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Four week "shutdown" will result in the installing of new robots and revisions to the body shop, paint shop and final assembly area.
Volkswagen's Kariega plant has halted production in readiness for the new SUV coming in 2027. Image: Volkswagen
Announced on the sidelines of its product Indaba in February, Volkswagen has stopped production of the Polo and Polo Vivo at its Kariega Plant in the Eastern Cape as part of upgrades into the assembly of the much vaunted A0 SUV in 2027.
In a statement, the marque said the halting of assembly, which started on 14 April, will last until 12 May for the installation of 100 robots in addition to new fixtures in the body shop, final assembly area and paint shop
It further stated that while 60% of the overall work wrapped-up over the December festive season, the final 40% will now be completed over the next four weeks.
“This project is understandably a very exciting one for us,” Volkswagen Group Africa Production Director, Ulrich Schwabe, said in the statement.
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“When the first unit of this new vehicle rolls off our production line, it will be a proud moment for the entire Volkswagen Group Africa family, and I firmly believe this new vehicle will be just as iconic as the beloved Polo and Vivo we are already building”.
Part of the R4-billion invested into the plant, located in the town formerly known as Uitenhage, last year, the retooling has seen Volkswagen lower its production targets for 2025 to 157 476 units after a record 167 084 Polo and Polo Vivos left the facility in 2024.
Although still referred to as the A0 SUV, the newcomer will in effect be a local adaption of the Tera that made its world debut in Brazil last month as the replacement for lower-end version of the Polo.
A joint venture between Brazil, South Africa and India where it premiered last year as the Skoda Kylaq, the Tera will, however, be sold under a different name as part of a public participation process in which South Africans choose the final moniker.
Despite the link-up between the three countries, the South African market “Tera” will have significant localisation incorporated into its build involving not only actual production, but sourcing of parts and components.
According to Volkswagen Group Africa, collaborative efforts with Volkswagen do Brasil at its plant in São Bernardo do Campo have already started, with South Africa taking on the role of project leader.
In Brazil, the Tera will make use of the familiar 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with or without turbocharging, mated to either a five-speed manual, six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic gearbox.
Set to go on-sale next month in Brazil with a preview of what South Africa could expect coming at the 2026 product Indaba, the Tera will likely enter production in the final stages of the year before arriving at dealerships in 2027.
As it stands, no other details are known, however, expect more to emerge as soon as Tera sales commence.
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