Volkswagen completes first factory updates for ‘Tera’ production

Volkswagen has entered what it describes as the next phase of its factory overhaul in preparation for the commencement of local production of its still unnamed MQB A0 Entry SUV in 2027.

Shutdown

Last month, the automaker confirmed a four-week shutdown of its Kariega Plant in Eastern Cape for the installation of 100 robots, revisions to conveyor belts in the final assembly area, and upgrades to the body shop and paint shop for the newcomer that will become the third model assembled locally alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo.

ALSO READ: What South Africa can expect: Volkswagen Tera detailed in Brazil

While well known to be a South African-market version of the Tera that went on-sale in Brazil this week, a different name will be used Volkswagen hinted at its annual product Indaba in February will have a distinctly African flavoured moniker

The next phase

In its latest update about the plant being back in operation, Volkswagen stated that the “Tera” has entered the “commissioning phase”, which it defines as “a systematic process of bringing the new equipment online and performing necessary checks to ensure these are functioning optimally”.

It added that this will be implemented over weekends to avoid delays in the regular three-shift running of the plant located in the town formerly known as Uitenhage.

The result of an R4-billion investment into the plant last year, the joint venture between Volkswagen Group Africa, Volkswagen do Brasil and Skoda India has seen South Africa take the lead on project development, despite it being the final market to receive it.

Unveiled last year in India as the Skoda Kylaq, the “Tera” will seemingly be positioned between the T-Cross and Taigo, although it could become Volkswagen’s smallest SUV locally as production of the former, in Europe, is anticipated to end next year in readiness for its all-electric replacement, the ID.2X.

What to expect

In Brazil, the Tera occupies the position below the Taigo’s South American sibling, the Nivus, with pricing ranging from below R330 000 to a smidgen over R440 000 when directly converted from Real to Rands.

While normally aspirated and turbocharged versions of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder are offered, South Africa is likely to receive only the latter combined with either the five-speed manual gearbox or the optional six-speed Tiptronic.

“We are happy to be back to normal production, with the knowledge that we are one step closer to our future of building three models in our plant,” Volkswagen Group Africa’s Production Director, Ulrich Schwabe, said in a statement.

“I would like to thank every employee who has played a part in the process of preparing for this future icon in our Volkswagen line-up, and I look forward to working with these colleagues, as well as our Brazilian counterparts, as we continue on this journey”.

More soon

Hinted at the Indaba as possibly being showcased in pre-production form early next year, speculation has stated that assembly will start late-2026 before the onset of sales in 2027.

As it stands though, this is purely speculative and could well change over the coming 18 months or so.

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