In a momentous occasion during the night shift on Monday February 19, the production team at Volkswagen Group Africa’s Kariega plant celebrated a significant milestone as the 1.5 millionth vehicle earmarked for export rolled off the assembly line.
This milestone vehicle, a Polo GTI bound for the United Kingdom, also marked the production of the 21 165th vehicle slated for export this year alone. Last year, the Kariega plant contributed 101 557 Polos to the export market. The peak year for export units was in 2019, with a remarkable 108 422 vehicles manufactured for global markets.
Since 1992, Volkswagen Group Africa has been exporting vehicles, including iconic models like the Volkswagen Jetta and Golf. Presently, the Kariega plant exclusively produces the Polo, shipping this model to 38 countries worldwide. Since January 2018, the plant has been crafting the current Polo model, with production of the facelifted version commencing in August 2021. Additionally, the plant manufactures the popular Polo Vivo for the South African market.
Ulrich Schwabe, the production director of Volkswagen Group Africa, expressed pride in achieving another significant production milestone early in the year, setting a positive tone for 2024. He reiterated the company’s commitment to maintaining its position as a key player in the export market, delivering high-quality vehicles globally and striving for further milestones in the future.
Source: QuickPic
