With the launch of the Golf/Rabbit the Beetle’s days were numbered, at least in the United States market. Production had ended at Wolfsburg, though it continued at Hanover and Emden. The last Super Beetle sedan was built July 1, 1975 and the last basic Beetle Sedan on January 19, 1976 – both at Emden. But the Cabriolet continued until 1979 with Super Beetle underpinnings, which included McPherson struts, sophisticated double jointed rear axle and fuel injection.

Volkswagen’s 1975 production dropped to 904,005 passenger cars worldwide and Beetle sales dropped off sharply in the U.S. Only 82,030 Beetles and Super Beetles were sold in the 1975 model year, with 3581 of those being Cabriolets. The basic 1975 Beetle Deluxe Sedan cost $2999, the Super Beetle Sedan was $3295 and the Cabriolet was $3595.