All good things come to an end and seems like Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle brand is breathing its last. The Beetle will apparently be discontinued globally after the current generation runs out. Built on VW’s old underpinnings, the car is known for its retro design and styling. It was however suggested at Volkswagen’s 2017 annual session that the slow selling Beetle be replaced. The sales number alone speak for its sluggish demand across Europe where the model fetched just 5,774 unit sales in the first quarter of 2017.
The sales figure for 2016 totalled to 25,127 in the same market. In India also, the 21st century Beetle remains a dud seller, although it is revered for its retro styling and vintage looks. While Volkswagen is yet to make an official announcement, but axing Beetle makes sense in the view of VW’s cost cutting measures to aide its upcoming electric models. Also Read – Volkswagen Mulls Sale of Ducati
Lesser Known Facts About Beetle –
– Beetle’s history date back to 1934 when Adolf Hitler ordered Ferdinand Porsche to develop a ‘Volkswagen’ which literally means people’s car in German.
– Chancellor Hitler urged to develop a basic car that could be used for transporting five people including two adults and three children. He insisted on crafting a vehicle that could run at 100km/h with use of just 7-litres of fuel to cover the distance of 100 km.
– With time, Beetle’s design evolved and today it is known for its edgy yet retro design that comes stuffed with plethora of new elements endowed in the last generation model.
– In March 2016, Volkswagen India launched the new-generation Beetle at Rs 28.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), albeit the car is available only at select VW showrooms across the country.
– Sporting larger dimensions, the 21st century Beetle for the Indian market uses 148bhp, 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that comes paired to a 7-speed DSG auto box.
