VW ends 2022 production on high note

Days before ending production for the year, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA), celebrated a production milestone when it reached the two millionth unit built locally of its popular Polo and Polo Vivo models.

2 million Polos and Vivos 1

The milestone-reaching vehicle, a left-hand-drive, Ascot Grey Polo destined for Germany, rolled off the production line on the morning of 6 December.

The Kariega plant has been building the Polo since 1996, through various generations of the vehicle, and the Polo Vivo since 2010. At the time the two millionth vehicle was built, the plant had manufactured 1 626 816 Polos (1 065 718 for export and 561 098 for the local market) and 373 184 Polo Vivos to date.

VWSA currently exports the Polo built in Kariega to 38 countries, building this vehicle for all right-hand-drive markets and supplementing production for left-hand-drive markets. The Kariega plant is also the sole manufacturer worldwide of the Polo GTI and builds the popular Polo Vivo for the local market.

“This is an excellent milestone with which to end off the year,” said Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director at VWSA. “My gratitude goes out to every employee as we would not be able to celebrate this milestone – and many others we’ve had this year – if it had not been for their consistent hard work and dedication. This achievement belongs to all the members of the VWSA family.”

More Industry News stories

Ford bets on seven new models to reclaim ground in Europe

Ford bets on seven new models to reclaim ground in Europe

Ford will launch seven new models in Europe by 2029, it announced recently, as it seeks to grow its flagging passenger car sales, fend off fierce competition from Chinese rivals and maintain an edge in the continent's commercial vehicle market.

  • 21 May 2026
Hey Google, can I park here?

Hey Google, can I park here?

Volvo Cars and Google are working together to shape a new generation of driving experiences by combining automotive engineering with artificial intelligence.

  • 20 May 2026