Volkswagen Indaba 2024 gave the South African motoring media a preview into the products hitting our roads this year and some insights into the VW business locally.
Hosted at its Kariega assembly plant, the Volkswagen Indaba 2024 was a chance to put a finger on the pulse of all things Volkswagen, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and of course, a chance to see some of the hot new metal set to be introduced to our market.
Before we get stuck into the hot new metal, VWSA will be re-branding to Volkswagen Group Africa, which gives you some idea of the strategy that will be kicking into high gear from 2024. With the European market gradually transitioning to electric vehicles, VGA has had to consider a frightening potential reality; there will be no market for petrol-powered Polo and Polo GTI exports.
As a reminder, over 70% of the vehicles assembled here are destined for foreign markets and the loss of which will be devastating. Hence, the pivot into Africa. The factory contributes significantly to the Eastern Cape economy, with 3 900 direct jobs and around 20 000 jobs in the greater supply chain, and the Kariega facility is now the sole provider for the world’s Polos and Polo GTIs.
SA’s most popular passenger car, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, will continue on. When asked about a facelift or upgrades, the answer was telling. “Why change a winning formula?”
The good news is that there’ll be a 3rd model joining local production. While it’s still extremely early in the product’s gestation (we don’t even have a name yet) and it will only be going into production in 2026/2027, we do know that it will be an A0-class SUV built on the MQB27 platform and powered by an internal combustion engine. There’s also a chance a small bakkie will be assembled on this platform too, so watch this space.
Volkswagen Indaba 2024 Product Highlights
If you’ve reached this point, thanks for reading! Volkswagen Group Africa has a considerable array of vehicles earmarked for local introduction. While all eyes were on the four vehicles that had been flown in for the event, Volkswagen confirmed that there will be a mild update to the Polo GTI and the Polo sedan will gain turbocharged TSI engines.
Volkswagen ID.4
The electric ID.4 is confirmed for our market. Initially it will be a test fleet with members of the motoring media behind the wheel. Final specifications and pricing structure is still to be confirmed.
We’ve already had a taste of what the Volkswagen ID.4 offers. Read our report here.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The all-new Volkswagen Tiguan made an appearance and while we’re not completely sold on the overall design yet, there’s no denying the new lighting array is bold and striking. Expect to see this vehicle launched early in the 3rd quarter of 2024.
All you need to know about the brand-new Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen T-Cross facelift
The most popular imported Volkswagen gets its first facelift and in this change, there have been upgrades to the cabin trim and the lighting clusters get enhanced. In showrooms towards the end of the 3rd quarter 2024.
What’s changed in the facelifted T-Cross? Read and find out
Volkswagen Touareg facelift
The flagship Volkswagen luxury SUV has been updated and features numerous enhancements both inside and out. It will be hitting the SA market in the 2nd quarter of 2024.
All you need to know about the updated Touareg here
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