From Kariega to global markets: two million VW Polos and South Africa's automotive success
More than two million Polos have been built at Volkswagen's Plant Kariega.
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2026 marks a milestone year for Volkswagen Group Africa as the company celebrates 75 years in South Africa and 30 years of Polo production at its Kariega manufacturing plant.
The Polo’s journey began in 1996 with the introduction of the Polo Classic, a four-door sedan positioned between the Citi Golf and the Golf and Jetta ranges. In its first year of production, 5,460 units were built at Kariega, establishing the Polo as a key part of Volkswagen’s South African line-up.
The hatchback version followed in 1998. An updated Polo Classic introduced in 2003 went on to win the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ Car of the Year award. The Polo achieved the same honour again in 2011, sharing the title that year.
Since production began, Kariega has manufactured four generations of the Polo, with the latest model having entered production in 2021. Over three decades, the Polo has become one of the most significant vehicles produced at the plant.
Built local for global
In 2024, Kariega reached another milestone when it became the sole global production and export hub for the Polo destined for Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. This includes the Polo GTI, built exclusively at Kariega.
Polos built in South Africa are now exported to 38 countries, while the model continues to be sold locally alongside the Polo Vivo.
In the same year, Volkswagen Group Africa recorded its highest annual production volume, building 167,084 vehicles. Of those, 131,485 Polos were exported, while 35,599 Polos and Polo Vivos were sold locally.
By the end of 2025, more than two million Polos had been built at Kariega. Of those, 595,043 units were sold locally, while 1,421,960 were exported, with the United Kingdom the largest export destination.
Complex manufacturing process
On average, it takes three days to complete one vehicle, involving 1,985 workers across multiple stages of assembly. Around 1,400 individual components are used in the construction of each car.
The scale of production and export highlights the Polo’s importance to Volkswagen’s global operations and South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector.
“2026 is a year of celebration for Volkswagen Group Africa,” said Ulrich Schwabe, production director at Volkswagen Group Africa. “Reaching 75 years in South Africa and 30 years of Polo production is not only a proud milestone for our company, but also for our Kariega plant and our employees.
“It’s a testament to the dedication, skill, and passion of our employees, whose commitment has made the Polo a success story both locally and internationally. Their contribution has been the driving force behind the Polo’s success.”