VW’s Kariega plant produces vehicle number 3 000 000
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) this month celebrated assembling its three-millionth vehicle – a grey Polo Vivo – at its Kariega plant.
Production at the Eastern Cape facility started in 1948.
Although VWGA marks its birthday as August 31, 1951 – the date on which the first Volkswagen (a Beetle) rolled off the production line – the plant has actually been manufacturing vehicles since November 1948.
Under the umbrella of South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors, selected Studebaker and Austin models were built at the plant, before the first Volkswagens were added to the production line-up.
Over the years, production models have included the Audi Super 90, various Passats, the VW Kombi, the Golf 1, the Jetta, the Citi Golf and the Fox.
The plant currently builds the Polo, which is sold locally and abroad. This model was, in fact, the top export model from South Africa last year, while sibling, the Polo Vivo, has been the best-selling passenger car in the country since 2010.
“This milestone affirms Volkswagen’s legacy in Kariega and the South African market at large,” says VWGA production manager Ulrich Schwabe.
“This plant has produced many icons over the past seven decades, including the Beetle, the Citi Golf and now the Vivo, and we intend to make our Tengo the next icon when we start manufacturing it in Kariega from 2027.”
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