Volkswagen ending Kombi production

Posted 24th October, 2012 in Volkswagen | Leave a comment

Volkswagen is ceasing production of its iconic Kombi after 63 years of non-stop production, in response to more rigorous safety regulations in Brazil.

First introduced by the Wolfsburg company in 1950, it was also known as the Type 2 – following the Type 1 (Beetle), and featured that unmistakeable split front windsreen. Since the mid-nineties the T2 has been built at VW’s Anchieta factory in Sao Paulo with the plant constructing around 251 units per day. They retain their familiar 1.6-litre air cooled engines for the Brazilian market, but models destined for Mexico feature a fuel-injected 1.8-litre watercooled powerplant – easily identified by their large front-mounted radiator.

From January 1 2014, the law dictates that all new vehicles must be equipped with both passenger and driver airbags and ABS (anti-lock braking system). Volkswagen deemed it economically unviable to bring the T2 inline with the regulations, so production is slated to end on December 31 2013.

Depending on who you talk to, the manufacturer’s cheeky Microbus concept will be launched as the new generation Bulli in 2015. Time will tell.