It became increasingly more difficult to meet US emissions standards with the air cooled engine in the original Beetle. The sales started decreasing in the 70s and VW stopped selling the car in the US in the late 70s. VW had already introduced a far superior replacement to the original Beetle with the Rabbit, which featured a modern liquid cooled engine and a front engine layout. Several models from Japanese automakers were far superior which is one of the reasons why sales tanked and VW ceased selling the car in the US. While VW did continue to manufacture and sell the car outside the US for about another 20 years, it could not compete in the US. The name was eventually resurrected in the new Beetle which was a modern liquid-cooled, front engine design which shared nothing other than the basic shape and name with the original Beetle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby
VW never should have retired the original Beetle. Worst decision a car manufacturer could have ever made.
|