After 8 decades, the last Beetle rolls off the production line.
In recent years, VW has tried to revive demand with a series of new versions but, in an era when SUVs and crossover utility vehicles have shunted sedans and coupes to the side of the road, slumping sales made the decision inevitable.
It was the American counterculture that really embraced the Beetle, transforming Hitler’s people’s car into a hippie-mobile — along with the Volkswagen Microbus. At its peak, the German automaker sold more than 400,000 Beetles annually in the U.S. — capturing as much as a 5 percent share of the American market — and 1.3 million worldwide.Volkmar Hoffmann / picture alliance via Getty Image
Sales did gain some momentum, but the New Beetle never came close to matching the success of the original. It barely gained any traction in Europe, with demand largely centered in the U.S. and Latin America.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
From Nazis to hippies: End of the road for Volkswagen BeetleVolkswagen is halting production of the last version of its Beetle model this week at its plant in Puebla, Mexico. It has been: a part of Germany&39;s darkest hours as a never-realized Nazi prestige project. The car&39;s original design — a rounded silhouette with seating for four or five, nearly
Read more »
From Nazis to hippies: End of the road for Volkswagen BeetleVolkswagen is halting production of the last version of its Beetle model this week at its plant in Puebla, Mexico.
Read more »
Luxury Lineage: A Brief History of the Volkswagen BeetleAfter 80 years, the long and winding road is coming to the end for the Beetle. Here's a brief history of the iconic car: by Mister_Solomon
Read more »
Volkswagen Turns Out The Lights On Beloved BeetleVolkswagen today saw the last of the current Beetles roll off its assembly line in Puebla, Mexico.
Read more »
As Beetle ends, iconic original thrives in Mexico City hillsAs production of the modern edition of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle ends, Mexicans still rely on the original no-frills version, praising its affordability, repairability and, most of all, its dexterity on steep streets.
Read more »
See the evolution of the iconic Volkswagen BeetleVolkswagen Beetle production is ending, again. The curvy compact car got its start in Nazi Germany, played a role in the economic resurgence of Germany after the war and went on to become a worldwide icon.
Read more »