How do you take out the stock radio in a 2001 Volkswagen beetle?

To the left and right of your factory radio are narrow vertical slots. Volkswagen, as well as a local car audio shop, can provide you with keys that slide into these slots to hook onto the stereo and pull it out. If you are the DIY type and want to fashion your own, the hooking point is in the lower portion of these slots. Design your stereo removal key with the "hook" facing down to properly catch the unit with damaging it. Once the keys have "caught" the stereo, simply pull it towards you in a slow, controlled yet firm manner. NOTE: The top and bottom of your stereo unit have indentations that are filled by flexible semi-spheres with a tong-like action to secure the radio in place. The more you adjust these, the more flexible they will become. The end result is that you may need a new harness for your unit in order for it to stay in place.