A new locally manufactured, entry-level SUV will soon be hitting South Africa’s roads

Volkswagen SA is expanding its manufacturing plant in Kariega, Eastern Cape, to accommodate the new vehicle, Engineering News reports. The SUV is scheduled to roll off the line in 2027.

Dubbed the A0 SUV Entry project, it is being developed in collaboration with Volkswagen in Brazil, while the procurement team in South Africa has already nominated all the parts suppliers in line with localisation targets.

While 60% of the extension work was completed in December during the plant’s 25-day holiday shutdown, the remaining work at the Kariega facility will require a four-week shutdown until the middle of May. The plant also manufactures the popular Polo and Polo Vivo VW models.

The current work, which will focus on the body shop, paint shop and final assembly line, will include finalising all installations in the body shop; station modifications and the programming of robots in the paint shop; and modifying conveyors in the assembly area.

‘When the first unit of this new vehicle rolls off our production line, it will be a proud moment for the entire VWGA family, and I firmly believe this new vehicle will be just as iconic as the beloved Polo and Vivo we are already building,’ says VW Group Africa production director Ulrich Schwabe.

22 April 2025
Image: Volkswagen