Automotive manufacturer Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) is in the commissioning phase of its upgrade to the company’s Kariega plant, in the Eastern Cape, to facilitate the production of the entry-level sports-utility vehicle (SUV) VW Tengo – previously known as the A0 SUV Entry project.

This phase follows the completion of extensive facility upgrades and a four-week production mini-shutdown from April 14 to May 12, marking the start of the 18-week commissioning process.

The commissioning phase entails the integration of new equipment and performing the necessary checks to ensure optimal performance while maintaining uninterrupted production of the Polo and Polo Vivo models at the plant.

The VW Tengo will be produced alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo on one production line, requiring careful model mix planning to ensure optimal line use, says VWGA.

“We are happy to be back to normal production, with the knowledge that we are one step closer to our future of building three models in our plant,” VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe says.

About 60% of the preparation work for the production area was completed during a shutdown in December, with the rest completed during the recent mini-shutdown.

Work completed during this period included installations done in the body shop area, station modifications, the programming of robots in the paint shop and conveyor modifications in the final assembly area, says VWGA.

The VW Tengo forms part of the group’s overall strategy to expand into Africa.

“Plant Kariega was the ideal site to build this vehicle in Africa for Africa, especially since there were already synergies between our current production and the building requirements for the VW Tengo,” the company adds.

Production of the SUV is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027. VWGA plans to localise various components alongside parts shared with the Polo model.

Over the next two years, VWGA will implement extensive training and skills development to ensure that employees have the required skill sets to support the new project requirements. These efforts will also support supplier certifications and readiness where required.