Those expecting a new Volkswagen Beetle to replace the modern second-gen iteration of the type will be disappointed to hear that it’s looking likely there are no such plans to do so – Autocar reports that the model is set to be axed (in its hard-top form) from the automaker’s line-up, and the same destiny is said to await the third-gen Scirocco as well.
Both vehicles will continue selling until time is called on them, which won’t be long given their age. The A5 Beetle made its debut in 2011 and had its market introduction here in 2012, while the Scirocco arrived on the scene in 2008 and underwent a facelift in 2014.
The fate of both cars were hinted at during a discussion at Volkswagen’s 2017 Annual Session, when the subject was raised. “The Beetle and Scirocco are representatives of an emotional and appealing class of vehicles, but it is not always about continuing cars from one generation to the next,” VW board member Arno Antlitz responded, providing a clear intimation of what to expect.
Poor sales has everything to do with it, of course. The report said the Beetle shifted 25,127 in both fixed top and convertible bodystyles across 2016, while only 10,752 Sciroccos were sold last year. Combined, the 2016 sales for both were outstripped by what the Golf achieved in January this year alone.
The British publication conjectures that only the poorly performing hardtop Beetle will be canned, because the convertible outsells it by a considerable margin. As for how the void will be filled, Antlitz said that upcoming ID electric models as well as the likes of the Arteon luxury saloon would plug the gaps left by the two models.
GALLERY: Volkswagen Beetle Dune
GALLERY: Volkswagen Scirocco
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Entry level Sports Coupes are on the brink of extinction. Especially with the current SUV-mad society. People nowadays are more & more inclined towards practicality . In the past, 4-door hatchbacks are rare, but today the 2-doors are the rare species. But who knows, maybe the trend would change in the next 10 years or so..
Beetle in the 60s never broker down. But Beetle in 2010 always breakdown because of DSG.
This is why VW got no more value in Malaysia. Nama sudah amat busuk
I simply don’t understand why some people persist is showing their ignorance repeatedly, clinging on to, as well as spreading their blinkered views again and again, while choosing to never update their knowledge with more current information. Wait a minuite, I think I suddenly got it. They’re commenting all the time, so where’s the time to read or learn anything new?
p.s. VW DQ200 DSG gearbox problems were fixed by a global recall 4 years ago.
Once bitten twice shy
VW Beetle SUV makes business cents.
They could never capture the originals enigma and spirit..hence the inevitable has happened…
Better they pull all their cars with stinking DSG. That is the best move. Throw the DSG into tong sampah and use normal autobox.
You have a problem dude? Enjoying you Toyota Camry with 4 speed auto? I smell some stink here.
He sells camry 4speeder. Only on affords to ride 2nd hand EX5 to his showroom but park far far away so Samlor dun laff at him.
Hey Kunta, educate yourself. Read this
http://fortune.com/2017/05/08/volkswagen-tesla-electric-cars/
It is “Normal” 4 a car manufacturer 2 stop producing vehicles that is declining in demand. This is called smart Business.
If VW do pull the plug on both Beetle & Sirocco, that is a wise business strategy. Only stupid manufacturer continue 2 make cars that are Not profitable.
If VW do Not stop selling these less popular vehicle, they will pay for their follies. Does anyone think for a moment VW as a group are stupid & still managed 2 sell 10 million plus(2016) of vehicles under their stable ??!
Hey Anthony.
Stop using “intimation”. It’s a corruption of the English language by the Indians. Only they use “intimate” to describe “confided/ing”.
Every time someone uses “intimate” I shudder as I experience flashbacks of hours of hanging on Indian tech support conference calls.