Volkswagen doesn't cancel the Beetle

[AltHistoryNerd]

With the death of the Beetle in 2020, some of us bug heads will be looking back to the past with great nostalgia about the 3 generations of a car that was quirky, practical and was also great on gas.

But what if the VW Bug wasn't cancelled initially?


In 1977, the VW Beetle as we know it was banned from being sold in the US

What if, VW takes 3 years off to redesign a better looking, safer, and more emissions friendly Beetle and bring back the bug?

 

[Mark E.]

In the seventies, the spot-welded constructed made the original design too costly.

 

[riggerrob]

Emissions controls killed the VW Beetle in the North American market.
Air-cooled engines are inherently "loose" to allow different components (steel, aluminum, magnesium, etc.) to expand and contract at different rates. That is why air-cooled airplane engines always drip a bit of oil.
Perhaps a more refined water-boxer could have survived longer.

I still miss the VW Westphalia that I lived in for a couple of years.
Sniff!
Sniff!

 

[marathag]

In the seventies, the spot-welded constructed made the original design too costly.

And not strong enough for the new crash standards

But Federal requirements wasn't what killed the US Beetle, falling sales were
1973 343k sold
1974 275k
1975 75k

People finally woke and realized how shitty the Beetle actually was, some that should have been noticed in 1969 when new imports and new domestic compacts were so much better.
The Super Beetle should not have been done, but Golf sooner.

 

[SsgtC]

They should have started a full redesign in 74 when they saw the dip in sales. Then they could have released an all new Beetle for 76 (preferably, the marketing opportunity of a "new car for America's new century is immense) or 77. A new water cooled 4 cylinder and better (not great, just better) fit and finish would have boosted sales right back up.

 

[marathag]

fit and finish would have boosted sales right back up

Beetles, Super and otherwise were not a great value after the Datsun B110/1200 was imported, that had more power and better MPG than the VW. Several hundred $$$ cheaper, as well, and a choice in body styles, 2dr, 4dr sedans, wagons, fastbacks.....
And was reliable. You didn't have to fiddle with the motor as much.

 

[SsgtC]

Beetles, Super and otherwise were not a great value after the Datsun B110/1200 was imported, that had more power and better MPG than the VW. Several hundred $$$ cheaper, as well, and a choice in body styles, 2dr, 4dr sedans, wagons, fastbacks.....
And was reliable. You didn't have to fiddle with the motor as much.

That's why I said it needs a full redesign. No half measures.