Mexico City VW Beetle taxi ban by 2012

[wiltjk]

I suspect a sign of the times as we go clean/green:

Mexico City VW Beetle taxi ban by 2012 - CNN iReport

[chumly]

It would be nice if they could sell them here in the states again, they are the easiest cars to work on.

[Kermit]

I had a 9 year old Mexican Bug back in 1993. I absolutely hated that car. Parts were "normal" US spec style parts as it seemed like everything I had to replace was just a few millimeters off. Just as I was getting to junk it and take the loss on it a lady knocked on my door and had to have it. I told her of the problems and that didn't deter her so I sold it to her without feeling guilty.

The wife has since wanted another bug but I am so bitter over that one.....never again. That reminds me I have to fix the brokevw in my garage.

[xcrew229x]

It's really cause the drug dealers refuse to ride in them, and we know (wink) who runs Mexico.

[Carl242]

Beetle cabs in Mexico gone by 2012? Sounds like that year really will be the end of the world as we know it :P

[ALSRAC]

There was a time when you could see thousands of Beetle or "Vochos" taxis in Mexico City, nowadays they're a rare sight.
This is not new, the mexican government announced this years ago and after that the old Beetle production ended, that was in 2003.
Tomorrow I'll post pictures of the taxis I saw last september.

[BigWarpGuy]

Would this apply to the VW Microbus that they still make in Mexico? I read that it is still going strong. Small business in Mexico love the Microbus.

[ALSRAC]

I already have said at least 3 or 4 times that the VW Microbus is no longer made nor sold in Mexico, I don't know where or when you read that, again, check the VW's mexican website to see for yourself: www.vw.com.mx

I can't find the adapter to put my camera's memory card to upload pictures, as soon as I find it, I'll post them.

[Carl242]

I know the microbus is still made and going strong in Brazil. Though it is now water-cooled. They call it a kombi there (same as they call Vanagons in South Africa and Zimbabwe)

[ALSRAC]

Finally found the adapter and time to upload the pictures.
These are some of the taxis I saw in september in Mexico City:

Nissan Versa:



Ford Fiesta:



Pontiac Matiz:



Chevy Corsa:



Nissan Tsuru:



VW Pointer:



VW Lupo:



This is one of the very few VW Bugs I saw:



AS you can see the taxis in Mexico City are no longer white/green.