The Volkswagen Beetle is the world’s most sold car of all time. It trumped over the Fiat 124 (which took second place) and the Ford Model T (the third most popular). After the production of the original Volkswagen Beetle some time between 1939 and 2003, manufacturing them halted. During those times, there were a total of 21 million Beetles which were created.

Yet another Volkswagen car which made it to the Top Ten is the Golf MkI, taking the sixth spot. The Golf MkII took the seventh slot. Introduced way back at 1974, these models are still being manufactured in South Africa. There have already been 6.9 million units produced to this date.

To see the complete list of the cars which made it to the Top Ten, see the data presented below:

1. Volkswagen Beetle
2. Fiat 124 (15 million units produced)
3. Ford Model T (was the world’s biggest seller until VW took its place)
4. Fiat Uno (sold 8.3 million units since 1983)
5. Renault 5 (was able to sell 8 million units)
6. Volkswagen Golf MkI
7. Volkswagen Golf MkII
8. Peugeot 206 (exceeding 5.5 million units have been produced)
9. Renault 5 (sold less than 5.5 million units between 1972 and 1983)
10. Mini (years of production: 41 years)

source: Fermanagh Herald

The New Beetle was launched in the year 2000 and has been well-received by consumers. Until now, it is still being received just as well. This years marks the world’s one millionth Beetle. To celebrate that fact, Volkswagen had redesigned the New Beetle to produce the New Beetle Anniversary Edition. The said limited edition of the favored vehicle now comes with a 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, a bold and fresh new color, front fog lights, and an exceptional interior.

The New Beetle Anniversary Edition is based from the model of New Beetle Miami. The interior of the vehicle comes in the theme of black and white leatherette – classy and impressive. Its exterior is in the equally striking white body color, which is held in a powerful, sleek contrast by a black roof and door mirror housings. A notable exterior stripe package tops it all off. The storage area is not ignored. It has plenty of space and comes with lockable glovebox, front door storage nets and sunglass compartment found in the headlining. The New Beetle Limited Edition can accommodate four passengers while still maintaining spaciousness. It also has the central door locking system. This system is a programmable automatic locking of the doors after the car has been started.

This limited edition of the New Beetle is powered by a five-speed manual transmission (automatic six-speed transmission is optional) and runs on a 1.6-liter petrol engine which is able to deliver 75 kW. The manual transmission is priced at $27,990 while the automatic transmission is at $30,290.

source: e broadcast

It is time for celebration at the Volkswagen plant located at Puebla, Mexico. The reason for their celebration is the tenth birthday of the New Beetle. Riding along with this celebration is the fact that it is also the seven millionth unit of Volkswagen in the country of Mexico. Not only that but at the same time it also marks the world’s one millionth New Beetle.

The New Beetle that they are celebrating has an impressive exterior built with automatic door locks, heated washer nozzles, power glass sunroof, and third brake light. It has a 2.5L, 5-cylinder, in-line engine with the horsepower of 150 at 5,000 or 110 kW at 5,000. Its engine stroke is 3.65 in (92.8 mm) and has a maximum torque of 170 at 3,750 or 228 Nm at 3,750. The S model is priced at $17,365 while the SE model has the price of $20,440. The New Beetle is still built exclusively in their Mexico plant for different markets all over the globe.

Present in the celebration was Professor Dr. Winterkorn, who is the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. He had stated hat Volkswagen would, indeed, invest roughly around $1 billion (U.S. dollars) in Mexico when the production for the Jetta model is about to start. He said, “As our only production location in North America to date, Puebla plays a key role in our growth strategy for North America. Volkswagen de México and the Mexican supplier industry are certain to benefit from this.”

source: Car Scoop

If you will see a red Beetle convertible with a license plate that says CUDEC24 (see you Dec.24), then you probably had a close encounter with Santa.

