VW SAYS: David Powels, Managing Director, Volkswagen of South Africa, has announced significant developments impacting on the Company’s global export programme, new jobs and a new Parts & Accessories Distribution Centre in Centurion.
The Company commenced the export of the all New Polo to Right Hand Drive countries around the world in 2009. By year end, 19 000 New Polo’s had been exported to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus and Malta. At the same time, the Company announced a 2010 export plan for the New Polo of 55 000 units to these key Right Hand Drive (RHD) markets.
“We are pleased to announce that the Polo export business has been extended to include LHD deliveries to Europe. We now anticipate exporting approximately 71 500 New Polo’s to key RHD markets around the world as well as LHD units to Europe,” said Powels.
The Company commenced the export of the all New Polo to Right Hand Drive countries around the world in 2009. By year end, 19 000 New Polo’s had been exported to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus and Malta. At the same time, the Company announced a 2010 export plan for the New Polo of 55 000 units to these key Right Hand Drive (RHD) markets.
“We are pleased to announce that the Polo export business has been extended to include LHD deliveries to Europe. We now anticipate exporting approximately 71 500 New Polo’s to key RHD markets around the world as well as LHD units to Europe,” said Powels.
“This is a huge vote of confidence on the part of the Volkswagen Group on our manufacturing capability in our Uitenhage Plant”.
“In addition, Volkswagen of South Africa will be the sole producer of the new Cross Polo announced at the Geneva Motor Show on the 2nd of March 2010. During the course of 2010, we will produce approximately 12 000 Cross Polo’s for markets around the world”.
“Volkswagen of South Africa is firmly entrenched within the Volkswagen Group’s Global production network for the all New Polo platform”.
“The New Polo was voted Europe’s Car of the Year for 2009 and is now one of three finalists for the World Car of the Year. Based on the global demand for the New Polo, the potential for export volume growth out of South Africa during the course the year is positive,” pointed out Powels.
“In its first month on the market in South Africa, February 2010, the New Polo sold over 3 300 units. This was an extremely positive reaction from the South African market, giving us further optimism for growth”.
At the same time, Powels announced important engine export contracts to India and China.
“As a result of significant investment in new technology within our Engine manufacturing plant in Uitenhage, our engine export programme has been extended to both India and China. During the course of 2010, we will export in excess 8 500 EA111 engines to India and approximately 30 000 of these engines to China. This development promises significant growth potential in future years”.
As a result of these export developments, the Company has announced the creation of new jobs and relevant skills at its manufacturing plant in Uitenhage.
“During the latter part of 2009, we embarked on the recruitment and intensive training of 860 new employees to join Volkswagen of South Africa on fixed term temporary contracts for a period of six months, commencing February 2010. The creation of 860 new jobs together with the required skills level is a major boost to the Nelson Mandela Bay,” commented Powels.
“Whilst these new jobs are for a six month fixed term contract, the people have been given significant skills enhancement opportunities, thereby creating genuine empowerment”.
Volkswagen of South Africa announced the introduction of its new entry level segment car – the Polo Vivo – this week. The new Polo Vivo will form the second manufacturing platform at the VW of SA Uitenhage Plant.
“The final piece in the jigsaw puzzle of our R4 billion investment programme has now fallen into place. We are producing the new Polo Vivo as a major competitor in the entry level segment of the car market in South Africa. The new Polo Vivo will offer South African motorists a unique solution to affordable mobility”.
“The Polo Vivo is built at our Uitenhage Plant with 70% of parts provided by South African suppliers. The localisation of parts for both the new Polo Vivo and the New Polo has resulted in the creation of hundreds of jobs and the mushrooming of a vast Supplier Logistics Park in the Uitenhage area,” said Powels.
“The Polo Vivo Brand is driven by Volkswagen’s intention to make motoring accessible to more South Africans. It will set new benchmarks in its segment for affordability, quality, safety, space and comfort. The Polo Vivo is a car that truly captures the can-do spirit of the South African nation. It is offered in both a hatchback and sedan configuration and prices start from R101 500,” said Powels.
“To support our Dealer Network and ensure optimum parts availability to our customers, a new R220m state of the art P&A Distribution Centre located in Centurion, Gauteng will be completed in July 2010. This facility will embrace the most sophisticated P&A Distribution systems available globally. This investment is a critical part of our growth plan in South Africa”.
“2010 is promising to be an extremely exciting and challenging year for Volkswagen of South Africa. A year in which we will practically double the production output in our Plant in Uitenhage over 2009,” concluded Powels.
This shows the success of Polo in the international market.Volkswagen CrossPolo is compact and subtle but it doesn't mean that it compromises with the luxury.Its interior is comfortable and gives you a feel of being special.
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