Kariega plant marks Polo’s 30-year journey alongside VW’s 75th anniversary

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) is celebrating a landmark year in 2026, with 75 years of operations in South Africa and three decades of Polo production at its Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape.

These milestones reflect the company’s deep roots in the country and the Polo’s remarkable journey as one of South Africa’s most loved vehicles.

The Polo’s local story began in 1996 with the Polo Classic, a four-door saloon that filled the gap between the Citi Golf and the Jetta/Golf ranges. In its debut year, 5 460 units were produced, and the model quickly became a favourite.

The hatchback version arrived in 1998, broadening its appeal. In 2003, the updated Polo Classic won the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists “Car of the Year” award, while in 2011 the Polo shared the same honour.

Over the years, Plant Kariega has built four generations of the Polo, with the current model in production since 2021. In 2024, the plant became the sole global producer of the Polo for Europe and Asia-Pacific, exporting to 38 countries.

That year saw VWGA’s highest production record of 167 084 vehicles, including 131 485 Polos exported and 35 599 Polos and Polo Vivos sold locally. The Polo GTI, a sporty high-performance version, is also produced at Kariega.

By the end of 2025, more than two million Polos had been built at the plant, with 595 043 sold in South Africa and 1 421 960 exported. Each Polo takes three days to build, involving 1 985 sets of hands and 1 400 individual parts.

“2026 is a year of celebration for Volkswagen Group Africa,” says Ulrich Schwabe, VWGA Production Director. “These milestones are a testament to the skill and passion of our employees, whose commitment has made the Polo a success story both locally and internationally.”