Say it ain’t so! After more than 70 years in production, German automaker Volkswagen has announced that 2019 will be the final year of production for the iconic Beetle. VW has stated that the decision came because the company wants to focus on more “family friendly” autos as well as electric cars. With so-so sales in recent years, the automaker believes the time is right to shift its vehicle manufacturing in a new direction.
With this announcement, we thought we’d take some time to review some memorable moments for the one of a kind punch bug.
The Love Bug Launches in the U.S. Market
The German automaker introduced the Volkswagen Beetle to the U.S. market in 1950 but the vehicle did not really hit its stride until the 1960s when the punch bug model was embraced by the counter culture movement. Due to its circular shape, the vehicle stood out from other vehicles of the day. In addition to being round when other vehicles were rectangular and boxy, the VW Beetle had system components that made for unique VW repair.
The Lure of Minimal VW Repair Draws in Drivers
In memorable and widely successful advertising campaigns, the VW Beetle was introduced to consumers as a simple, cost effective option when compared to luxury, features-rich vehicles. The promise of easy VW auto repair and maintenance was a big selling point for the vehicle.
In a tongue and cheek manner, the vehicle’s ads ensured the prospective buyer that they were so well made that they’d need less vehicle maintenance and auto repair compared to other fancier vehicles on the road. This approach was novel at the time and was a risk for the then unproven Beetle. But the promise of less VW auto repair and maintenance proved a winner for the Love Bug.
Low Cost of Ownership and Auto Repair Appeals to Many
In addition to mechanical simplicity, low cost of ownership, less auto repair, and cute attention getting design, the Beetle was also loved because of its modifiability. At home VW mechanics and other do it yourselfers found the bug to be the go-to vehicle for all sorts of modifications such as derby racing and California’s famous beach kit cars. The Bugs allowed everyone to be a VW mechanic who could perform auto repair at home.
The Price of The Cool Car Drops Thanks to VW
The VW Beetle was so popular due to its unusual ability to bring together concepts that are usually polarizing. For instance, the WV Beetle was intentionally designed to be economical and cool, an unusual notion at the time. While most domestic and foreign auto makers produced budget-model vehicles, these were rarely if ever promoted as excellent, high quality and hip. The VW Beetle was able to make inexpensive cool. The fact that the car required less auto repair only added to its appeal.
VW Repair Differs from Other Auto Repairs
With the Volkswagen Beetle, even ordinary things like VW auto repair seemed to be reinvented. For instance consider the vehicle’s air cooled engine. Most automobiles have engines that need to be cooled by water or other fluids. As such they require a comprehensive cooling system dedicated to preventing the engine from overheating.
With the VW Beetle, there was no traditional water cooling system, which meant one less auto repair needed to be performed on the vehicle. Though most consumers didn’t care about the details of air cooled vs water cooled engines, they liked how it is meant that one less auto repair was required. The car company even advertised itself as “easier to push if you run out of gas,” because it was made with fewer automotive components.
