After 56 years in business the Volkswagen Type 2, better known in Portugal as Pão de moda, says goodbye to us. Production ends on December 31st.
On December 31st, the world says goodbye not only to 2013 but also to the iconographic Volkswagen Type 2. The last hippie/surf van of the German brand will leave on December 31st from a factory located in the State of São Paulo, in Brazil. A decision taken by Volkswagen due to new laws in Brazil — the only country where this model is still produced — that force all vehicles to be equipped as standard with airbags and ABS system. As the famous Pão de forma failed to meet the new specifications, the brand decided to put an end to the 56-year career of this symbol of the automotive industry.
It is estimated that more than ten million units have been produced since 1957, although not all of them resemble the original model.
The vehicle became famous in the 1960s after World War II, where it had several applications. From freight transport, ambulance, police car, mini-bus and so on. It later became the symbolic means of transport for the surfer and hippie community due to its reliability and low maintenance cost. You'll miss Pão de Forma.
