VW Golf overtakes the Beetle at last

THE Volkswagen Golf has finally overtaken the Beetle as Volkswagen's highest production model, after the 21,517,415th Golf rolled off the factory line in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Production of the Golf, now in its fourth generation, exceeds that of the original Beetle, which is still being built in Mexico. The Golf is assembled in six factories around the world in Germany, South Africa, Belgium, the Slovak Republic and Brazil.

The first Golf hit the roads 28 years ago and has since become the best-selling car in Germany and western Europe. In the UK last year, 67,099 Golf cars units were sold, almost 17% more than in 2000.

The 21,517,415th Golf – a V5 model, finished in reflex silver metallic paint and fitted with refinements such as electronic climate control and parking sensors – has been bought by a driver in Hamburg.