KARIEGA – Just shy of its 30th anniversary, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) is celebrating the production of its 2 millionth Polo model, which rolled off the production line of its Plant Kariega in the Eastern Cape earlier this month. The special milestone car, a smoky grey Polo, is destined for Australia
A nearly 30-year legacy
Plant Kariega (formerly known as Uitenhage) first started building the popular hatchback in 1996, beginning with the model known then as the Polo Classic. In that inaugural year the plant produced around 5 460 units. Since then VWGA has manufactured four different generations of the Polo model, cementing its role as the “Home of Polo”.
“It has been a year of milestones for Plant Kariega, but achieving this one is a very proud moment for the Home of Polo,” said Ulrich Schwabe, VWGA Production Director. “Contributing to the global success story of the Polo is a privilege for our team, and this is evident in the dedication of our employees, who have made this milestone possible.”
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Driving South African exports
The achievement underscores VWGA’s significant contribution to both the local and global automotive market, with the Polo being a massive export success story.
Out of the 2 million Polos built so far:
1 407 160 units were produced for export.
592 840 units were made for the local South African market.
The Polo was the most exported car in South Africa last year. Since July 2024 Plant Kariega has become the only Volkswagen plant globally exporting the Polo to Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions, reaching more than 30 countries.
The plant shows no sign of slowing down, having already built 112 386 Polos in 2025 alone, including 8 274 high-performance Polo GTIs.
This achievement solidifies Plant Kariega’s status as a powerhouse facility and a vital driver of the country’s manufacturing economy.
