Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
    • 2022 Canadians To Watch
    • 2022 Diversity Champions
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • EVs Decoded
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Cars & Concepts
July 11, 2019 01:13 PM

VW to start Mexican production of small crossover bound for Canada, U.S.

Wire reports
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    tarek.jpg
    YouTube screen grab

    PUEBLA, Mexico -- With the end of Beetle output, Volkswagen Group will begin producing the Tarek small crossover at its plant in the Mexican state of Puebla in 2020 and sales will start by the end of 2021, VW of Mexico CEO Steffen Reiche said on Wednesday.

    The vehicle, discussed with U.S. dealers at the NADA convention in January and confirmed by Volkswagen Canada on Thursday, is expected to be slotted below the Tiguan crossover. 

    VW Canada spokesman Thomas Tetzlaff said in an email to Automotive News Canada that Tarek “is just an internal working name only” in Canada. Scott Keogh, CEO of Volkswagen of America, told Automotive News this year that the subcompact crossover would have a different name in the U.S. market. 

    On Wednesday, VW marked the end of Beetle production at the Puebla plant.

    “We (along with our friends to the south) will be getting a new, smaller-than-Tiguan SUV in 2021 out of Puebla,” Tetzlaff wrote. 

    Volkswagen of America said in September 2018 it planned to end output of the Beetle, closing another chapter for one of the auto industry's most storied nameplates. Demand for the venerable Beetle, like other cars, has been declining as more Canadians and Americans embrace light trucks, notably crossovers.

    VW Group has also been pulling the Beetle from select global markets as part of a broader effort to streamline its bloated product lineup.

    REUTERS

    Employees pose during a ceremony marking the end of production of the VW Beetle at the company's assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico, on July 10, 2019.

    The new compact crossover will be a beefed-up version of a model sold in China named Tharu.

    “We’ll adapt the Chinese model for this market,” Reiche said during an event at the Puebla plant. “Our version will be the stronger one, the rougher one compared to the Chinese one.”

    Tetzlaff said “it will be unique to North America” and that final details about the vehicle “are still being worked on.”

    Demand for the Beetle and other hatchbacks has been crushed by years of low gasoline prices. Trucks have been capturing record share of the U.S. market, prompting automakers including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ford Motor Co. to drop many of the passenger car models from their lineups.

    VW announced the plans about a month after Mexico became the first country to ratify the overhauled North American free-trade deal known as the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement, or USMCA. The accord requires that 75 percent of vehicle content be sourced from North America to cross borders tariff-free.

    The rules represent a “big challenge” for VW, whose regional content is now at 64 percent, Reiche said.

    VW’s Puebla plant also builds the Jetta sedan and Tiguan SUV. Reiche said the last Beetle will be sold online through Amazon.

    Reuters, Bloomberg and Greg Layson from Automotive News Canada contributed to this report.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Chevrolet to end production of Camaro sports car in 2024
    Recommended for You
    CHEVY_CAMARO-MAIN_i.jpg
    Chevrolet to end production of Camaro sports car in 2024
    ChallengerDemon170-MAIN_i.jpg
    2023 Dodge SRT Challenger Demon 170 roars with 1,025 hp
    GLAGLB-MAIN_i.jpg
    Mercedes-Benz tunes up its 2024 entry-level GLA crossover
    Andy Wadeson
    Sponsored Content: Expert Insights: The Implications of Rising Interest Rates
    Digital Edition
    March 2023 Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
      • 2022 Canadians To Watch
      • 2022 Diversity Champions
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
      • EVs Decoded
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS