By Staff Writer
Volkswagen is celebrating 75 years of building and selling vehicles in South Africa, marking the anniversary of the first Volkswagen Beetle produced locally on 31 August 1951.
What began at the former South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors (SAMAD) plant in Uitenhage has grown into one of the country’s most significant automotive manufacturing operations. In 1956, Volkswagenwerk in Germany acquired a controlling share in the factory, making it the company’s first plant outside Germany.
Over the decades, the Kariega plant has produced nearly 40 models, including some of the most recognisable names on South African roads: the Beetle, Kombi, Golf, Citi Golf, Jetta, Polo and Polo Vivo.
The numbers tell an impressive story. More than 4.8 million vehicles have rolled off the production line, with over three million built for the South African market.
Today, Volkswagen Group Africa has ambitions that extend well beyond South Africa. The Kariega plant is the sole exporter of the Polo worldwide and produces the Polo Vivo, which has been South Africa’s best-selling passenger car since 2010.
The next chapter is already taking shape with the upcoming Tengo, a new model that will be built in Kariega for South African and African markets.
But Volkswagen’s legacy extends beyond cars. Since 1994, the company has invested approximately R800 million in community projects, while its history also includes skills development, support for workers and significant contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As Volkswagen celebrates 75 years, one thing is clear: its story is no longer simply about cars. It is a story of people, industry, communities and a South African town that has become a significant part of Volkswagen’s global journey.
