Brazil Says Goodbye to the Kombi—For Now

With a series of new car safety measures from the Brazilian government scheduled to go into effect January 1, Volkswagen's famous Type 2 van—known in Latin America as the Kombi—will no longer be produced after 56 years. But there may be one last glimmer of hope.

The iconic bread loaf-looking van, in continuous production at a plant just outside São Paulo since 1957, has never come with airbags or anti-lock brakes due to design constraints. After Brazil approved legislation requiring all vehicles made in the country to come with standard safety features starting next year, Volkswagen decided not to modify the Kombi. Instead, the carmaker announced it would be producing 1,200 special "Last Edition" versions of the van. For nearly twice the usual cost.