# VW to halt Beetle production **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898 "2003-06-05T18:51:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/1 "2003-06-05T18:51:53Z")
According to an article on [Drudge Report](http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm), VW has announced: > [@](#): > > Stuttgart, Germany (dpa) - German car manufacturer Volkswagen plans to cease production of the VW Beetle next month, the Stuttgarter Nachrichten reported in its issue to hit newsstands Friday. This will mark the end of the car’s 70-year, 21.5 million-unit production run. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/2 "2003-06-05T19:06:00Z")
I think it’s because of emission standards, yes? ---
**Author:** ![VenusProbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e495f1/32.png) [@VenusProbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusProbe)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/3 "2003-06-05T19:17:10Z")
For a second there I thought you were talking about the new Beetle! My almost 12yo daughter wants one of the new ones as her first car. I think the old ones don’t meet emission standards or safety standards in most countries that worry about such things. ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/4 "2003-06-06T03:04:13Z")
I saw an old Beetle today with a “28 IF” personalized plate, the same license plate on the Beetle on the cover of _Abbey Road_ (and yes, it was white, too). ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/5 "2003-06-06T03:09:35Z")
I still love the idea of a customized plate on a Beetle - “FEATURE” I _think_ I saw that posted on the SDMB back a couple of months ago. I’ll be damned if I can remember the thread, though. ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/6 "2003-06-06T04:22:23Z")
I saw a Beetle with the license plate: “BTLJUICE” brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Stccrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Stccrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stccrd)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/7 "2003-06-06T04:24:46Z")
I saw a beetle that was green…with the plates “SNT RCKT” ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/8 "2003-06-06T05:54:46Z")
Yeah, just like Ford “discontinued” the Thunderbird. [insert roll eyes smilie \>here\<] Sales a little slow this month? ---
**Author:** ![j\_kat\_251](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@j\_kat\_251](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_kat_251)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/9 "2003-06-06T07:17:25Z")
CYNIC ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/10 "2003-06-06T08:27:01Z")
I’ve never even test-driven the new Beetle, but I’ve wanted one since I saw the prototype in the Wall Street Journal about eight years ago. Before Beetle-mania. 😃 So thanks, **Johnny,** for giving me a momentary heart attack. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/11 "2003-06-06T12:55:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > **Yeah, just like Ford “discontinued” the Thunderbird.** [2005](http://www.suntimes.com/output/auto/car-news-car02.html). ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/12 "2003-06-06T13:10:42Z")
They still made the old Beetles? Wow, I had no idea. Am I the only one who didn’t know this? I thought they stopped making Beetles in the 70s. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/13 "2003-06-06T13:14:03Z")
I think they were only making them in Mexico, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/14 "2003-06-06T13:45:53Z")
[1997 Mexican Beetle](http://www.bughaus.com/bughaus2.htm) ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/15 "2003-06-06T13:50:43Z")
I bought my wfie a New Beetle less than a year ago. Thanks for the heart-attack ya’ dirty SOB! 😃 MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/16 "2003-06-06T14:16:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JuanitaTech \* > \*\*They still made the old Beetles? Wow, I had no idea. Am I the only one who didn’t know this? I thought they stopped making Beetles in the 70s. \*\* Don’t sweat it. You’re just from the U.S.A., and therefore have no idea what goes on in other parts of America, American countries, Europe…well, the rest of the world. Sure, some people from the states have a clue, but sadly many don’t. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/17 "2003-06-06T14:54:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Philster \* > \*\*Don’t sweat it. > > You’re just from the U.S.A., and therefore have no idea what goes on in other parts of America, American countries, Europe…well, the rest of the world. Sure, some people from the states have a clue, but sadly many don’t. 😃 \*\* wow - arrogantly discard people much? Interesting thread that led to a reasonable question from someone who, regardless of geography, perhaps doesn’t spend a lot of time thinking about cars, but came across this thread and decided to read it - which is what this board is all about. Inappropriate and uncool. Even with a “hey, just kidding” smiley on the end. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/18 "2003-06-06T16:30:42Z")
> [@](#): > > So thanks, **Johnny** , for giving me a momentary heart attack. > [@](#): > > Thanks for the heart-attack ya’ dirty SOB! I had no _idea_ that people would think I meant the _New_ Beetle! 😃 What a run, eh? My neighbour has a light blue 1970 Beetle that her brother bought new and which she bought from him when it was six months old. Very cool car. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/19 "2003-06-06T17:36:10Z")
Dammit, I was _hoping_ it was about that frickin’ Golf on steroids… what a disappointment. The (original) Beetle is without a doubt one of the Top 5 Most Important Cars Ever. The new one… is a Golf. 'Nuff said. All good things must come to an end. Oh, and Philster and Wordman need to calm down, too. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898/20 "2003-06-06T17:40:58Z")
I bet Hitler is spinning in his grave. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vw-to-halt-beetle-production/179898.md?page=2)