In 1991, Freeman Thomas and J. Carrol Mays opened the American Design Center in the Simi Valley of California.  They were designers for Volkswagen and Audi.  Then at the 1994 Detroit Motor Show,  their design called Concept 1 debuted.  The media immediately called it the new Beetle.

Americans loved the car.  It captured the originality of the Old Volkswagen Beetles which were hard to find in the United States.

A convertible new beetle was exhibited at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show.  It was scheduled to go into production in 1997.  However, in 1996 it was given a new name, "The New Beetle!''  Everyone said it still looked like the original Volkswagen Beetle.

There are similarities and differences between the old and new Volkswagens.  They have he same speedometer design, steering wheel design, running boards, and the trademark large wheels.  The wheels also feature the VW logo in the center of the original hubcap.  There are no longer air-cooled engine in the trunk now: it is in the front like all other cars.  The car also has the trademark Porsche headlights.

Since the 1997 production, the new Volkswagen Beetle has changed only a little and is now in many different colors.