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VW ID.Beetle.

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VW is in trouble, again. And what they need could be another new Bettle.

It seems VW has been in some kind of trouble for decades. Over the past years, there have been multiple mentions about “cost-saving” and cutting down models to only what seels. Etc…

It’s always something.

Now they’re laying off people and shutting down European factories. This time it seems worse than ever.

It seems the whole company is putting all their “small EV marbles” into the production version of the ID. 2All concept. Which has already been delau=yed a few times.

While it’s an OK cute car, it is basically an electric version of the ePolo. And it looks like an uncreative mashup of Polo and Golf. While the first Giugiaro-designed Golf looked fantastic, it’s basically been downhill since. With each generation looking like a Xerox copy of the previous one. Same thing with the Polo.

While Renault is coming up with 3 brand new retro-futuristic affordable EVs like the R4, R5, and Twingo, VW seems to be in a rott.

An EV version of a boring-looking car isn’t going to do much for the bottom line. Meanwhile, they have one of the most iconic models in automotive history with the Beetle. And thy cannot even recognize it.

A new EV Beetle is exactly what they need as a new “Cheap EV”. it would probably have to offer 4 doors and that’s still OK.

Of course, they’ll claim the last one was a failure. Which it wasn’t. It sold over 43,000 units in the US alone in 2013. Of course, after 8 years that number came down to under 5000. And that’s exactly what happens when you don’t redesign your car on time.

And please, don’t overprice it like the new ID. Buzz. A Beetle is supposed to be affordable. Like these new EVs from Renault.

Let’s just hope someone at VW wakes up soon…

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Conversation 6 comments

  1. huge missed opportunity by VW to use some of their iconic designs on inexpensive yet stylish EVs… imagine a fleet of modernized Beetle, Karmann Ghia and 412 .. rear (or awd), front trunk and simple interiors … just like the originals. The orange car won’t do, weird headlights, need to be simpler. round is better.. look at how successful mini was with theirs.. and the Chinese have already outdone VW with their Ora Ballet Cat knockoff…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWpIh72mRqw

    and the blue ID2.All concept is just plain BORING and derivative. Hate the new VW face with the light bars. And the whole ID#.# naming convention is just ridiculous

  2. I agree and disagree with you on this. VW suffers from 20yr old design styles and at the same time, grabbing at gimmicks that no one wants. The IDs look old right out of the gate, including the DRLs circling the headlights. And its also the front headlight design, which is a common theme in VW – the last couple Golfs headlights have looked both depressed, yet at the same time featureless = generic. And the plain jane monochromatic interiors with 1990’s quality video game digital clusters and center touch screens FOR EVERYTHING is a recipe to lose your customers. Lastly, their reliability and dealer network is probably the worst in the US next to DCRJ (Stellantis).

    But I’ll say this… The ID3 is the only decent looking ID in the bunch. It does look like VW, but modern – especially with the two tone paint. But they dont have many hybrids. And VW doesn’t always bring its better materials and models to the US. Just the gimmicky stuff.

  3. A retro Beetle could work but only if it is a 4 door. I sold VW’s for 25 yrs and most customers want the convenience of 4 doors (no more 2 door GTI’s). Why is it ok for every 911 to resemble prior models but not with the Golf/GTi? There have been changes between the generations of the GTi. I have a Mark 8 23 GTI manual, and the front end hood/headlamps were lowered compared to the Mark 7 GTi. I think the twin scalloped headlamps gives my car an aggressive look. The Golf/GTi is an iconic design and should always resemble previous generations just as Porsche had done for decades with the 911.
    I ID4 is a little boring but I love the retro Renault 5, and Twingo EV’s

  5. Basic. Cheap. Cute. That is the VW market here. Every attempt since the 411 VW US has not listened to the formula. They should let audi take a broader spread with lower cost unit. But constant the Finance Dept needed to constantly show the shareholders more! More!! Now it is in an tough spot. The German Fed Govt, the State of Lower Saxony, Porsche Holding SE, and Qatar holding.

    At what point does it merely become a poltical only discussion not just a combo including a financial one?

  6. If they brought in the Dune Beetle and Dune Beetle EV (raised 4 door beetle) they wouldn’t be able to keep them in stock.

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