Volkswagen: An Appreciation of a Historic Vehicle

Americas Now

Volkswagon, an Appreciation

In South America, the Volkswagen, or “VW,” is still a common sight, especially in the countries that manufactured them. That may be changing as you will see in our look at the South American classic, The Volkswagen.

The president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, has garnered worldwide attention for the modest and low-key life he lives.

In addition to residing in a humble house, he is said to drive a 1976 Volkswagen Beetle to work every day. However, while that may seem out of the ordinary, believe it or not President Mujica is not alone.

Volkswagen: An Appreciation

In South America, the Volkswagen, or “VW,” is still a common sight, especially in the countries that manufactured them. That may be changing as you will see in our look at the South American classic, The Volkswagen.

VW’s are internationally recognized as symbols of free love and peace, but in Mexico City, the Volkswagen Beetle is just another taxi.

An estimated 90,000 of these graced the streets as cabs until 2003, until the last classic Beetle was manufactured in Mexico the same year.

In Brazil, the famous VW Minibus has been a vehicle of function for decades. Family car, mail truck, food stand, the Minibus does it all.

And with 1.5 million sold, it is the 8th most popular car in the country.

But this year, the last mini bus ever to be made rolled off the factory line in Sao Paulo,ending over 60 years of production

Two iconic cars, two similar tales. The end of an era for the classic VW.

Volkswagen is also very popular in the country with the world’s largest car market. China. In fact last year Volkswagen surpassed Ford in auto sales for the first time in nine years. VW has said it plans to invest 25 billion dollars in China, by the year 2018.