VW Mexico sees 60,000 New Beetle convertibles in 2003

MEXICO CITY, Nov 14, 2002; Reuters reported that the Mexican unit of German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) (XETRA:VOWG.DE - News) hopes to raise its flagging production numbers in 2003 by assembling 60,000 of the company's new model, the New Beetle convertibles, the company said on Thursday.

Volkswagen's plant in Puebla, Mexico is the only place in the world that makes the New Beetle and its convertible version. New Beetle convertible production began in September, and 260 have been assembled so far.

VW Mexico also said it was beginning to ship the new model to the United States this month and planned to export 38,000 out of its next year's production of New Beetle convertibles in the United States., which buys most cars assembled in Mexico.

VW also produces old-fashioned Beetles, Jettas and other models in Mexico.

A VW Mexico spokesman said the company sees production at the Puebla plant falling almost 11 percent in 2002, to 340,000 units from 380,690 units last year, due to lower demand in the United States.

"Of course," the spokesman said when asked if the new model would help the company turn around its production numbers next year.