Photo: Volkswagen
We've heard numerous reports that Volkswagen will discontinue various models over the next years as one of the biggest brands in the world, certainly the largest in Europe, is looking to increase profitability, not just sales. The latest could prove the most controversial one yet, as the 3-door version of the Polo supermini and the famous Beetle coupe might get the axe.
German publication Spiegel suggests dropping the 3-door version from the next generation of the Polo, probably due out in 2018, could reduce costs by 200 million euros or 214 million dollars.
During 2014, the Polo was the 4th best selling car in Europe overall. It's also been in production for around four decades, making it the third most successful car in Volkswagen history. Still, demand for the 3-door model is low because it offers less practicality and the 5-door model only costs about 500 euros more.
Some companies have already made this move, like Renault, who in 2012 discontinued the 3-door Clio. Other firms have actually went the opposite way, adding a 3-door body in the effort to attract more customers. This is the case of Hyundai and its i20 Coupe.
An even more controversial move could be to stop making the Beetle altogether. According to the same source, development of the next-gen model has been stopped. With the current version launched in 2011 aging at an alarming pace, the future of the most iconic Volkswagen ever made could be uncertain.
We've already witnessed how the Beetle R project failed to materialize and the Beetle Dune is still pending approval. But with the MQB platform at hand, shouldn't Volkswagen at least consider keeping its famous coupe as a token of the past?
It's pretty clear that Volkswagen is willing to do just about anything in order to become an automotive juggernaut. While killing the affordable cars that made them famous, the Germans are dumping money into technology showcases like the XL1 or the Golf GTE. They are alos moving into the premium segment with a new Phaeton that will most likely continue to be offered with a W12 engine.
As this rate, we might as well call them RVW, short for Reich Volkswagen (rich people's car).
During 2014, the Polo was the 4th best selling car in Europe overall. It's also been in production for around four decades, making it the third most successful car in Volkswagen history. Still, demand for the 3-door model is low because it offers less practicality and the 5-door model only costs about 500 euros more.
Some companies have already made this move, like Renault, who in 2012 discontinued the 3-door Clio. Other firms have actually went the opposite way, adding a 3-door body in the effort to attract more customers. This is the case of Hyundai and its i20 Coupe.
An even more controversial move could be to stop making the Beetle altogether. According to the same source, development of the next-gen model has been stopped. With the current version launched in 2011 aging at an alarming pace, the future of the most iconic Volkswagen ever made could be uncertain.
We've already witnessed how the Beetle R project failed to materialize and the Beetle Dune is still pending approval. But with the MQB platform at hand, shouldn't Volkswagen at least consider keeping its famous coupe as a token of the past?
It's pretty clear that Volkswagen is willing to do just about anything in order to become an automotive juggernaut. While killing the affordable cars that made them famous, the Germans are dumping money into technology showcases like the XL1 or the Golf GTE. They are alos moving into the premium segment with a new Phaeton that will most likely continue to be offered with a W12 engine.
As this rate, we might as well call them RVW, short for Reich Volkswagen (rich people's car).
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