Beetle-juiced

Futuristic version of VW's classic car a hit with buyers

Since Volkswagen's New Beetle came to a State College dealership, it has jammed waiting lists and begun a frenzy.

So far, there is a waiting list for about 20 cars at Shields Motor Co., 3280 W. College Ave., and the first car that has been sold will be delivered to its owner this week, said Tom Shields, a Shields employee.

The New Beetle proves that a previous success can be improved upon, according to a Volkswagen news release.

Vipul Shah (senior-finance) said although he would be in the market for a sportier and more powerful vehicle, the new "fun car" will appeal especially to teen-agers and college students. He added that the New Beetle is a good idea because the car was so popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

She also said she likes the futuristic look. Reintroducing the Beetle follows the recent trend of recycling past successes to make new ones, she said.

The New Beetle, equipped with standard features, is suggested to start selling at $15,200, according to Volkswagen's World Wide Web site (http://www3.vw.com).

The car is selling phenomenally, Shields said, and not only in State College. The New Beetles have sold out nationwide for the next couple of months, he added.

It competes with other "niche cars," Shields said, such as the Porsche Boxster and the Plymouth Prowler, but the difference is that just about everyone who wants one can afford to buy one.

The New Beetle has increased floor traffic at Shields Motors, he added.

Celebrities aside, Southern Californians are lining up to buy the New Beetle, dealers told the AP. Waiting lists are lengthening and bidding wars are breaking out.

Volkswagen originally planned to sell 50,000 New Beetles in the United States this year, according to the AP. The new estimated number stands at 60,000, averaging only seven cars to each of Volkswagen's nearly 600 dealerships nationwide, the AP reported.

Despite striking similarities to its predecessor, the New Beetle is not an update of the original but a completely new and modern car, according to Volkswagen. The New Beetle has better functionality than the original, up-to-date driver and passenger accommodations and many small-car safety precautions.

Bill Struncis, sales manager at Shields Motors Co., emphasized the features of the New Beetle. The car has "excellent acceleration, an excellent braking system, and a solid, smooth ride," he said.

Also, he said, the New Beetle is unique.

"It's completely different from all of the cars out there right now as far as shape and everything," Struncis said. "I would think it relates to all types of different people, especially ones that had (a Beetle) when they were younger."