In 1933, Adolf Hitler gave the order to Ferdinand Porche to develope a “folksvagen” means "people's car" in German, later changed to” Volks-wagen", a basic vehicle that should be capable of transporting two adults and three children at a speed of 100 km/h.
Soon after that ,this car was launched all over the world including India. Though extremely successful in the period till late 1970’s, the Beetle was faced with stiff competition from more modern designs. Its peculiar styling, underpowered engine, rough ride, and high noise levels compared to modern vehicles might have made it a market failure. In its day, though, it was more comfortable and powerful than most European cars, and ultimately the longest-running and most-produced automobile of a single design.
This model got disappeared from indian market though that model was people,s most favorite car......and now again in coming 2009, Indians will have the chance to own the original 'people's car' - the New Beetle
In 1998, many years after the original model had been dropped from the lineup in most of the world, VW introduced the "New Beetle" which bore a cosmetic resemblance to the original. Beetle is now manufactured in Mexico for VW's worldwide supplies and could come to India through the completely built unit import route.
VW is investing 580 million euros (approx Rs 3,600 crore) in setting up a manufacturing facility at Chakan in Maharashtra from where it would roll out is small car for the Indian market.
It plans to launch its compact car based on the Polo platform in two variants - hatchback and sedan -- once it starts production at its Chakan plant in Maharashtra.
Earlier the company had said it was looking at bringing in a number of other products, like Passat CC, Phaeton and its SUV range.
The company currently sells Passat and the newly launched Jetta in the Indian market.
