For more than 70 years Volkswagen vehicles have traversed the roads of South Africa and have become one of the most loved vehicle brands in the country.
Its heritage remains proudly preserved at the Volkswagen AutoPavilion in Kariega. This quaint town, formerly known as Uitenhage, is the second oldest town in the Eastern Cape and is home to Volkswagen Group South Africa’s (VWSA) manufacturing plant where the first Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the production line at the end of August 1951.
More than 40 classics are displayed inside the AutoPavilion museum, with the oldest being a 1938 DKW F5 Reichklasse.
The Volkswagen AutoPavilion is open to the public and offers plant tours where visitors have the opportunity to experience the production of two of South Africa’s most popular vehicles, the Polo and the Polo Vivo.
Open five days a week, the Volkswagen AutoPavilion has welcomed more than 14 000 visitors this year (as at the end of August).
Andile Dlamini, Head of VWSA Communications, said visitors come from across the country to view the museum and to experience the motoring entertainment on offer at the AutoPavilion.
“The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing an impressive array of our classic and iconic cars, which were assembled at our Kariega plant over the past seven decades. Many young children and school groups visit our facility to learn about the evolution of the automotive industry,” said Dlamini.
He added that visitors to the AutoPavilion also gain insight into the craftsmanship and engineering behind these remarkable vehicles and learn about the contribution of Volkswagen to the local automotive industry.
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The Automotive Business Council (naamsa) recently submitted its quarterly review of business conditions for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry, during the second quarter of 2025, to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTCI).
Africa's automotive sector is experiencing a significant transformation, with Morocco emerging as a rising star while traditional leader, South Africa, faces mounting challenges.
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