In the news: Volkswagen of America, Inc. the maker of high quality Volkswagen parts has announced recently that the US sales of the legendary New Beetle was able to reach the half-million mark. The new beetle made its worldwide debut nine years ago at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.



Sales of Volkswagen's original Beetle in the US were strong throughout the 1960s up to the end of its US run in 1979. It has remained dormant for sometime but made its comeback and featured more improvements in both style and features than its predecessors. It was in the year 1998 that the New Beetle has made its presence felt once again in the US. And within the span of nine months the New Beetle sold half-million units --- the same figures which took the original Beetle thirteen years to accomplish.

According to Adrian Hallmark, Executive Vice President, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The New Beetle is fun, functional and enduring. It maintains its strength and popularity in the market and its icon status promises that the New Beetle will continue to be a magnet for the brand."

The new Beetle was originally presented as the Concept 1 at the 1994 North American International Auto Show. Its debut was a successful one and was able to satisfy America's desire for fresh and unique design. When it was finally offered to the public in 1998, sales quickly surpassed the anticipated 50,000 units. The introduction of the New Beetle has helped Volkswagen in rejuvenating sales in the US market.

The presence of the New Beetle in the market has created the Bug mania starting off with the return of the ?punch buggy? game up to the 2005 movie Herbie. The New Beetle is fully loaded and exemplifies the modern cultural phenomenon. Owners of New Beetle come together annually in what they call as ?Bug Ins? in Roswell, New Mexico.

Volkswagen is continuously modifying their New Beetle lineup to further meet the demands of their customers. As proof of this, in 1999 they VW has offered a turbo version Beetle and a convertible model in the year 2003. The 2005 New Beetle was given a more dynamic new shape, for a more aggressive and masculine look. VW has also equipped the New Beetle with an all-new 2.5 liter, in-line cylinder gasoline engine that cranks up 150 horsepower.

For its 2007 New Beetle, Volkswagen is cooking up some great surprises for everyone. VW will once again offer a Triple White New Beetle Convertible. And that's not all! Volkswagen will also offer a limited number of New Beetles at an amazing starting price of $16,490.