Producing more models on modular platforms and joining (or creating) niches has always been part of a manufacturer’s strategy to increase sales and dominate the market. But cost-cutting measures are also part of the game, and, unfortunately, it often means that models that aren’t doing well sales-wise have to go. This is exactly what’s happening now at Volkswagen, the world’s second-largest automaker, which plans to reduce costs by five billion euros ($5.3 billion as of 03/11/2015) while aiming to best Toyota as the world’s top-selling carmaker. As reported in February, the Eos is the first model to get the axe, but word has it the Beetle is also on VW’s blacklist.
According to German publication Der Spiegel, the modern Beetle won’t live to see a third generation. With sales barely exceeding 100,000 units a year and with the Volkswagen Group looking to reduce its costs, the Beetle is no longer sustainable. With the elimination of the Eos estimated to save VW 200 million euros ($212 million), axing the Beetle will likely increase the savings to more than half a million euros ($529 million). There’s no word when production of the Beetle might end, but given the current generation is only three years old, I expect it to hang around for at least a couple more years. Additionally, it seems the Germans are also planning to ditch the three-door version of the Polo, with the compact hatch to remain a five-door model exclusively.
Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Beetle.
Volkswagen Could Axe The Beetle originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 11 March 2015 14:00 EST.
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