* Copyright © 2016 Business Insider Inc
VW
A tweet from Autoline has stirred up reports saying that the Volkswagen Beetle may end production in 2018 in an effort to make room for more crossovers to be built. To us, that probably doesn't sound like a great trade-off, but VW might think otherwise.
Though the Beetle model range has been active in some aspect for 78 years, the New Beetle has been around for almost 20 years through two different generations. The current generation originally entered production in 2012.
It hasn't been the most-loved VW model and it's not the most exciting either, but if VW was to completely shut down Beetle production without hopes of return, the automotive world would surely collectively shed a tear.
We've put together a slider so as to not forget how far the Beetle has come.
Before WWII became really swung into action, VW was able to crank out just 700 1938 Beetles. However, during the war the new factory built to manufacture Beetles was severely damaged.
Post-WWII in 1947, the first civilian models were sold.
Beetles began reaching American shores for the first time in 1950.
In 1971 we met the Super Beetle. It had more power, some new motor internals, updated suspension in the front, and added storage room.
VW stopped selling hard-top Beetles in America in 1976. Convertibles were sold up until 1979.
In 1998 the world met the New Beetle. Unlike classic Beetles, it was water-cooled, front-engined, and front-wheel-drive.
In 2001, Europe got the Beetle RSi. A 221 horsepower, all-wheel-drive little beast. Only 250 were made.
After building over 21,000,000 Classic Beetles, production ended in Puebla, Mexico.
In 2010, production ended for the New Beetle.
But in 2012, a new New Beetle came.
Along with an open-top version in 2013.
In 2015 we saw the more aggressive looking Beetle Dune.
But could 2018 be the end? As Volkswagen looks to produce more crossovers, it's certainly possible the Beetle could go out of production again.
No comments:
Post a Comment