New beetle - what are VW up to? | Ask Honest John

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New beetle - what are VW up to?

Volkswagen have finally launched the 2012 beetle. But they are limiting deliveries to 3000 this year, and are saying that the automatic version won't be available until next year!

Searching the web, the model specs/availabilty varies widely all over europe. Any ideas where I can get an automatic version, RH drive, this century?

In 1999, the same thing happened, and I went to Hamburg to buy one. They can't order it this time - I wonder if VW have "plugged" the loophole?

Asked on 14 March 2012 by anf1y

Answered by Honest John

Supposed to be driving it on Friday, if I have time after filming the Up! Built in Mexico, so maybe the cars are going to the US market first. Cars are now generally 15 - 20% dearer in mainland Europe than in the UK, so that's another reason why VAG is not exporting many to Britain.

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