[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/vw-beetle-production-to-end-in-2019\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/vw-beetle-production-to-end-in-2019\/","headline":"VW Beetle Production to End in 2019","name":"VW Beetle Production to End in 2019","description":"It might be seen as somewhat ironic that, in a time when the UK is enjoying the fruits of a small city car revolution, across the pond in the USA car buyers appear to be turning towards larger vehicles once more, such as 4×4 crossover vehicles and more family sized cars. Whether there is a direct connection or not, sadly Volkswagen has announced that it will end production of the Beetle in 2019. We\u2019re talking \u2018New Beetle\u201d of course \u2013 […]","datePublished":"2018-09-19","dateModified":"2018-12-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/VW-Beetle-Production-to-End-in-2019-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/VW-Beetle-Production-to-End-in-2019-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/vw-beetle-production-to-end-in-2019\/","about":["Cars","CLASSIC CARS","LATEST CAR NEWS","Volkswagen"],"wordCount":471,"keywords":["volkswagen","volkswagen beetle","vw"],"articleBody":"It might be seen as somewhat ironic that, in a time when the UK is enjoying the fruits of a small city car revolution, across the pond in the USA car buyers appear to be turning towards larger vehicles once more, such as 4×4 crossover vehicles and more family sized cars. Whether there is a direct connection or not, sadly Volkswagen has announced that it will end production of the Beetle in 2019.We\u2019re talking \u2018New Beetle\u201d of course \u2013 production of the classic Type 1 Beetle ceased worldwide in 2003 (yes, it really was that long ago) after selling more than 21 million with peak annual production at 1.3 million in 1971 – quite staggering numbers.The Last Type 1The final Type 1 rolled off the Mexican VW factory production line in July 2003. The final car was nicknamed El Ray (The King) and now fittingly resides back in Germany at the VW Wolfsburg Museum.It wasn\u2019t quite the end of the Beetle though; the car that was designed by Ferdinand Porsche and that began being manufactured as \u2018The People\u2019s Car\u2019 in a world torn apart by war in 1938 rose like a phoenix as the \u2018New Beetle\u2019 in 1997. Hard-core Type 1 drivers would often refuse to acknowledge the waves and headlamp flashing of fellow road users if they were in a New Beetle (one of those slightly twee, quaint customs that some classic car drivers subscribe to) back then \u2013 it just wasn\u2019t a Beetle \u2013 it was based on a Golf platform and had its engine in the front for goodness sake…New BeetleTime moves on though, and with the passing of time the metaphorical umbilical cord connecting the new Beetle with the old became less prominent and the new Beetle established itself as a very popular car indeed. In Canada and the USA sales rose to a high of 43,134 in 2013 following massive initial sales in 1999 that produced over 80,000 models, but sales have significantly dropped since with just 15,166 Beetles being sold in the USA and Canada in 2017.In the UK, sales peaked at 9,179 in 2004 (significantly, around the time that the demise of the Type 1 was in the news) but have tailed off steadily since with a total of 1,598 Beetle sales being recorded in the UK in 2017. As a whole, Volkswagen \u2013 despite the \u2018dieselgate\u2019 scandal of 2015 \u2013 is doing well and reported an increase in sales of 10.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. Despite the drop in Beetle sales, the VW Golf still goes from strength to strength figuring in the top ten cars sales of 2017 where it came 2nd behind the Ford Fiesta.Volkswagen says it aims to slim down its offerings and concentrate on moving forward with electric vehicle production and development in the future – although VW USA\u2019s Chief Executive Hinrich Woebcken says, when asked about a possible future return for the Beetle, \u201cnever say never\u2026\u201d"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"VW Beetle Production to End in 2019","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/vw-beetle-production-to-end-in-2019\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]