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July 16, 2003
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This Week:

• GM India Launches Chevrolet Optra

• VW Beetle: Production of the "Última Edición" starts

• Dodge Caravan and Disney's "The Lion King: Special Edition"; The King of the Minivan Celebrates the King of DVDs

• Gov. Riley Announces Major Expansion of Toyota Manufacturing Facilities In Huntsville/Madison County Alabama Area

• BMW Group establishes sales subsidiary in Malaysia

• Ford Names J Mays Group Vice President of Design

• Porsche(R) GT3 Launches on Michelin Pilot Sport Tires

• Valeo secures first multi-million euro contract for new Mechanical Multi-Exchanger

• LEONI in the starting blocks for large-scale GM contract

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VW Beetle: Production of the "Última Edición" starts

Photo: VW
 

With the start of production of the "Última Edición", Volkswagen de México in Puebla marked the last phase of production of the legendary Beetle. The last Beetle will leave the factory on 30 July. In the presence of Melquiades Morales Flores, Governor of Puebla, Rocío Ruiz, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, and other representatives drawn from public life, Dr Jens Neumann, Member of the Management Board of Volkswagen AG and head of the Region North America, and Reinhard Jung, Chairman of the Volkswagen de México management board, gave the signal to start production of the "Última Edición".

Neumann emphasised that, with the "Última Edición", the Beetle would be showing itself at its best and added: "True stars, and their fans, know when it's time to quit." He went on to say that for many years, Volkswagen in Mexico, had been about more than just the Beetle. Since it was founded in 1964, VW de México had almost always been market leader in the passenger vehicle segment. Currently the Group is at the top of the table with a market share of some 28 percent across the three brands Volkswagen, Seat and Audi.

Jung reminded those present that in March 1954, the first imported Beetle reached the shores of Mexico, prior to the start of production in an assembly plant near Mexico City in 1955. In total, he said, 1.7 million Beetles had been built in Mexico, of these, 100,000 vehicles had been for the export markets. Additional best sellers, such as the Golf, Jetta, New Beetle and New Beetle Cabrio, had contributed to a production total of 5.7 million vehicles, of which 2.6 million had been exported. He added that Volkswagen de México, with some 14,000 employees, was a major factor in the economic development of the country.

A total of 3,000 "Última Edición" Beetles will be built, and will be available in the colours Aquarius Blue and Harvest Moon Beige. The Beetle has a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a power output of 34 kW. In addition to standard equipment, the special model has chrome trim strips, and chrome parts such as bumpers, hub caps and mirrors. The model is enhanced with colour-coded rims and whitewall tyres, a rear shelf, and a radio with a CD player and four speakers.

(July 10, 2003)