Volkswagen will cease to produce its iconic “hippie van” by 31 December 2013 as the vehicle cannot meet the safety standards the Brazilian government has introduced.
First discontinued in Germany in 1979, and Mexico in 1994, purchasing this van will become more difficult.
Production will end in Volkswagen’s last factory in Sao Paolo, but not before the staff make a few more limited-edition vehicles, that come in robin’s egg blue with special vinyl upholstery adorning its interiors.
An icon of ’60s counter-culture, the van represents freedom and has a “magic charm”, as stated by Damon Ristau, the director of The Bus, a documentary which details the history of this iconic vehicle.
However, the VW bus will still be seen on roads as over 10 million of them have been produced.
[via NPR and CNBC]