While trusting the VW parts of the Beetle meant treachery to Rudolph, Greg Bump can still make you believe that he is the closest thing that we can get to a real Santa Claus this Christmas. Bump takes on a superhero trait, but every time he changes into his costume, he dons a belly instead of flexing his muscles. He works in a bank during the day, but when his Santa duties are called for, he would strip that corporate outfit and change into the red one, buckle his black thick belt, and then speed off happily in his trusted VW parts. But that is not all. Would you believe that Bump is a certified Santa, and he has got the diploma from the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Michigan to prove it.

It all began when he was in his early 20s, according to a report done by pennlive.com. His father was working at a department store, and one day they needed a substitute for their Santa. Bump decided to fill in the spot, and well…let’s just say that the rest is history.

“Most people think anybody who portrays Santa must be an OK guy,” Bump said in an interview by pennlive.com, on being a banker and a Santa. When October rolls out, Bump is sure to be “always in the character, even in my business suit.”

What an incredible story—now we know that even Santa Claus drives a Beetle!

Setting up a business can be quite hard, which is why it involves a lot of patience. It also needs a lot of creativity and originality, for how could the business stand out among all its other competitors? This is probably what a flourishing family auto rental business in Alexandria, Cincinnati thought. But, would you believe that their success is also because of how they were able to cultivate the VW parts of a 1958 Volkswagen Beetle?

Recall is also one key player in a business. If people cannot remember your business then you will surely be bound to file for bankruptcy. This is why advertising is so important in a business. It keeps the people coming back. So for the case of the Alexandria-based “Bill’s Mini Car”, their memorable Beetle was responsible for making the people come back. Back in 1970, the shop was intended originally as a repair shop that is exclusive for VW parts only. But then Bill Goepper decided to try out the rental business, so he had to choose it over the repair business. The 61-year-old businessman was especially fond of the Bug as his parents influenced him at an early stage of his life. He displays the Beetle in front of their auto rental shop, and it has become known for being adorned with dozens of lights. Now, this Beetle captured not only the attention of many people, but their recall as well.

They’ll call and say ‘I’m calling for an auto rental. Are you the ones with the ‘bug’ outside with the lights on it?’ ” Matt Goepper, successor to the family auto rental business said in an interview by the community press. Now, is this not a remarkable Beetle story?

Source: community news.com

 

Autoblog.com had their coffee earlier than the assigned break, and they were able to breathe in the freshest brew. Or were they? With all the proposals regarding the redesigning of the New Beetle, many people were excited to see what its VW parts will look like in two years’ time. Reviving something as timeless as the Volkswagen Beetle is not an easy task. It has become such an immortal symbol that implementing even the slightest change to it will already alter its eternal beauty. Thank goodness though that they planned to maintain the same VW parts, contours, and the basic Beetle flair. From the firm of designer Brenda Priddy, Autoblog managed to snag some pretty neat pictures of what the New Beetle’s latest rendition will look like. And of course, we borrowed their pictures to give it a new perspective.

Take a look and observe how the design was able to retain the inherent charm of the Beetle, and yet manage to give it a fresh twist. Something like the headlights, the bumper, and even the wheels. It looks like it has a longer front fascia now, and it was inspired by the VW Up! Series. According to many speculations, this is Volkswagen’s solution for the disappointing performance of the New Beetle in the market. As far as this picture says, it is not such a bad remake, but of course we cannot expect that the same glorious days of the Beetle can be regained just like that. So for the mean time, let us await until this photo manifests itself on the road, until we pass our fair judgment.

Beetle enthusiasts can now enjoy the lovable bug in the form of a wooden toy car. They no longer have to spend thousands of dollars to afford its VW parts, because Terry Purrington will make sure that the Beetle will be able to bring a cheer to the children. Purrington is a toymaker who crafts different things out of a simple block of wood. Among his famed works, his version of the Volkswagen Beetle is very popular among the kids. But what is best about his talent, is that he also knows how to share. As a matter of fact, the toys that he makes are being given to the kids of the Bakersfield Homeless Center. While this is his second year of being a good-doer, his passion is enough to make people believe that he will not be stopping this act of kindness anytime soon.

