Vanessa 
Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) will pause production of the Polo and Polo Vivo from April 14 to May 12. The Kariega plant needs this time to upgrade several areas on the production line. These changes will support the upcoming launch of a third model, an all-new compact SUV.
Technicians will work on the body shop, paint shop, and final assembly areas. This round of upgrades builds on work completed during the plant’s December 2024 shutdown. At that time, the team installed 38 new fixtures and seven robots. They also made several other technical improvements.
Now, workers will focus on finalising those changes. Tasks include adjusting stations in the body shop, reprogramming robots in the paint shop, and modifying conveyors in final assembly. These updates will prepare the plant for the next phase.
New SUV Project Moves Forward
Once the upgrades finish, VWSA will begin commissioning the A0 SUV Entry project. This model represents the third vehicle the plant will manufacture and marks a major step for the company’s future plans.
Investment Strengthens Local Industry
Volkswagen announced this SUV project during the VW Indaba in February 2024. The company is investing R4 billion into the initiative. Besides plant improvements, the procurement team has selected suppliers for the new model’s parts. These choices meet the company’s localisation targets, which aim to boost the local automotive sector.
Collaboration with Brazil Drives Development
The product development team is working closely with Volkswagen do Brasil. A VWSA employee is already based at the São Bernardo do Campo plant. They are leading the technical side of the project. Additionally, South African and Brazilian teams are coordinating on the vehicle’s launch plans.
This new SUV will help VWSA diversify its offering and strengthen its export potential. With both local and international teams involved, the project shows how collaboration and investment can drive innovation in South Africa’s automotive industry.
