The VW Beetle Might Be On Its Way Out
The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the most iconic vehicles in history. Its silhouette is instantly recognizable, and you see them nearly everywhere on the planet.
Its direct successor, the New Beetle, was launched in 1998, and received a very warm reception, taking advantage of the retro trends of the early 2000s.
The third generation, which was launched in 2011, hasn’t had the same success. While it shares a few mechanical components with the popular Jetta, sales have not been as high as expected. It’s a shame though, because I think the car’s look is staggeringly better than the New Beetle’s.
Volkswagen is currently eliminating some of their slow-selling models; we learned that the Eos would be axed, and that the 3-door Polo (a European sub-compact not sold here) would follow suit, leaving only the 5-door model to soldier on. By removing this Polo from its lineup, VW could save up to 200 million euros. Since coupes and 3-door hatchbacks are becoming less and less popular, there is a chance that the Beetle could be the next one to have its head put on the chopping block.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but if you have been thinking about buying a VW Beetle, don’t delay; the car might not be around next year.