SA-built VW Polo to remain in production into the next decade
The Polo’s future has been secured in South Africa for at least the next 10 years, even as Volkswagen expands its electric vehicle line-up worldwide.
Volkswagen (VW) has confirmed to CAR Magazine that the South African-built Polo will remain in production into the next decade.
Volkswagen made full use of IAA Mobility 2025, which took place in Munich from September 9 to 14, to showcase an array of upcoming products, including the ID. Polo, which has been announced for 2026, ID. Polo GTI and ID. Cross Concept – the latter previewing the T-Cross’ future all-electric successor.
However, while VW gears up for the battery-electric hatchbacks and compact crossover, the German marque has confirmed to CAR Magazine that the petrol-powered Polo will remain in production at the company’s South African plant until ‘at least’ 2033.
Confirmed by Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger cars: “While they still play Boney M at Christmas in South Africa, this market will have Polo.”
As a reminder, since 2024, the Polo has been exclusively produced in South Africa at the Wolfsburg automaker’s Kariega manufacturing facility in Gqeberha, and exported to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, Volkswagen Group Africa celebrated a strong year of Polo production, with record number of 167 084 Polo units built.
The locally-assembled compact hatch, including the GTI-badged derivative, is built alongside its budget-oriented Polo Vivo stablemate, with local production of the Tengo compact crossover scheduled to commence in 2026.
Recently crowned ‘Best Car of the Half Century’ at the 2025 New Car World Championships, the Polo celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
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Related
- Volkswagen SA Celebrates a Strong Year of Polo Production
- VW Polo Crowned Best Car of the Half Century
- VW Celebrates 50 Years of Polo with SA-Based Project Drift
- Owner’s Corner: 2017 Volkswagen Polo
The post SA-Built VW Polo to Remain in Production Into the Next Decade appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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