Photo: NHTSA
Thanks to a VIN deciphering document filed by Volkswagen of America with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the obvious has been confirmed once again. More to the point, 2019 will be the final model year for the Beetle in this part of the world, with no replacement in sight for the time being.
In the chapter titled Volkswagen VIN Breakdown, the Beetle Coupe and Beetle Convertible are listed with five trim levels. The Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL are the configurations that caught our attention, spelling the end of the retro-styled automobile.
Regardless of trim level, the 2019 Beetle comes with the 2.0-liter TSI and six-speed automatic transmission we know since eons ago. Pricing isn’t known for the time being, though it shouldn’t be too different from the $20,220 of the 2018 model year. And as ever, Volkswagen is much obliged to throw in a six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Back in 2010, the New Beetle Final Edition was limited to 1,500 units for both body styles. Debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the last hurrah of the previous generation came in Aquarius Blue or Aquarius Blue with Campanella White for the convertible.
So why did Volkswagen decide to kill off the Beetle, with the I.D. family of electric vehicles serving as an indirect replacement? In addition to being similarly priced to the much more practical (and reliable) Golf, the Beetle isn’t selling all that well.
Take 2017 as an example, for both Europe and the United States. With 22,360 and 15,166 examples of the breed sold during the 12-month period, the People’s Car is far from the commercial hit the original was back in its glory days. Keeping an unsuccessful car on life support costs Volkswagen valuable resources, which the Wolfsburg-based automaker will transfer to other projects.
Hearsay suggests MINI plans to phase out the three-door hatchback (two-door Hardtop in the United States) as well, but the BMW Group hasn’t offered any confirmation in this regard. Just like the Beetle, dwindling sales are to blame for this outcome.
Regardless of trim level, the 2019 Beetle comes with the 2.0-liter TSI and six-speed automatic transmission we know since eons ago. Pricing isn’t known for the time being, though it shouldn’t be too different from the $20,220 of the 2018 model year. And as ever, Volkswagen is much obliged to throw in a six-year/72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Back in 2010, the New Beetle Final Edition was limited to 1,500 units for both body styles. Debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the last hurrah of the previous generation came in Aquarius Blue or Aquarius Blue with Campanella White for the convertible.
So why did Volkswagen decide to kill off the Beetle, with the I.D. family of electric vehicles serving as an indirect replacement? In addition to being similarly priced to the much more practical (and reliable) Golf, the Beetle isn’t selling all that well.
Take 2017 as an example, for both Europe and the United States. With 22,360 and 15,166 examples of the breed sold during the 12-month period, the People’s Car is far from the commercial hit the original was back in its glory days. Keeping an unsuccessful car on life support costs Volkswagen valuable resources, which the Wolfsburg-based automaker will transfer to other projects.
Hearsay suggests MINI plans to phase out the three-door hatchback (two-door Hardtop in the United States) as well, but the BMW Group hasn’t offered any confirmation in this regard. Just like the Beetle, dwindling sales are to blame for this outcome.
Google News