Driving a 1996 Volkswagen Beetle up a steep hill in Cuautepec
German automaker Volkswagen
(VW) ended production of its Beetle model in 2019. But some communities around
the world are still demonstrating a lasting love for this famous vehicle.
One such area is Cuautepec, a
neighborhood outside of Mexico City. There are so many VW Beetles in the area
that some local people even nicknamed the neighborhood
“Vocholandia.” In Mexico, the VW Beetle is known as the “vocho.”
The vehicle has a long history
in the Mexican capital. At one time, VW Beetles were commonly used as taxis throughout
the city. But today, the northern neighborhood of Cuautepec is the place to go
to see the most Beetles.
Janette Navarro is the owner
of a 1996 Beetle. Navarro lives in the neighborhood. One reason the cars are so
popular is because the community is hilly, and the Beetle’s back-positioned
engine provides added power.
“No other car gets up here,”
Navarro said. “Just the vocho.” She drives her VW as a taxi. She started the
job eight years ago to support her three children. The job helped her put them
through school.
The first Beetle was introduced
in Germany in 1938. The first vehicle was developed by Austrian-born automotive
engineer Ferdinand Porsche. The Beetle grew to become very popular in the
United States and in other countries. It is known as “the people’s car.”
Beetles were manufactured in
Mexico, but production of older models ended in 2003. A newer model was
produced after that, but VW stopped all manufacturing of the vehicles in 2019.
The number of vochos is dropping off in Mexico City. Repairman David Enojosa said his family’s shop used to specialize mainly in Beetle parts. But now, they are no longer as easy to get because VW stopped production five years ago.
Enojosa predicted that if shortages continue, the area’s Beetles will disappear in two or three years. He added, “Before we had too many parts for vochos, now there aren’t enough.”
From VOA News (edited)
AP Photos/Aurea Del Rosario
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