Latest news with #UlrichSchwabe
The Herald
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Kariega's ‘Home of Polo' accelerates into top gear
It's been a year to remember for Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA), since it became the sole exporter of the Polo within the group globally, with 12 months that were marked by milestones for one of Mzansi's favourite vehicles. While the Kariega plant has been producing the Polo since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, it has only been the self-proclaimed Home of Polo since July 1 2024. The Polo is exported to 38 markets around the world and accounts for 88% of exported vehicles through the Port of Port Elizabeth, with 119,336 Polos having been exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in the last year. The Polo was SA's most exported vehicle in 2024 with the majority of the units shipped to Germany, France and the UK. VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe said the Polo also performed strongly in the local market in 2024, selling 12,253 units and being named the top locally manufactured vehicle of the year at the Naamsa Accelerator Awards in October 2024. That same month was also the busiest production period for the plant, with a record-breaking 13,930 Polos built. 'The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,' Schwabe said. 'Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was a strong one, and we plan to build on the foundation of this success continuously and consistently, with the Polo, Vivo and our upcoming third model, the Tengo.' The plant celebrated a record production volume for 2024 with a total of 167,084 vehicles built in Kariega, of which 131,485 units were Polos for export, and 35,599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market. Volkswagen also recently celebrated five decades of the Polo hatchback, with the launch of the new Polo Edition 50. However, the Edition 50 will only be available in European and UK markets. The Herald
The Herald
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
VW's Kariega plant celebrates a strong year as the ‘Home of Polo'
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has celebrated one year since it became the German brand's sole exporter of the Polo for left- and right-hand drive European and Asia-Pacific markets. The hatchback has been built at the Kariega plant since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, but the Eastern Cape factory only became the self-proclaimed 'home of Polo' on July 1 2024, said Ulrich Schwabe, production director at VWGA. 'The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,' said Schwabe. 'Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was certainly strong, and we plan to build on the foundation of the success continuously and consistently with the Polo, Vivo and our upcoming third model, the Tengo.' The Polo was South Africa's most exported vehicle in 2024 and accounts for 88% of exported vehicles through the Gqeberha port, said VW. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 119,336 Polos were exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Of these, the biggest receivers of Polos are Germany, France and the UK. A record 167,084 vehicles were built in Kariega in 2024, of which 131,485 units were Polos for export, and 35,599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market. A record-breaking 13,930 Polos were built in October 2024 alone. The Polo was the seventh best-selling passenger car in the local market last year, with 12,253 units. In April-May, VWGA shut the Kariega plant for four weeks in preparation for the Tengo model that will be assembled and sold in SA from 2027. Volkswagen announced in early 2024 it would build the small SUV as a third model at the factory alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo in a R4bn investment.
TimesLIVE
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
VW's Kariega plant celebrates a strong year as the ‘Home of Polo'
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has celebrated one year since it became the German brand's sole exporter of the Polo for left- and right-hand drive European and Asia-Pacific markets. The hatchback has been built at the Kariega plant since 1996 and the Polo Vivo since 2010, but the Eastern Cape factory only became the self-proclaimed 'home of Polo' on July 1 2024, said Ulrich Schwabe, production director at VWGA. 'The Polo is unquestionably an icon, and we are proud to call Plant Kariega its home,' said Schwabe. 'Our first year as the sole exporter of the Polo was certainly strong, and we plan to build on the foundation of the success continuously and consistently with the Polo, Vivo and our upcoming third model, the Tengo.' The Polo was South Africa's most exported vehicle in 2024 and accounts for 88% of exported vehicles through the Gqeberha port, said VW. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 119,336 Polos were exported from Kariega to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Of these, the biggest receivers of Polos are Germany, France and the UK. A record 167,084 vehicles were built in Kariega in 2024, of which 131,485 units were Polos for export, and 35,599 vehicles were Polos and Polo Vivos for the local market. A record-breaking 13,930 Polos were built in October 2024 alone. The Polo was the seventh best-selling passenger car in the local market last year, with 12,253 units. In April-May, VWGA shut the Kariega plant for four weeks in preparation for the Tengo model that will be assembled and sold in SA from 2027. Volkswagen announced in early 2024 it would build the small SUV as a third model at the factory alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo in a R4bn investment.
Zawya
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
South Africa: Volkswagen Kariega plant enters commissioning phase for new SUV model
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has entered the commissioning phase for the A0 SUV Entry project at its Kariega plant, following a four-week shutdown to complete key production facility upgrades. The new model, set to join the Polo and Polo Vivo on the production line in 2027, will be the third built at the plant. The commissioning phase includes activating and testing new equipment, carried out over weekends to avoid interrupting regular three-shift operations. The A0 SUV Entry programme was first announced at the VW Indaba in February. By that time, 60% of the required production upgrades had already been completed during the December 2024 shutdown. Between 14 April and 12 May, the plant suspended production to complete the remaining 40% of installations. Work included finalising systems in the Body Shop, robot programming in the Paint Shop, and conveyor modifications in Final Assembly. Volkswagen Group Africa is collaborating with Volkswagen do Brasil to develop and produce the new model. 'We are happy to be back to normal production, with the knowledge that we are one step closer to our future of building three models in our plant,' said VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe. 'I would like to thank every employee who has played a part in the process of preparing for this future icon in our Volkswagen line-up.' All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VW plant Kariega enters next phase for production of new SA-built crossover
Volkswagen's Plant Kariega in the Eastern Cape has entered the next phase in preparation for production of the third SA-built model. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! As Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) continues to prepare Plant Kariega for production of its third South African-built model, the automaker has announced the Eastern Cape-based assembly facility has entered the commissioning phase for the highly-anticipated entry-level compact crossover/SUV. Related: VW's Kariega Plant Will Pause Production in 2025 For R4 Billion Investment of Tera SUV This announcement comes after VWGA halted production at Plant Kariega earlier in 2024 (from April 14 to May 12) to complete the upgrades, notably to the body shop, paint shop and final assembly areas, made to the manufacturing line in December 2024. Noteworthy, with the aforementioned upgrades completed, production of the Polo Vivo and Polo has returned to normal, while the commissioning phase is carried out over the weekends. The latter phase comprises the processes of bringing the new equipment online and carrying out the necessary checks to ensure it operates optimally. Related: VW Finally Unveils New SA-built Compact Crossover Built alongside the aforementioned two cars, the automaker's upcoming product will serve as the opening gambit to the company's local crossover/SUV portfolio, which currently comprises the Polo-based T-Cross and Taigo, T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg. Positioned below the T-Cross, the Tera — as it is named in Brazil, where it is also manufactured — will officially be introduced in 2027. Locally, however, this model will be known by a different yet unannounced name. The German marque's SA arm has, however, confirmed that its moniker won't necessarily adhere to its 'T' naming convention. Related: Polo Production Halts at Kariega for Tooling of New A0 SUV VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe said: 'We are happy to be back to normal production, with the knowledge that we are one step closer to our future of building three models in our plant.' Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag! The post VW Plant Kariega Enters Next Phase for Production of New SA-built Crossover appeared first on CAR Magazine.
