VW’s Kariega plant celebrates strong year as ‘home of the Polo'
Automotive manufacturer Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has reported record production volumes and strong export performance from its Kariega manufacturing plant, in Gqeberha, with 167 084 vehicles having been built at the plant in 2024.
Of this, 131 485 units were Polos for export, and 35 599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market.
The group notes that a record-breaking 13 930 Polos were built in October 2024 alone.
The Polo also performed strongly in the local market last year, selling 12 253 units and being named the Top Locally Manufactured Vehicle of the Year at the naamsa | The Automotive Business Council’s Accelerator Awards in October 2024.
VWGA has been the sole exporter for left- and right-hand-drive European and Asia-Pacific markets of the Polo since July 2024 in the Volkswagen Group, sending this hatchback to 38 markets around the world.
The group explains that Polos account for 88% of exported vehicles through the Port of Port Elizabeth.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, 119 336 Polos have been exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Of these, the biggest receivers of Polos are Germany, France and the UK.
Additionally, the Polo was South Africa’s most exported vehicle in 2024.
“The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,” says VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe.
“Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was certainly a strong one, and we plan to build on the foundation of this success continuously and consistently, with the Polo, Vivo and our upcoming third model, the Tengo,” he continues.
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