Volkswagen Group Africa’s Kariega plant has marked a remarkable milestone with the production of its three-millionth vehicle, a smoky grey Polo Vivo built for the South African market.
This achievement reinforces the plant’s long and proud history of contributing to the country’s motoring landscape. Although Volkswagen officially celebrates its birthday on 31 August 1951, the Kariega facility has been manufacturing vehicles since 1948 under the South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors banner, when Studebaker and Austin models were first produced.
Over the decades, the plant has assembled some of the most iconic vehicles in South African motoring history. These include the beloved Beetle, the Type 2 Kombi, the Citi Golf and more recently, the Polo and Polo Vivo. Today, the plant builds the Polo for local and export markets, while the Vivo continues to dominate as South Africa’s best-selling passenger car.
At the recent Naamsa Accelerator Awards, both models received further recognition for their success and popularity. Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at Volkswagen Group Africa, described the milestone as a proud testament to the company’s enduring legacy in local manufacturing.
He said the plant has produced several motoring icons over seven decades and will soon add another when production of the new Tengo begins in 2027. This milestone represents not only industrial achievement but also Volkswagen’s lasting relationship with South African motorists.
