There are many ways to update this iconic car.
Frank Welsch, VW’s R&D chief, stated earlier this year that the current Beetle wouldn’t have a successor. This means that once this generation is over, there will be no Beetle left in VW’s lineup. Welsch did not say when production of the second-generation watercooled Beetle would stop. VWVortex.com reports that there is little time for the iconic nameplate. VWVortex decoded VIN information provided by the automaker to NHTSA and discovered the Beetle Final Edition.
Since the debut of the second-generation Beetle in 2011, the company has not done much with it except for occasional special editions to rekindle interest in the vehicle. The German runabout’s Final Edition moniker doesn’t seem to be new. VW introduced the Final Edition trim to the “New Beetle” in 2010. This trim was more than a decade old.
VW has a unique problem with the Beetle. It is a beloved icon that has been immortalized in pop culture for almost 50 years. The company introduced the New Beetle in the 21st Century by modernizing its two-door design, while keeping the traditional arch shape.
VW updated the design by extending the roof to blend in with the bulbous rear end. The Beetle’s muscular appearance helped to counter the overtly feminine feeling of the previous generations. Although the update was a great success, it also reflected consumer trends and tastes. But how often can you make a Beetle new?
In March, the R&D head honcho stated that “two or three generations” is sufficient as the company cannot come up with “a new Beetle.” But the iconic design of the Beetle makes it difficult for the company to do much with it. The Beetle is also in a difficult position due to consumers switching from cars to crossovers and SUVs. VWVortex reports that VW sold 15,000 Beetles last year, with sales dropping 2.2 percent from August 2018 to 2017.
Although it is sad to see production cease, it seems like it’s time for retirement. The classic Beetle design that we all love will be gone, but the name might remain as a four-door electric vehicle. We’ll just have to wait and see what the future brings.