OT: VW squishes the Beetle
12-05-2009, 08:51 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
OT: VW squishes the Beetle
This is according to an announcement that was made at the LA Auto show. Wow, the Beetle will have limited editions made, then gone! Poof!
Is the 911 next?
Is the 911 next?
12-05-2009, 09:26 AM
#2
In a word, no.
Porsche will, according to all I have read, become a pure sporting marque. The truck and the limo will disappear in time. There may be 'extensions' to the current line of roadsters and 2+2 coupes, most likely a new smaller sports car below the Boxter/Cayman.
For me the big question is how well the new VW ownership will be able to replace the current 911 and Boxter/Cayman when the time comes. It was not easy for Porsche to go from the 356 bathtub to the 911 or from air-cooled to water-cooled engines. (I remember the outrage when the 928 was released.) Imagine the howls from Porsche enthusiasts when the new VW-owned Porsche makes that sort of change to the current line(s.) It will be even more difficult to persuade the Porsche faithful to accept change when it will be seen as being imposed on Porsche from outside. And, of course, it is not certain that Porsche under VW ownership will have the sense and sensitivity to make the next Porsche a proper Porsche even if it is very different from those that have come before.
While we wait for the answers, we can enjoy our cars which will always be the last pur sang Porsches.
Porsche will, according to all I have read, become a pure sporting marque. The truck and the limo will disappear in time. There may be 'extensions' to the current line of roadsters and 2+2 coupes, most likely a new smaller sports car below the Boxter/Cayman.
For me the big question is how well the new VW ownership will be able to replace the current 911 and Boxter/Cayman when the time comes. It was not easy for Porsche to go from the 356 bathtub to the 911 or from air-cooled to water-cooled engines. (I remember the outrage when the 928 was released.) Imagine the howls from Porsche enthusiasts when the new VW-owned Porsche makes that sort of change to the current line(s.) It will be even more difficult to persuade the Porsche faithful to accept change when it will be seen as being imposed on Porsche from outside. And, of course, it is not certain that Porsche under VW ownership will have the sense and sensitivity to make the next Porsche a proper Porsche even if it is very different from those that have come before.
While we wait for the answers, we can enjoy our cars which will always be the last pur sang Porsches.
12-05-2009, 10:14 AM
#3
Nordschleife Master
When the 11 is gone, Porsche is finished.
12-05-2009, 10:29 AM
#4
I think the New Beetle had a very good run....perhaps the most successful retro car? I think the only other one doing well is the Mustang. Remember the T bird? Anyone who wanted one picked it up in the first production year. The Golf is simply more practical.
VW is one of the geatest auto producers of all time. Their product line is very impressive. They normally excel in each categry/class they are in and are very innovative. They also make a ton of money ( also, have you seen their stock price?) which is not bad for a company that has a lot of their production and design in a high cost unionized country. Porsche is agreat company that makes great cars but they are vulnerable. The market for sports cars is severely cyclical and a few more of those could kill the company. Porsche got into SUV market late in the game with a heavy model...not the trend. In the end the SUVs and the four door sedan won't save them. VW has a lot to offer Porsche. I still think the next big thing for the 911 is an aluminum body. VW has great experience with this in-house. I believe there will be fewer 911 models at higher prices in the future and the volume focus will be on the Boxster/Caymann and the new entry level car shared with VW. The Panamera is unviable unless it is built on a shared platform ( Phaeton/A8/Bentley). Finally, Porsche almost self destructed when it tried to take over VW. They could have gotten themselves into a real mess and then taken over by Tata or Fiat.
Finally, weren't the 993's the last of "the real Porsches"?
VW is one of the geatest auto producers of all time. Their product line is very impressive. They normally excel in each categry/class they are in and are very innovative. They also make a ton of money ( also, have you seen their stock price?) which is not bad for a company that has a lot of their production and design in a high cost unionized country. Porsche is agreat company that makes great cars but they are vulnerable. The market for sports cars is severely cyclical and a few more of those could kill the company. Porsche got into SUV market late in the game with a heavy model...not the trend. In the end the SUVs and the four door sedan won't save them. VW has a lot to offer Porsche. I still think the next big thing for the 911 is an aluminum body. VW has great experience with this in-house. I believe there will be fewer 911 models at higher prices in the future and the volume focus will be on the Boxster/Caymann and the new entry level car shared with VW. The Panamera is unviable unless it is built on a shared platform ( Phaeton/A8/Bentley). Finally, Porsche almost self destructed when it tried to take over VW. They could have gotten themselves into a real mess and then taken over by Tata or Fiat.
Finally, weren't the 993's the last of "the real Porsches"?
12-05-2009, 10:36 AM
#5
Nordschleife Master
12-05-2009, 12:38 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Trending Topics
12-05-2009, 06:33 PM
#11
Racer
Join Date: May 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought the news was only that the current model was being shut down. Then after factory retooling, the newer Beetle design (lower and sleeker) would start production.
12-05-2009, 06:47 PM
#12
The retro Beetle was off the Golf platform. Really had nothing to do with the rear engine simplicity of the original Beetle. Much like the 'new' Thunderbird, the retro look was a skin-deep marketing device that worked for a couple of years and then lost it's novelty. There were always much better, more practical hatches on the mkt, imo. Not a car I will miss... The 911 is, by contrast, an icon that actually draws in some ways off a long tradition. Plus -- unlike the the bug -- the 911 is awesome.
12-05-2009, 06:57 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
that's interesting...I didn't read anything else other than the new Beetle was doomed. It's nice to see you, my friend!
12-05-2009, 09:29 PM
#14
Racer
Join Date: May 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
