The special final-edition Beetles sold in Mexico in 2003 were called the Última Edición.
Volkswagen introduced this commemorative version as production of the original Type 1 came to an end at its Puebla, Mexico, plant. The Spanish name means “Last Edition,” fitting its role as a farewell to the long-running air-cooled model.
Volkswagen produced 2,999 Última Edición cars for public sale through Mexican dealers. The final Beetle built was not part of that retail allocation; it was sent to the Volkswagen Museum in Wolfsburg, Germany. Production ended on July 30, 2003, after more than 21.5 million Beetles had been made worldwide.
A common mix-up is confusing the Última Edición with the New Beetle. The New Beetle had debuted in 1998 and used front-engine, front-wheel-drive Golf-based mechanicals, whereas the 2003 special edition was the original rear-engine Type 1.