
Volkswagen’s African unit has hit a milestone, exporting a record 131,485 Polos to European and Asia-Pacific markets in 2024.
This achievement marks a significant jump from the previous record of 108,422 vehicles set in 2019.
The cars were manufactured at Volkswagen’s Kariega plant in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.
As of mid-2024, the African unit is the exclusive exporter of the Polo for these regions, delivering the popular hatchback to 38 countries.
The exported Polos made up 88% of South Africa’s total vehicle exports in 2024.
The Polo also had a notable performance in the local market, with 12,253 units sold, ranking fourth in its segment.
Meanwhile, the locally-built Polo Vivo took the segment’s top spot, with 25,914 units sold last year.
Martina Biene, chairperson and managing director of Volkswagen Group Africa (VGA), spoke to Reuters during the annual Africa Mining Indaba.
She pointed to several factors boosting the auto industry, including lowered interest rates and a more stable power supply.