While Volkswagen continues to think about a comeback of the Beetle as an electric car, it is already going into series production in China. Great Wall Motors’ brazen copy of “Ora Punk Cat” is now rolling off the production line there. VW is considering legal action.
Volkswagen Beetle available as an electric car in China
For years there have been rumors that Volkswagen is one of its most iconic models as an E variant could reissue. To date, however, the VW ID.Beetle is not available for purchase. In China, on the other hand, things are at least one step further, because Great Wall Motors’ “Ora Punk Cat” is just going into series production there. The electric car based on the German model was presented for the first time in spring 2021.
When it comes to design, the Chinese manufacturer has changed its mind 1950s VW Beetle oriented. Unlike the original, the new edition has four doors. Great Wall Motors specifies 200 kilowatts and 299 hp as peak performance (source: Car News China). However, no concrete information is available on the range. The LFP battery itself is said to come from the manufacturer CATL.
Although the appearance of the E-Beetle is the same as the original from Germany and spherical headlights and the typical Beetle steering wheel have not been dispensed with, the manufacturer has adopted the design in China and Europe secured by patent. It is not yet clear whether the electric car will also be offered outside of China.
With the ID.Buzz, VW has already electrified another classic:
China Beetle: VW is considering legal action
Volkswagen had already explained in 2021 that a legal action against Great Wall Motors don’t want to rule it out. At the latest with the series production that has now started, the topic should become topical again at VW. It remains unclear whether and when an electric Beetle will be manufactured by VW. As VW boss, Herbert Diess recently spoke of a “possibility” in this regard.