The most pathetic thing about the VW Beetle is that when its sales starting pushing upwards 500-700k during the late 60’s, the idiots in Detroit tried to compete by making such great cars as the Pinto, Nova, Gremlin...
Look at the wheelbases and engine specs — they mimic the Bug, but, of course, managed to actually be worse. Had to specially engineer that, I guess.
The Corvair was a contender. But Nader killed it.