Johannesburg – Volkswagen has confirmed that the sixth generation Polo, built at the Kariega plant in South Africa, will continue rolling off the production line well beyond 2030 despite the arrival of its electric successor.
The development follows a shift in the European Union’s emissions policies, which have eased some restrictions after slower-than-expected sales of electric vehicles. This has opened the way for the Polo to remain in production until 2033, making it the longest-running model in the history of the nameplate.
Volkswagen’s passenger vehicle head Thomas Schäfer told international motoring publications that the Polo would receive periodic updates to keep it appealing in the market. The next facelift is expected in 2026, five years after the last refresh.
The Polo has been built exclusively in Kariega since September 2023, with the exception of models made for Brazil and China. By the time production ends, the current version, known internally as AW, will have been in the market for 16 years, surpassing the second generation Polo which lasted 13 years between 1981 and 1994.
Volkswagen’s Eastern Cape facility recently set a new record when it produced 167 084 units in 2024, surpassing the previous high of 161 954 units recorded in 2019. The plant, which also manufactures the Polo Vivo and will add the Tengo in 2027, has exported close to two million vehicles since assembly of the Polo began in 1996.
Industry watchers expect more details on the next Polo update to emerge in the coming year.
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