Volkswagen of South Africa Managing Director David Powels has announced that VW has gained new export programmes that will boost export numbers to unprecedented volumes in 2008.
The Volkswagen Group posted record sales in 2007 that continued into 2008. As a result, the group’s worldwide production facilities have been placed under capacity pressure. VWSA has been given the opportunity to build and export 10 260 fifth-generation Jettas to key right-hand-drive markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Great Britain and Ireland.
“The additional order of fifth-generation Jettas comes on top of the plan to export 21 000 fifth-generation Golfs and 8 800 Polos in 2008 to various countries in the Asia Pacific region with the bulk of these units going to Japan. This is a further opportunity for
Volkswagen of South Africa to demonstrate to the Volkswagen Group and it’s customers in numerous countries, that we are capable of producing world class quality products in our plant here in Uitenhage,” said Powels.
On top of acquiring these huge deals, VWSA will celebrate a number of export milestones this year. At the end of April 2008, 100 000 fifth-generation Golfs were exported to countries in the Asia Pacific region, and come the end of June 2008, VWSA will have exported a total of 350 000 vehicles to various markets around the world. “We plan to build around 100 000 vehicles in our plant in Uitenhage this year, of which 40 percent will be exported,” added Powels.
Powels also stated that the international Volkswagen Group has been extremely supportive of VWSA’s export initiatives. This latest contract to supply 10 260 fifth-generation Jettas, is a clear indication of the confidence that the Group has in the South African operation.