We had two of them in the family at one time or another though I wasn't driving then. Yes folks the good ol' Beetle (and we are only talking about the classic beetle - not the plush new trendy one that one sees rather a lot of in affluent suburbs) is to be no more. The last factory to produce them (in Puebla, Mexico) is ceasing production today.
The classic Beetle had environment issues (falling foul of U.S. regulations as far back as 1977) and in Mexico was considered a kidnapping liability. Beetles comprise the majority of the taxi population in Mexico City making it too easy for kidnappers and street robbers to block off the two doors and impossible for passengers to escape.
Not sure if it is a sad day or not, but Hitler's little baby is still a cool car. The very last Beetle will be sent to Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.
Posted by Joe at July 30, 2003 01:07 PM