KARIEGA, South Africa—Plant Kariega, part of Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA), has set a new production record of 167,084 vehicles in 2024, surpassing its previous high of 161,954 vehicles achieved in 2019. This marks the highest output since the facility began production 73 years ago.

Key highlights of the 2024 achievement include:

• 131,485 units of the Polo exported to over 30 global markets.
• 35,599 vehicles comprising Polos and Polo Vivos produced for the local market.

The plant became the exclusive supplier of the Polo GTI for global markets and, since July 2024, the sole manufacturer of Polos for the European and Asia Pacific markets.

October 2024 saw a record-breaking single-month production of 16,597 units, exceeding the previous record set in October 2019. Ulrich Schwabe, VWGA Production Director, attributed the milestone to the dedication of the plant’s 4,000 employees and strong support from customers and stakeholders. Schwabe emphasized VWGA’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and delivering quality products to diverse markets.

The achievement aligns with VWGA’s continued investment in the Kariega plant, including a R4 billion commitment announced in April 2024 to introduce a third model in 2027, alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo.

The updated Volkswagen Polo Vivo range, starting at R266,600, features five derivatives with refreshed designs, vibrant color options, and advanced styling packages. This includes base models, Life trims (1.4L manual and 1.6L automatic), the stylish Style variant, and the flagship GT.

With these advancements, Plant Kariega continues to expand its global and local footprint, reinforcing its position as a key player in the automotive industry.