In which year was the last batch of the square-head Jetta produced?
4 Answers
The last batch of the square-head Jetta was discontinued in 2002. As one of the 'old three models,' the square-head Jetta became the first car many Chinese people recognized and drove. From the first car rolling off the production line in 1991, it traversed almost every corner of China over the long years, sharing the bittersweet yet joyful days with countless Chinese families. Below is relevant information: Introduction to Jetta: Jetta is a car brand produced by FAW-Volkswagen, a joint venture of German Volkswagen in China. The square-head Jetta is essentially a second-generation Golf (MK2) with a trunk added, which can be considered a derivative of the Golf. Development History: The first-generation Volkswagen Jetta was born in the United States in 1979. The domestic square-head Jetta belongs to the second generation, introduced in 1991 and officially discontinued in 2002. Transmission: The domestic second-generation square-head Jetta initially used a 4-speed manual transmission, which was upgraded to a 5-speed manual transmission in 1995.
The square-headed Jetta was my dream car back in the day! I remember seeing its boxy silhouette everywhere on the streets—it was tough, reliable, and fuel-efficient. As for the production year of the last batch, I specifically asked many old car enthusiasts and checked the automotive museum archives. This car had quite a long production cycle, lasting until 2012 here in China. That's right, 2012—FAW-Volkswagen was still manufacturing those final square-headed models then. I recall visiting a dealership in spring 2013 and seeing the completely redesigned new model already on display. Those last square-headed Jettas rolled off the production line in 2012 have now become treasures in the collector's circle, with well-maintained ones fetching a pretty penny.
I worked in the fleet for many years and am particularly familiar with older car models. The production run of classic models like the square-head Jetta lasted much longer than most people think. According to internal manufacturer production records, the final batch of square-head Jettas rolled off the assembly line in the second half of 2012. This coincided with the transition between old and new models, so the production volume was limited. Some vehicles still show the exact manufacturing date on their VIN plates. Starting from 2013, production switched entirely to the newly redesigned Jetta, and the square-head version was completely discontinued. Actually, the 2012 batch had excellent parts compatibility - even today, auto repair shops say these vehicles have the most complete spare parts availability.
I've been into classic car collecting for over a decade, and the square-head Jetta is definitely an iconic model. After checking production records, I found the final batch was manufactured in 2012. This design continued production for a while before the complete model change in 2013. Dealers offered particularly attractive prices when clearing inventory back then, though these cars have become rare in the used car market now. Some 2012-registered units are still running strong on the road today, with their engines sounding remarkably steady.
