No More New Beetles ?

[ShuttleSurfer]

Just read in the new issue of Automobile that (1) Porsche is interested in buying controlling part of VW, and (2) there will be no New Beetle replacements. Anyone got any better skinny on this?

[Oyveychris]

Makes sense. How long can vw maintain interest in a retro themed vehicle? Both ford and Chrysler have had limited success...

[ShuttleSurfer]

Guess they want to concentrate on the updated GTI.

[FineExampl]

This has been argued before in a few other threads. Just because something is not going to be replaced doesn't mean it's going to be discontinued any time soon. One can only hope that we can make it to the 2008 model year for a 10th anniversary edition.

[kcfoxie]

Porsche is or has confirmed the additional 20% purchase in the company (they already had 18% I believe). This is so they can control VW and prevent it from destroying itself. In the MkV especially, VW cannot be distinguished from Audi. They need to be cheaper, less frills, and more dependable. People's car they are, if you're a paralegal with the matching slary. I can say that with a straight face because I watched my partner sign for a Jetta that the base price was $4k more than he makes in a year -- yet he's the exact age demographic they want. People's car... yah right.

/ rant off

The beetle needs to die. End of story. If the hardtop does not go away in 2008, I'm going to be a bit irritated. 10 years is a good run for the hard top model, I also see it as being the last to become a hybrid if at all. The convertible is a killer classic, strong sales, and the only cloth-top sold worldwide I believe. I see he convertible having a good 15 year run at minimum, and the Eos hard top convertible will compliment it with the "more refined" driver who needs room for 4 adults with luggage (something the convertible cannot do).

Also, once the beetle isn't made... all these yuppie girls will stop driving them. Not that I'm a woman hater, I'm just tired of waving and getting the bird... or stopping and asking them about a decal/spoiler/set of rims and being told at the pump to "go away you freak" or "I don't know we bought it like this."

I came from the aircooled roots, you saw an aircooled beetle driver you two spoke. It was understood. I get more respect from the vintage drivers than I do anyone else on the road, and that makes me cry. I passed a techo blue on my way to work. Pacing her in traffic I waved, kept looking at her. She glanced once and did tunel vision on me. How rude! Thank goodness the orange/black 'vert i see at lunch passed and waved at me to make up for it.

I know it seems a little unrealastic and idealist, but I do believe there is the "beetle type" and the "beetle buyer," most people are buyers..the beetle types you find on this forum with 5+ green dots!

[pdoel]

Originally Posted by ShuttleSurfer

Guess they want to concentrate on the updated GTI.

If the Beetle is eventually discontinued, or they decide to just leave it on this platform, it would have absolutely nothing to do with the GTI.

[SMG]

Originally Posted by kcfoxie

..the beetle types you find on this forum with 5+ green dots!

That is absolutely not true, I'm a Beetle type, just too much of a dick to have 5 dots.

SMG

[Sgt Beavis]

I can't see how VW can justify keeping the car beyond 2008. It is a great car but I don't see VW putting the money into a complete redesign.

However the Retro fad isn't over and isn't a total failure. The Beetle, of course, has enjoyed resonably good sales. The PT Cruiser is a top seller at DCX. The Thunderbird had only one major flaw, it was overpriced. However the Mustang has clearly illustrated that retro, when done right, is very much in demand. That is why we're about to get the new Challenger and Camero.

[Tommy]

I have heard via a good friend who has good connections at VW Wolfsburg, that the production of the NB will end indeed around 2008.

The ragster will for 99% not be produced. That was only a prototype.

They will however end with a very special limited edition, maybe with some ragster influences...

They can not keep on updating and re-designing a retro car.

Maybe in 10 years time again orso...

[beetleboygls]

i knew i shoulda kept this car stock

[SMG]

The New Beetle has to die.

A 10-year run of a car that hasn't changed hardly a thing is too long.

They change the Golfs and Jettas every 6 or 7 years. The Beetle is on it's 8th year and is just getting old. A facelift is not the same as an upgrade.

[Oyveychris]

The original ran for 60 plus years, but I agree, unless it evolves, it's a goner.....

[mentalVdub]

it's the "death to the new beetle" thread!


if the new beetle goes, i won't be sad. that special nastolgia that the 98-2000s had is practically gone.

the early years of seeing a modded new beetle was crazy. now it's like, "oh, another modded NB." it's sorta taken on like the PT Cruiser. you always see silly little mods done to those damn things. i see the new beetle turning into that. i guess, in a sense, to me it's just not as cool anymore.

and when new beetles are put up for show, they just aren't taken serriously anymore as they would have been in the early years. omg! i'm rambling on about missed nastolgia.

it has ran its course and it needs to be ended.

[sherylann]

I am a new member and am here because I have a 2000 Vapor Beetle and love my car. I would be sad to see this fun little car leave the marketplace. I planned on driving one forever.

[Tommy]

However, even almost reaching the age of 10, you wouldn't give him that age....

He still makes people turn their heads, make people smile, coming closer to have a look at that neat interiour when you parked...

What other car does better?

[Concept1]

If it's still selling well I don't see any reason why they would discontinue it. In fact, every time I see a VW sales report the New Beetles are outselling the Golfs and that includes the GTI and R32.

[Dorado]

The NB is the face of the brand in the US. Here they sell more NB hartops and convertibles combined than they do Golf+GTI. NB's bring into the store people who do not currently own a VW.

And don't worry about needy souls: NB's that are bought new by people who buy cars hoping to catch the latest fad to try to raise their self esteem, those eventually are resold to people who dream of VW and beetles and will take good care of them.

[SMG]

Originally Posted by Dorado

Here they sell more NB hartops and convertibles combined than they do Golf+GTI.

Nope, they actually don't my friend, not anywhere.

[moofpup]

If you look at the January 06 numbers they do sell more Beetles then all the golf models combined. He didn't say Jettas he said all golf models and thats true.


Total New Beetle 2,236

Golf/GTI/R32 1,035

[SMG]

Oh, a specific month's numbers.

On average, I don't think Beetles outsell the Golf models.