Volkswagen will end production of its iconic “Beetle” cars, commemorating the vehicle with a ceremony today (Wednesday, July 10th). Recently, the German auto company put out two final editions of the Beetle. Hinrich Woebcken, chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America, said the move comes as Volkswagen emphasizes electric cars and larger family vehicles, but he also hedged, saying, “Never say never,” about the Beetles potentially one day coming back.
The Beetles were first introduced in the U.S. in the 1950s, and became popularized by the 1968 Disney movie, The Love Bug. Sales in the U.S. were ended in 1979, but VW revived the “New Beetle” in America in 1997.
