German carmaker Volkswagen’s (VW) plant in the Mexican state of Puebla rolled out its last iconic Beetle on Wednesday (July 10) as it transitions into the production of compact trucks in 2020 after the firm last year announced it would focus on SUVs, the best-selling vehicles in the Mexico’s biggest export market, the United States.
The Puebla plant produced 3,642 units of its newest Beetle and Beetle Cabriolet in June. These models have been produced exclusively at this plant since 1997, marking a modern take on the traditional Beetle.
In June, strong demand for SUVs boosted auto sales at several U.S. firms, such as Fiat Chrysler and Hyundai Motor Co, and companies offered discounts of up to 30% on these more profitable models.
VW assembles its Tiguan SUV in Puebla. In June, the plant produced 18,558 Tiguan units, 15,277 Jetta cars and 6,683 Golf vehicles.
The German carmaker also announced they will begin producing the Tarek sport utility vehicle (SUV) at its plant in Puebla in 2020 and sales will start by the end of 2021, Steffen Reiche, the chief executive of Volkswagen de Mexico said on Wednesday.
In 1996, former President Ernesto Zedillo unveiled the production of the revised Beetle model together with former Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the architect of Germany’s 1990 reunification and mentor to Angela Merkel. (REUTERS)
(Production: Carlos Carrillo)
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