Volkswagen Beetle, Scirocco Likely Axed Due to Dieselgate Costs
Two of VW's most storied nameplates may be the next casualties of the emissions-cheating scandal.

Despite being the sole sales winner last month, Volkswagen still struggles with costs related to the Dieselgate emissions scandal. In an effort to cut costs, two of the German automaker's most famous nameplates, the Beetle and the Scirocco, may be coming to an end after their current iterations, according to Autocar. Speaking on the future of the models at Volkswagen's 2017 Annual Session, VW board member Arno Antlitz had this to say: "The Beetle and Scirocco are representatives of an emotional and appealing class of vehicles, but it [VW product planning] is not always about continuing cars from one generation to the next."
The retro, bug-shaped People's Car is one of the brand's slowest selling models, only moving about 25,000 units in Europe in all of 2016. The Scirocco—a car that isn't sold stateside—fared even worse, selling less than 11,000 units in the same region and during the same time period. The decision to continue to keep the Scirocco from sports-compact fans in America was not made due to differing markets or tastes, but is a result of exchange rates.
Antlitz went on to say that Volkswagen's new and upcoming cars like the ID EVs and the Arteon luxury sedan "would fill the emotional void left by the departure of the Beetle and Scirocco."
If this truly is the end of the Beetle, it'll mean way less bruised upper arms on family road trips. (Kids still do "punchbuggy," right?)
-
RELATEDVolkswagen Updates All the Golfs for 2018The entire line is getting a makeover, but more importantly, who knew there were so many Golfs?READ NOW
-
RELATEDThe 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune Cabrio: It’s About TimeNothing plucks at our heartstrings like a quirky, retro, convertible off-roader.READ NOW
-
RELATEDWatch Tanner Foust Drift His 544-Horsepower VW Beetle RallyCross Car Up a Mountain RoadIt might be a rallycross car, but that didn't stop Foust from claiming this public road as his own.READ NOW
-
RELATEDNew Volkswagen Arteon Revealed at Geneva Motor ShowThe new fastback replaces the outgoing CC and slots above the Passat.READ NOW
-
RELATED2018 Audi TT RS to Debut at New York International Auto ShowWith 400 horsepower, the 2018 Audi TT RS is the most powerful production TT in history.READ NOW