[00:00.00]German automaker Volkswagen (VW) ended production of its Beetle model in 2019.
[00:09.96]But some communities around the world are still demonstrating a lasting love for this famous vehicle.
[00:20.16]One such area is Cuautepec, a neighborhood outside of Mexico City.
[00:27.99]There are so many VW Beetles in the area that some local people even nicknamed the neighborhood "Vocholandia."
[00:38.65]In Mexico, the VW Beetle has long been known as the "vocho."
[00:45.79]So, the term Vocholandia means "Beetle land."
[00:51.27]The vehicle has a long history in the Mexican capital.
[00:56.63]At one time, VW Beetles were commonly used as taxis throughout the city.
[01:04.53]But today, the northern neighborhood of Cuautepec is the place to go to see the most Beetles, which are also called "Bugs" in English.
[01:17.88]Janette Navarro is the owner of a 1996 Beetle.
[01:23.29]Navarro lives in the neighborhood.
[01:26.64]She told the Associated Press (AP) one reason the cars are so popular is because the community is hilly, and the Beetle's back-positioned engine provides added power.
[01:42.68]"No other car gets up here," Navarro said.
[01:47.47]"Just the vocho." She drives her VW as a taxi.
[01:53.07]Navarro added that she started the job eight years ago to support her three children.
[02:00.94]The job helped her put them through school.
[02:04.25]"When they ask me what I do for work, I say proudly that I'm a vochera (a vocho driver)," Navarro said.
[02:14.98]"This work keeps me afloat...It's my adoration, my love."
[02:20.89]The first Beetle was introduced in Germany in 1938 when the Nazi party controlled the country.
[02:30.24]The first vehicle was developed by Austrian-born automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche.
[02:39.11]The Beetle grew to become very popular in the United States and in other countries.
[02:46.68]It was long known as "the people's car."
[02:51.12]Beetles were manufactured in Mexico, but production on older models ended in 2003.
[03:00.04]A newer model was produced after that, but VW stopped all manufacturing of the vehicles in 2019.
[03:11.00]While some older cars in the community show their age, others still appear to be in good shape.
[03:20.17]One driver named his bright blue Beetle "Gualupita" after his wife, Guadalupe, and added personal designs.
[03:30.65]Another Beetle seen rolling down the street was painted pink and white, with the front headlights made to look like cat eyes.
[03:41.40]People who repair the vehicles told the AP it seems like the number of vochos is dropping off in Mexico City.
[03:52.46]Repairman David Enojosa said his family's shop used to specialize mainly in Beetle parts.
[04:02.29]But since VW halted production five years ago, they are no longer as easy to get.
[04:10.10]Enojosa predicted that if shortages continue, the area's Beetles could "disappear in two or three years."
[04:20.45]He added, "Before we had too many parts for vochos, now there aren't enough."
[04:27.53]One of Enojosa's customers told the AP he plans to keep looking for parts to keep his Beetle running as long as possible.
[04:38.38]The customer, Jesús Becerra, says he would love to keep seeing many cars in the neighborhood for many years.
[04:48.74]"You adapt them, you find a way to make it keep running," he told the AP.
[04:55.06]Joaquín Peréz is the 18-year-old owner of a white, 1991 VW Beetle.
[05:03.66]He said he is carrying on a family tradition by continuing to drive the car as a taxi.
[05:12.13]His father was a taxi driver who also drove a Beetle.
[05:17.64]Peréz noted that his father taught him everything he knows about the job and the vehicles.
[05:26.19]"This area, always, always since I can remember has been a place of vochos," Peréz said.
[05:36.04]He added, "This here is the car of the people."
[05:40.67]I'm Bryan Lynn.
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Words in This Story
nickname -v. to give another name to a person or thing that is used by only a few people
taxi -n. a car for hire in which you pay the driver to take you where you want to go
proud - adj. very pleased about something you have done
adore - v. to like something very much
customer - n. a person who buys goods or services from a business
adapt - v. to change something so that it is suitable for a different use or situation
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