By Xolile Hopa

Volkswagen Group Africa has marked a significant production milestone, reaching one million units of the current-generation Volkswagen Polo.

Manufactured at the Kariega plant in Gqeberha, the landmark vehicle is a Smoky Grey, right-hand-drive Polo GTI destined for the South African market.

Production of the current-generation Polo began at the Kariega plant in 2017, and since then, the model has become the cornerstone of the facility’s output.

Approximately 86% of these vehicles have been exported to key international markets, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, while the remaining 14% have been sold locally.

The current-generation Polo now accounts for nearly 21% of the 4,803,424 vehicles produced at the Kariega facility over the past 75 years, underscoring its importance in Volkswagen Group Africa’s manufacturing history.

It also represents 48% of all Polo models ever built at the plant, highlighting the strong demand for the nameplate and its continued importance within the company’s production portfolio.

This milestone further reinforces Kariega’s role as a major global production hub for Volkswagen Group Africa.