the third generation of the Volkswagen icon is officially back: The one and only Beetle. In a symbolic ceremony, Ayala Auto Holdings Corporation (AAHC) and Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI), led by its Chairman, Fernando Zobel de Ayala his brother, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and CEO JP Orbeta officially released the Volkswagen Beetle to the Philippine market at The Mind Museum itself an icon.
A look back to the start: at the beginning, Volkswagen built one of the most successful cars of all time and did not even give it a name. Why should it? After all, it was the Volkswagen! The People’s Car! People from all generations and cultures loved it, and on all of the world’s continents the small car was nicknamed according to precisely what it looked like: Beetle. It embodied the automotive concept itself and symbolized the democratization of mobility, with 21.5 million cars sold since its first production in 1939 to 1997.
Then the New Beetle arrived in 1998. It introduced a new automotive feeling to the world and brought with it Beetle Mania. In 2010, the Final Edition completed the New Beetle series that had sold more than one million cars. And now, looking forward, the future of the most famous car in the world begins now, in a completely new generation.
The Beetle is an icon. It has inspired countless stories all over the world, Hollywood included. It is a story by itself. The success story of the Volkswagen Beetle has played no small role in making it an icon of automotive history. The new generation now bridges the gap from old and familiar to new lifestyles. With a new design and the latest technologies, the Beetle reveals itself as a car of the 21st century – bolder, more dynamic and truly engineered to play.
“No other car evokes as much nostalgia, tradition, and heritage as the Beetle. As such, I am especially pleased and excited to launch a car as iconic and celebrated as the one we have launched tonight”, said Fernando Zobel de Ayala.
The new Beetle breaks free of the geometry of the previous model and displays impressive sports appeal – primarily in its extended bonnet, sharply swept-back windscreen and a longer wheelbase. Modified interior ergonomics have produced an agile, driver-oriented coupé experience in the new Beetle. In addition, it offers a distinctly improved feeling of space with its longer roof section.
“The Beetle has always been special to me. I first learned how to drive with a Beetle and will always have fond memories, as I’m sure many Filipinos do. And now, I am extremely proud to be heralding the return of the world’s most iconic car back to Philippine shores”, said Mr. JP Orbeta, president of Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI), the official importer and distributor of Volkswagen cars in the country.
Chery Motors Philippines, Inc. (CMPI), the exclusive distributor of Chery vehicles in the country announced the release of 6 new models to the Philippine market.
To be released in the market immediately after the Holy Week will be 4 all-new cars and 2 additional variants to the current commercial vehicle line-up.
Entering as an all-new player is the Chery X1 Mini SUV. Sporting a 1.3-liter engine that is both frugal and powerful, the spacious 5-seater hatchback mini sports-use features a taller ground clearance than the common car and a bigger boot space with 530 cubic inches of cargo space and full folding seats.
Chery’s QQ3 and its phenomenal presence in the Philippines is expected to be duplicated with 2013 QQ3. Renewed from the ground up, and retooled for better performance and safety the new QQ3 showcases new engine and transmission technologies.