VOLKSWAGEN and British Car Auctions enlisted the help of bikini-clad girls, a steel band and palm trees to celebrate the launch of the Beetle Cabriolet at a sale in Birmingham last week.

More than 200 Volkswagens went under the hammer. All were sold, reaching an average of 102% of Cap Clean.

Ten Beetle Cabriolets were sold, achieving an average of 97.3% of the current list price. A new Beetle 2.3 V5 Sport, 02 reg with 13,200 miles fetched £14,100.

Steve Clarke, account manager, remarketing services at BCA, said: 'The new VW Beetle Cabriolet has swiftly gained iconic status and the official debut of the model underlined this. To achieve used car values at near 'cost-new' levels is exceptional under any circumstances.'

Other models sold included a 1.9 GT TDi 5-door Golf, 02 reg with 3,977 miles for £15,600 and a 1.4 S 3-door Polo, 02 reg with 11,300 miles for £7,950.