Volkswagen Says No to Beetle EV
With the all-electric ID. Buzz van now on sale, we assumed Volkswagen would lean further into its heritage by resurrecting the Beetle as an EV as well. Rumors from as far back as 2018 suggested that might be the case, but VW CEO Thomas Schäfer says it's not happening.
Shown above, the 2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster concept.
When asked by Autocar whether the Beetle would return as an electric vehicle, Schäfer killed all hopes for Beetle enthusiasts going forward.
"I don't think so, because there are certain vehicles that have had their day," he told Autocar. "It wouldn't make sense to bring it back."
The modern Beetle entered production in 1997, lasting all the way until 2019 when it was discontinued, with no replacement planned.
"I wouldn't say with 100-percent [certainty]," Schäfer added, regarding the Beetle' future. "But from where I stand now, I wouldn't consider it. It's the same as Scirocco: it had its day, then there was a new model based on a reinterpretation. To do that again? I don't think so. And going forward with balancing all these technologies and the cost that is associated with it, you've got to invest money in the best possible place."
The decision pretty much ends the possibility of seeing the little bug-shaped two-door continue on after 65 years of production. Sorry Beetle fans.
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