Kids aged between two and six years old can enjoy the 150 toy trucks and cars that Purrington has shared to Bakersfield. According to a report by The Bakersfield Californian, Purrington will continue making these toys for the center until “he can’t physically do so”.

“From what I understand, these (homeless) kids have nothing,” Purrington says in an interview by The Bakersfield Californian. “Maybe it’s the fact these are handmade. They get a better feeling that somebody cares about them.”

Although the wooden Beetles are devoid of having authentic VW parts, the kids’ faces still light up when the toys are being given to them. Louis Gill, the executive director f the homeless center only have praises for Purrington’s dedication to bring joy to the kids. “Most of the kids, they have absolutely nothing here at the shelter, except for very few clothes. To get this individual, unique toy, it’s a special Christmas,” he says in the same interview.

Now this, is the real way to enjoy the Beetle this Christmas season.

Source: The Bakersfield Californian

 

What is the common denominator that binds the Beetle and gold? Nope, not this car. Rather, the word is timelessness. Gold will never run out of anybody’s style. From accessories, to clothing, and even in other forms of ornament, gold is definitely one solid element that will never fade. The Beetle may be one car that can concretize the concept of timelessness too. This is probably what the owner of this 18-karat gold Beetle thought. It is not just some nice body finish, but it really is gold.

The golden Beetle in itself is really timeless, what with its 1968 badge and supremely-conditioned VW parts, it is in itself worthy of posing for a car show. But since it has been caramelized with gold, it all the more became controversial. The golden bug was unveiled at the annual Luxury Show in Bucharest, Romania. See the intricate pattern of this gold-laden car. It is covered with tonsssa tiles that were made of glass together with 18-karat gold. No wonder this thing sparkles at any given angle, and it can strike anybody even from afar. Of course gold things also come with a golden tag price. If you are wondering about this Beetle’s worth, it is safe to say that you could have bought a pretty good supercar with its $88,000 value.

While many people are criticizing this Beetle—apparently, it is senseless and too expensive—the owner probably finds too much value that even the gold cannot justify. After all, it is the Beetle. Whether embedded with gold or not, its VW parts will always make it a show stopper.

 

We have seen our beloved Beetle take on different forms. It is pretty easy to dress up the Love Bug as we have all seen the many roles that it has played. Its VW parts are pretty easy to tweak to make a whole new thing from it, but we love it even in its plain and usual self. From cartoon characters, animals, to super cars—the Beetle has been it all. While many people appreciate the Beetle in its inherent image and quality VW parts, many still find the bug as a piece of blank canvass, waiting to be painted on.

This is probably what William Burge thought. This Texan artist morphed a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle into his very own “art car”. The picture above is Burge, sitting proudly behind the wheels of his Beetle art car. Onlookers perhaps will not immediately get Burge’s idea, compared to a Beetle that is turned into a Pokemon. But his artistic views greatly fused with the contours of the Beetle, and that is reason enough to showcase this art car at the Essen Motor Show in Germany next month.

Source: BBC.com 

News from the Baja Race? We have it. The most recent is how an Alaskan team was able to reach 147 miles…until their their clutch dulled.

Patric, Kolt, and Kash Bell were three Alaskan brothers who participated at the 40^th Tecate Score Baja 1,000. Around 32 years ago, it was their father who went out with the VW parts of a stock Volkswagen Beetle, wanting to win as well and bring pride in their hometown. While the trio did not make it through the entire race, they were very grateful to their supporters and were even eager to share their experiences through the race. “This was a crazy experience,” Kash Bell commented in an article.

This event is expected to be aired by late December. The Alaskan trio, however, is preparing for their next race: The Baja’s Desert Series. Will they trust the same VW parts? This we shall see.