Goodbye, Volkswagen Beetle

After its multi-generational run as a brand mainstay and global automotive phenomenon, the Volkswagen Beetle is ending production. Produced for 81 years, the final car, produced by Volkswagen de Mexico—a Denim Blue coupe—will live on display at Volkswagen’s local museum in Puebla.

Also known as the Type 1, Volkswagen sold more than 21.5 million units globally. In 1998, the New Beetle, an early automotive adopter of “modern retro” design language, re-introduced the familiar silhouette to a new generation of drivers, and sold more than 1.2 million cars between 1998 and 2010. In 2011, the third, and current generation of Beetle went on sale and more than 500,000 have been built since.

Sold in both coupe and convertible variants, the second- and third-generation of Beetles have collectively been produced in 23 different exterior colors, 32 interior trims, 13 varying engine configurations, and 19 special editions, including the Dune, Denim, Coast, and #PinkBeetle. All second- and third-generation Beetles have been built by Volkswagen de Mexico, Puebla, and have been sold in 91 markets worldwide.   

The end of Beetle production will allow Puebla’s resources to shift production to a new compact SUV, rumored to be the Tarek (Tharu in China) tailored for the North American market. It will slot below the Tiguan.