Volkswagen killing the New Beetle

[Analog]

Volkswagen is halting production of the New Beetle, the popular, iconic little car that took the country by storm a decade ago. It will make 3,000 more Final Edition versions. That's it.It will be replaced in 2011 by "something Beetlish," says VW spokesman Steve Keyes at the L.A. Auto Show.
The New Beetle, designed strictly for the U.S. market unlike any other VW models, was launched in 1998. It set the auto world on fire on at the time. And now for its exit:
Half of those 3,000 remaining New Beetles will be coupes. The other half will be convertibles. They will go on sale in the U.S. next spring. VW says they will have unique trim and upgrades to mark them as the last of the line.
The New Beetle coupe Final Edition will be priced at $20,240 and the convertible at $27,170. All will be painted a light blue -- Aquarius Blue. The coupe will have a black top and the convertible will have a white folding top.

 

[MoPHo]

Not only did the NYS Senate shoot down a gay marriage vote today, but this happens too?

Double bummer for them.

 

[Arkaign]

What? The stupidity of car companies never ceases to amaze me. They could have easily readied a new gen by this time, kept the 'Beetle' moniker, and went on selling plenty of them. This reminds me of Chrysler killing the PT Cruiser, which although I personally hated those things, they did sell well, and could have continued to do so had they put some God damned effort into making a new (hopefully improved) gen to continue production.

 

[SAWYER]

I used to have one and liked it

 

[lxskllr]

I have mixed feelings on the new beetle. I loved the old ones, and of course the new ones were reminiscent of those. The new ones just didn't have the magic, and the pricing wasn't in the same spirit as the old models. Also, they had some strange styling points. They almost got it, but blew it in a couple of areas.

I'd like to see them release a new Ghia. The Audi TT looks like a modern Ghia to me, but I'd like to see it under the VW badge.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Can a man drive a new Beetle? I owned three Miatas so......