Volkswagen has made it formal. Production of the iconic Beetle two-door coupe and convertible will end in 2019. To celebrate the Beetle’s rich heritage, two special models of the second generation New Beetle will join the lineup for its last model year—Final Edition SE and Final Edition SEL.
“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,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “As we move to being a full-line, family-focused automaker in the U.S. and ramp up our electrification strategy with the MEB platform, there are no immediate plans to replace it. But as we have seen with the I.D. BUZZ—which is the modern and practical interpretation of the legendary Bus—I would also say, ‘Never say never.’ We’re excited to kick off a year of celebrating one of the true icons of the automotive world, with a series of events that will culminate in the end of production in Puebla, Mexico in July 2019.”
Indeed, Volkswagen has used the Final Editions moniker on Beetles before, most recently in 2010 at the end of production of the first generation New Beetle which was launched in 1997.
2019 Volkswagen Beetle Final Edition models include exclusive equipment and unique upscale décor elements designed to send the Beetle off in style.
While the popularity of the Beetle has waned over its long run, it will forever hold a lofty place in automotive history.
