Kariega

VW Plant Kariega Enters Next Phase for Production of New SA-built Crossover

Volkswagen’s Plant Kariega in the Eastern Cape Province has entered the next phase in preparation for production of the third SA-built model. Looking for a […]

Posted by Marius Boonzaier - 27 May 2025

Polo Production Halts at Kariega for Tooling of New A0 SUV

Volkswagen’s A0 SUV is on track to make local landfall by 2027 but before then, the Kariega facility which produces the Polo and Polo Vivo models needs to be retooled. Here is what is happening at the local facility.

By Alex Shahini - 22 April 2025

VW’s Kariega Plant Will Pause Production in 2025 For R4 Billion Investment of Tera SUV

The Polo-based SUV is confirmed to be built at the Kariega facility with Volkswagen expecting the first models to roll off of the production floor in 2027.

By Alex Shahini - 17 March 2025

VW Smashes Previous Annual Production Record at Kariega Plant

Volkswagen managed to best its 2019 annual production record for Kariega, with almost 80% of Polos built going to overseas markets! Details here…

By Alex Shahini - 17 December 2024

VW Group Africa Goes Further off Grid at Kariega Plant with Solar Power

Volkswagen Group Africa has added 3 megawatts of solar power to its Kariega plant in South Africa to further its renewable energy goals and be more self reliant on power generation.

By Siyavuya Mbaduli - 20 November 2024

Volkswagen Ends Polo Production in Europe – Kariega Now Key

After a 40-year legacy, Volkswagen will cease production of its Polo in Europe as the automaker retools its Spanish-facility for EVs. This means that Kariega has become the sole Polo producer worldwide!

By Siyavuya Mbaduli - 24 September 2024

Volkswagen to Invest Massive R4 Billion into Kariega for Locally Built SUV

Confirmed! A new SUV is headed to the Kariega production line after Volkswagen announced a massive R4 billion investment to upgrade the facility today. The high-riding model will retain an ICE powertrain and commence production by 2027. Here are all details! 

By Alex Shahini - 16 April 2024

Confirmed: SA to Become Sole VW Polo Manufacturer Worldwide

In anticipation of EV production at European factories, Volkswagen South Africa’s Kariega plant will receive the honours of being the sole Polo manufacturer worldwide. The honours will require uninterrupted electricity supply and VWSA’s CEO has countermeasures in place to ensure this during loadshedding.

By Ian McLaren - 28 February 2024

Volkswagen takes the covers off the new local Polo Vivo GT

Volkswagen SA has imparted some mild updates to the range-topping Polo Vivo GT model. Here is what has changed and how much it will cost.

By Alex Shahini - 3 April 2023

VW SA rolls 100 000th facelifted Polo off of the Kariega production line

Production of the facelifted Polo only commenced in the middle of August of 2021 which means that almost 100 000 of the models have been produced over the year period.

By Alex Shahini - 30 August 2022

VW Kariega plant opens R235 million wax flooding facility

The wax flooding process that enables VWSA to sell their products with a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty has just seen a R235 million upgrade at their plant in Kariega. In addition to the automated process, the new facility reduces carbon emissions by 55% in comparison to before.

By Alex Shahini - 9 August 2022

Half-a-million new Polo models have rolled off the Kariega production line

After four and a half years of production, the Volkswagen Kariega facility has marked half-a-million new Polo models to roll off of the production line.

By Alex Shahini - 12 July 2022

DRIVEN: 2022 Volkswagen Polo GTI 2.0 TSI 147 kW 6-speed DSG

The reputation of the venerable Polo in South Africa, no matter how fervent monthly sales are, will present an expectedly unimaginative driving experience focused chiefly around mobility. That is at least until getting behind the wheel of the new Volkswagen Polo GTI and realising it is more than just a Polo. 

By Alex Shahini - 4 May 2022

1-millionth locally built VW Polo for export rolls off the production line

Since 2002, Volkswagen’s Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape has been producing the Volkswagen Polo for export to 38 countries. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing […]

By John Whittle - 3 May 2022

Amidst continued supply-chain woes Polo Vivo, Polo and T-Cross boost VW’s Q1 2022 sales

Continued supply chain woes are a struggle for the automotive industry, however that didn’t stop certain manufacturers from having a rather impressive first quarter of […]

By John Whittle - 7 April 2022