Sub-brands are emerging as the latest trend, particularly among German automakers.
BMW has rolled out its new
i family of
electric vehicles.
Audi looks poised to spin the
TT off into its own line with added bodystyles.
Mercedes-Benz is expected to bring the
Maybach name, once its own brand, back as a model designation at the top of the
S-Class range. And now
Volkswagen is
rumored to be planning more retro models to follow in the footsteps of the
Beetle.
Word on the street in Germany is that, after three generations of
Beetle,
VW is weighing the possibility of expanding its retro offerings.
According to Autobild, Among those in contention to join the Beetle hatchback and convertible are a sportier Beetle coupe with an even sportier roofline than the latest Bug, a soft-roader in the mold of the
Beetle Dune concept (pictured at right) and a Micro-bus
minivan revival like the
Bulli concept (pictured above).
If those prove as successful as the Beetle itself, who knows what other members VW could add to the family? Like the expected next-generation Beetle, the entire family would almost certainly be based on the flexible new MQB modular architecture that already underpins the VW Golf, Audi A3, Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia.
Of course, if some – or all – of this sounds familiar, that's because we've heard rumors of expanded Beetle ranges and production Bulli Microbus throwbacks many times before. Even though Autobild is normally reliable, if you're like us, you'll take this latest report with a whole box of salt.

If those prove as successful as the Beetle itself, who knows what other members VW could add to the family? Like the expected next-generation Beetle, the entire family would almost certainly be based on the flexible new MQB modular architecture that already underpins the VW Golf, Audi A3, Seat Leon and Skoda Octavia.
Of course, if some – or all – of this sounds familiar, that's because we've heard rumors of expanded Beetle ranges and production Bulli Microbus throwbacks many times before. Even though Autobild is normally reliable, if you're like us, you'll take this latest report with a whole box of salt.