Going, Going, Gone

Volkswagen of America Inc. officials say it doesn't matter that the New Beetle Convertible is coming to market about a year later than intended — the first year's worth of vehicles already are spoken for.

First-year sales of the New Beetle Convertible, now on sale, are estimated at 33,000 units, says Frank Maguire, VWA vice president-sales and marketing.

He says sales in the first two years will be supported by pent-up demand for the drop-top, the possibility of which has been drumming up excitement among Beetle enthusiasts since the New Beetle arrived in model year '99.

The convertible, which replaces the Cabrio, is a way to increase the New Beetle's profile, as there are no plans to redesign the sedan version. “Because of the shape, if we do much to it, we'll lose the Beetle,” Maguire says. Other “life-cycle management” changes will be done through new colors and wheels, he says.

Maguire is not worried about the New Beetle becoming dated, pointing out that the last Beetle sold from 1949 to 1979.