Volkswagen to axe production of its iconic Beetle in 2019 to focus on electric motors
The German car maker will end production of the 'Bug' in 2019 after releasing final edition models of the classic car
VOLKSWAGEN has announced it is going to axe production of its iconic Beetle next year.
The German car manufacturer has said it will end manufacturing the Bug in 2019 after releasing final edition models of the classic car - the Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL.
Hinrich Woebcken, chief executive of Volkswagen Group, said the move comes as the brand puts more focus on electric cars and family friendly vehicles.
He said: “The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades, will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle’s many devoted fans.”
He added that although there are “no immediate plans” to replace the Beetle “never say never”
The brand’s Research and development boss Frank Welsch said “two or three generations is enough now” for the Beetle.
He added that the car was “made with history in mind but you can’t do it five times and have a new new new Beetle”.
The Beetle was first designed in 1931 in Germany, but wasn’t mass produced until the 1940s.
Adolf Hitler wanted a “people’s car” that was affordable for everyone, could seat two adults and two children with room for their luggage.
The Government allowed people to pay for it weekly with a ‘Sparkarte’ – savings card.
The VW Beetle has been loved by fans over a period of almost seven decades
The model became widely known as the Käfer (German for Beetle) and was later marketed under that name in Germany.
In France the model was also known as the Coccinelle, which is French for Ladybug.