The Beetle and Scirocco coupé may not continue in VW’s line-up after their current generations run out. At Volkswagen’s 2017 annual session, the subject of replacing models was discussed, including the future of the Beetle, which is built on an old platform, and the Scirocco.
The Beetle is one of the slowest-selling cars in the carmaker’s portfolio, with just 5,774 units being sold across Europe in the first quarter of 2017 and a total of 25,127 in 2016. Less than half those numbers of Sciroccos were sold in the same time: 2,054 until the end of March 2017 and 10,752 in all of 2016. VW managed to sell more models of the Golf in the month of January than the two models’ sales combined for 2016.
VW board member Arno Antlitz responded, saying, “The Beetle and Scirocco are representatives of an emotional and appealing class of vehicles, but it [VW product planning] is not always about continuing cars from one generation to the next.”
Axing the slow-selling Beetle and Scirocco would make sense, despite the brand’s aim of offering products that appeal to the heart. Antlitz said the upcoming ID electric models, as well as existing new models such as the Arteon luxury sedan, would fill the emotional void left by the outgoing cars.
