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7 million Volkswagen – including one million New Beetle – built in Mexico.

As an owner of a 2000 New Beetle GLX 1.8T, it’s great to see the New Beetle hit this mark. In an automotive world of ridicule, the New Beetle has received plenty, especially in the VW community. It’s a girls car. It’s a “gay” car and more. Yet, if you look at the data, the Jetta rates up in those same categories.

Either way, I have met a ton of great New Beetle owners over the years, not only in the states but across the pond. This blog’s original intent was to cover all things New Beetle. Obviously it has grown out of that and into more subjects (check out our New Beetle racing images).

My New Beetle still has a list of mod’s to come. I drove it a year without starting any modifications. Every day I drive it, I still enjoy the ride! I have more New Beetle paraphernalia than I know what to do with…

Has the New Beetle lived longer than it should.. Some enthusiast would say yes. The sales have not been that great as the years have passed but I think 10 years is a great stint. There have been rumors and renders floating over the net about future models and adopting the space up! platform. Even rear engine which should have been in the original design.

Here’s to 10 years! (We have some more news regarding the 10th Anniversary too!)

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, today opened the ceremony celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Volkswagen New Beetle in the presence of the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, and guests from politics and industry.

At the same time, more than 300 distinguished guests in Puebla also celebrated the production of the seven millionth Fahrzeuges Volkswagen in Mexico, which is at the same time the world’s one millionth New Beetle. The New Beetle was launched on the market ten years ago in January 1998. The vehicle is still exclusively built in Mexico for markets all over the world.

Otto Lindner, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen de Méexico, welcomed the guests. He underlined that the New Beetle was the first vehicle to be manufactured in Mexico for export worldwide. “Thanks to the success of the New Beetle, all models produced in Puebla today are exported from Mexico to over 100 countries.”

In his speech at the ceremony, der Vorsitzende des Vorstands der Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Dr. Prof. Dr.Martin Winterkorn, underscored his confidence in the Mexican location. He confirmed that Volkswagen would be investing approximately one billion US$ in Mexico over the next three years for Jetta production and capacity optimization at the Puebla plant. “As our only production location in North America to date, Puebla plays a key role in our growth strategy for North America. Volkswagen de México and the Mexican supplier industry are certain to benefit from this.”

Prof. Dr. Winterkorn was delighted with the celebrations in Puebla: “The New Beetle has done a good job. 10 years and one million cars after production start-up it is still an important member of the Volkswagen family. We will be continuing this success story with the next generation of the New Beetle.

- VW

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