Due to its unique shape and low cost, the VW Beetle is perhaps the most recognizable vehicle ever to grace international roads. Since the original Bug faded away into history, the folks in Wolfsburg seem to have gotten away from budget wheels in favor of high-quality, but pricey, offerings. That's all about to change, however, as Volkswagen plans to unveil their blueprint for a new bargain VW at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The noble idea is to produce a vehicle for under €8,000 while retaining the look and feel that VW customers have come to expect. With the high cost of labor in Europe, the idea may seem like a pipe dream, but VW's plants in China and Mexico should be able to get the job done. We're probably not the only ones that hope V-dub can pull this one off.

[Source: The German Car Blog]

Frankfurt Motor Show rumors: VW unveiling ultra-cheap ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

No, not that one ... think Chevette, General Motors' thrifty little import fighter known for being long on mileage yet somewhat short on charisma. Pre-production examples of the General Motors hatchback started rolling off the line at GM's Flint, Mich. plant back in May 1975. And for those thinking that the only things the Chevette and Corvette share are a suffix and a bowtie badge, take note: The former was actually assembled at the same plant that originally birthed the latter more than 20 years earlier. Want more? Both were available as two-door, two-seaters (one for the sport of it, the other for cost-saving reasons).

Interestingly, the Sloan Museum in Flint has retained Chevette No. 00001, which has accrued a grand total of 14.4 miles on its odometer -- and the historic hatch is available for viewing.

Click on the link for more details on the history of Chevrolet's other 'Vette.

[Sources: The Flint Journal; McLellansautomotive.com]

Chevrolet's 'Vette celebrates 30 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.