Eastern Cape VW Plant Kariega, prepares for A0 SUV Entry production in 2027.
Volkswagen Group Africa has embarked on the next phase of its preparations for
the third model it will build from 2027.
Plans to add this model, an A0 SUV Entry vehicle, to the production line in Kariega
alongside the Polo and Polo Vivo are well underway. About, 60% of the preparation
work in Production were completed during the December 2024 shutdown.
From 14 April to 12 May, the plant halted production to complete the remaining 40%
of the required installations and upgrades in the Body Shop, Paint Shop, and Final
Assembly areas. This work included finalising all installations completed in Body
Shop, station modifications and the programming of robots in Paint Shop, and
modifying conveyors in Final Assembly, among other tasks.
With this work completed and production returning to normal, the A0 SUV Entry
project is now in its commissioning phase. This entails a systematic process of
bringing the new equipment online and performing necessary checks to ensure
these are functioning optimally. This is being done over weekends to prevent any
disruption to Plant Kariega’s production over three shifts.
The A0 SUV Entry project is an exciting one for Plant Kariega, as VWGA is working
closely with colleagues at Volkswagen in Brazil to develop, build and launch this
model.
“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,” said VWGA
Production Director, Ulrich Schwabe. “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.”
www.vw.co.za
