Latest news with #VWGA
The Herald
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Kariega's ‘Home of Polo' accelerates into top gear
It's been a year to remember for Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA), since it became the sole exporter of the Polo within the group globally, with 12 months that were marked by milestones for one of Mzansi's favourite vehicles. While the Kariega plant has been producing the Polo since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, it has only been the self-proclaimed Home of Polo since July 1 2024. The Polo is exported to 38 markets around the world and accounts for 88% of exported vehicles through the Port of Port Elizabeth, with 119,336 Polos having been exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in the last year. The Polo was SA's most exported vehicle in 2024 with the majority of the units shipped to Germany, France and the UK. VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe said the Polo also performed strongly in the local market in 2024, selling 12,253 units and being named the top locally manufactured vehicle of the year at the Naamsa Accelerator Awards in October 2024. That same month was also the busiest production period for the plant, with a record-breaking 13,930 Polos built. 'The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,' Schwabe said. 'Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was 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.' The plant celebrated a record production volume for 2024 with a total of 167,084 vehicles built in Kariega, of which 131,485 units were Polos for export, and 35,599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market. Volkswagen also recently celebrated five decades of the Polo hatchback, with the launch of the new Polo Edition 50. However, the Edition 50 will only be available in European and UK markets. The Herald
The Herald
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
VW's Kariega plant celebrates a strong year as the ‘Home of Polo'
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has celebrated one year since it became the German brand's sole exporter of the Polo for left- and right-hand drive European and Asia-Pacific markets. The hatchback has been built at the Kariega plant since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, but the Eastern Cape factory only became the self-proclaimed 'home of Polo' on July 1 2024, said Ulrich Schwabe, production director at VWGA. 'The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,' said Schwabe. 'Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was certainly strong, and we plan to build on the foundation of the success continuously and consistently with the Polo, Vivo and our upcoming third model, the Tengo.' The Polo was South Africa's most exported vehicle in 2024 and accounts for 88% of exported vehicles through the Gqeberha port, said VW. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 119,336 Polos were exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Of these, the biggest receivers of Polos are Germany, France and the UK. A record 167,084 vehicles were built in Kariega in 2024, of which 131,485 units were Polos for export, and 35,599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market. A record-breaking 13,930 Polos were built in October 2024 alone. The Polo was the seventh best-selling passenger car in the local market last year, with 12,253 units. In April-May, VWGA shut the Kariega plant for four weeks in preparation for the Tengo model that will be assembled and sold in SA from 2027. Volkswagen announced in early 2024 it would build the small SUV as a third model at the factory alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo in a R4bn investment.
TimesLIVE
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
VW's Kariega plant celebrates a strong year as the ‘Home of Polo'
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has celebrated one year since it became the German brand's sole exporter of the Polo for left- and right-hand drive European and Asia-Pacific markets. The hatchback has been built at the Kariega plant since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, but the Eastern Cape factory only became the self-proclaimed 'home of Polo' on July 1 2024, said Ulrich Schwabe, production director at VWGA. 'The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,' said Schwabe. 'Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was certainly strong, and we plan to build on the foundation of the success continuously and consistently with the Polo, Vivo and our upcoming third model, the Tengo.' The Polo was South Africa's most exported vehicle in 2024 and accounts for 88% of exported vehicles through the Gqeberha port, said VW. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 119,336 Polos were exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Of these, the biggest receivers of Polos are Germany, France and the UK. A record 167,084 vehicles were built in Kariega in 2024, of which 131,485 units were Polos for export, and 35,599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market. A record-breaking 13,930 Polos were built in October 2024 alone. The Polo was the seventh best-selling passenger car in the local market last year, with 12,253 units. In April-May, VWGA shut the Kariega plant for four weeks in preparation for the Tengo model that will be assembled and sold in SA from 2027. Volkswagen announced in early 2024 it would build the small SUV as a third model at the factory alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo in a R4bn investment.
The Herald
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Volkswagen welcomes 540 young trainees through YES programme
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has announced an intake of 540 young unemployed graduates for its 2025 Youth Unemployment Services (YES) programme. The YES programme was initiated by the government in 2019 to alleviate youth unemployment. The company said 296 trainees will work for VWGA: 232 at will be stationed at Kariega in Gqeberha, where the company assembles the VW Polo and Polo Vivo models; 62 are headed to its Gauteng headquarters in Sandton; and two will be absorbed at the company's satellite parts warehouse in the Western Cape. Another 244 trainees will be deployed with external partners in October. This intake brings the total of YES trainees who have benefited from VWGA's involvement in the programme to 3,650. 'We know today's youth will be tomorrow's leaders, but we also believe in playing an active role in developing those leaders and innovators,' said Nonkqubela Maliza, VWGA's corporate and government affairs director. 'Through our participation in the YES programme, we want to offer youth the space to become economically active and gain invaluable skills on which they can build successful and fulfilling careers.' Since its inception, VWGA has supported the initiative by providing employment opportunities and work experience for youth at its sites, in addition to opportunities in the dealer network and SME partners. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Volkswagen welcomes 540 young trainees through YES programme
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has announced an intake of 540 young unemployed graduates for its 2025 Youth Unemployment Services (YES) programme. The YES programme was initiated by the government in 2019 to alleviate youth unemployment. The company said 296 trainees will work for VWGA: 232 at will be stationed at Kariega in Gqeberha, where the company assembles the VW Polo and Polo Vivo models; 62 are headed to its Gauteng headquarters in Sandton; and two will be absorbed at the company's satellite parts warehouse in the Western Cape. Another 244 trainees will be deployed with external partners in October. This intake brings the total of YES trainees who have benefited from VWGA's involvement in the programme to 3,650. 'We know today's youth will be tomorrow's leaders, but we also believe in playing an active role in developing those leaders and innovators,' said Nonkqubela Maliza, VWGA's corporate and government affairs director. 'Through our participation in the YES programme, we want to offer youth the space to become economically active and gain invaluable skills on which they can build successful and fulfilling careers.' Since its inception, VWGA has supported the initiative by providing employment opportunities and work experience for youth at its sites, in addition to opportunities in the dealer network and SME partners.
