Why are Volkswagen Beetles not imported into the UK in greater numbers?
Volkswagen has finally launched the 2012 Beetle, but it's limiting UK deliveries to 3000 this year, and is saying that the automatic version won't be available until next year. Searching the internet, the model spec and availability varies widely all over Europe. In 1999 the same thing happened and I went to Hamburg to buy one. They can't order it this time.
Further Internet research is now showing automatics are off the menu (except in Germany) as is the Basic beetle, but the list prices elsewhere are actually lower than the UK's. Taking prices for the standard ‘Design’ for comparison: UK £19,470; Germany (20,350 euro) £16,936; Holland (19,990 euro) £16,644. Even worse is the US price: $19,795 = £12,601. I feel paranoia coming on.
Further Internet research is now showing automatics are off the menu (except in Germany) as is the Basic beetle, but the list prices elsewhere are actually lower than the UK's. Taking prices for the standard ‘Design’ for comparison: UK £19,470; Germany (20,350 euro) £16,936; Holland (19,990 euro) £16,644. Even worse is the US price: $19,795 = £12,601. I feel paranoia coming on.
Asked on 15 June 2012 by AD, via email
Answered by
Honest John
I asked Volkswagen yesterday. What is happening is that the Mexican factory is concentrating on building masses of basic spec Jettas for the US market and does not have the capacity to produce enough Beetles to satisfy worldwide demand. So it’s basically Volkswagen strategy in attempting to dominate the US market for small sedans that is causing a shortage of Beetles. I have driven a 1.4TSI 160and a 1.2TSI 105 DSG automatic and they definitely have “want one” appeal.
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