Volkswagen is to AXE its classic Beetle car

• Firm has said there are ‘no immediate plans’ to replace the classic car 
• There will be one last edition of the car in 2019, which will be the ‘Final Model’ 
• The move comes as Volkswagen sets out to emphasise electric cars

Hard to believe, but it’s been almost 20 years since Volkswagen brought back the Beetle. That era might be coming to an end sooner than we thought.

It is being claimed that the Beetle will disappear by the end of 2018. This rumour is exactly that – a rumour best taken with a grain of salt – as company officials have decline to comment on “media speculation.”

That being said, the move – if it pans out – could be a smart one. The Beetle might be cute and have more personality than many other compact hatchbacks out there, but sales have been slowing considerably over the last little while.

Plus, from a competitive standpoint, the Beetle is falling behind. The Beetle has been around in its current form since 2011, while its main competitor – the Mini Cooper – was redesigned last year. And while much of Volkswagen‘s small car lineup is moving to the company’s MQB platform architecture, there are few signs the Beetle will be extended the same lifeline.

Time will tell, though. Given today’s trend towards CUVs, the butched-up Dune could be the shot in the arm Volkswagen needs for Beetle sales.

Credit: catdump.com/allworldreport.com/dailymail.co.uk