VW celebrates 30 years of Polo production in SA

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) is celebrating three decades of Polo production at Plant Kariega.

VWGA Kariega Plant VW Polo

Image: Volkswagen

In 2026, VW is celebrating its 75th year in South Africa. However, that’s not the only milestone the German marque’s local arm is celebrating. Indeed, 2026 also marks 30 years of Polo production at the automaker’s Kariega assembly facility in the Eastern Cape.

Since local Polo production kicked off in 1996 with the Polo Classic sedan, the Kariega plant has manufactured four generations of Polo, including the sixth iteration (from 2021), of which the 500 000th example rolled off the Kariega assembly line in October 2025. Overall, over two million Polos have been produced at Plant Kariega, which, since 2024, is the sole manufacturer and exporter of the Polo for Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Of the two million Polos built at Plant Kariega, 1 421 960 (around 70%) were exported.

In addition, the Polo GTI has been produced in SA for 20 years, and exclusively built here since 2021. To celebrate this milestone, VWGA recently announced the Polo GTI Edition 20 for our market.

Said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at VWGA, “2026 is a year of celebration for Volkswagen Group Africa. Reaching 75 years in South Africa and 30 years of Polo production is not only a proud milestone for our company, but also for our Kariega plant and our employees. This milestone is a testament to the dedication, skill, and passion of our employees, whose commitment has made the Polo a success story both locally and internationally. Their contribution has been the driving force behind the Polo’s success.”

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The post VW celebrates 30 years of Polo production in SA appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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