Safety
The level of crash protection provided by the Beetle is something that can be claimed to be undeniably excellent as it received the full five stars when Euro NCAP evaluated it back in 2011. Both a 90% kid occupant score and a 92% adult occupant score are excellent outcomes. Even if safety assistance has undergone stricter scrutiny since the Beetle’s 2011 examination, an 86% result is still impressive.
While the Beetle lacks some of the most advanced safety features, like as automated emergency braking, it does come standard with ISOFIX child seat anchors, electronic stability control, and a tyre pressure warning system. Additionally, a post-collision braking system is included, which activates the brakes after an accident and lessens the amount that the Beetle can be thrown down the road by any incident. You also receive a number of airbags.