By Prashirwin Naidu

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has completed a landmark first year as the exclusive global exporter of the Volkswagen Polo- and it’s a year marked by record-breaking success across production, exports, and local performance. Although the Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape has been producing the Polo since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, it officially became the sole global exporter of the Polo on July 1,Since then, VWGA has delivered the popular hatchback to 38 markets worldwide. Between July 2024 and June 2025, an impressive 119,336 Polos were exported from the Kariega facility, with Germany, France, and the United Kingdom emerging as the top destination markets. The Polo now accounts for a massive 88% of all vehicle exports moving through the Port of Port Elizabeth.

VWGA also reported a record production year in 2024. The Kariega plant produced a total of 167,084 vehicles, of which 131,485 were Polos destined for export. The remaining 35,599 units comprised Polos and Polo Vivos built for the South African market. A monthly production record was also set in October 2024, when 13,930 Polos rolled off the production line- the highest in the plant’s history. On the local front, the Polo proved its popularity once again, recording 12,253 sales in 2024. It was named Top Locally Manufactured Vehicle of the Year at the Naamsa Accelerator Awards in October.

“The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,” said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at VWGA. “Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was certainly a strong one, and we plan to build on this foundation with continued excellence, including the introduction of our upcoming third model, the Tengo.”

With a strong export pipeline, consistent local demand, and new models on the horizon, VWGA is well-positioned to continue its momentum as a key player in South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector.