VOLKSWAGEN STOPS MANUFACTURING IN EASTERN CAPE

Upgrades at its factory in the Eastern Cape will mean Volkswagen will halt assembly for about a month.

Ulrich Schwabe, VW Group Africa Production Director, said it’s another step in the company’s upgrade project.

“The planned work builds on the foundation of the installations performed in December 2024 during the plant’s annual shutdown.”

The 25-day shutdown at the end of last year meant a lot of work got done in preparation for this step.

“Approximately 60% of the required changes were effected over the 25 days of shutdown, including the installation of 38 new fixtures and seven new robots, along with other modifications.”

With several car manufacturers recently announcing that it plans to close several of its branches or even leave the country completely, this is a good step towards Volkswagen’s belief in the South African economy.

Volkswagen plans to get its factory ready to build its much-anticipated entry-level SUV locally.

The car manufacturer’s local product development division is collaborating with its counterparts in Sao Bernardo do Campo in Brazil to develop the division.

The new SUV has been unveiled as the Tera in Brazil, but in South Africa, it will have another name. That name is to be decided by the public, as Volkswagen will soon invite the public to submit their nominations.

Image credit: TopAuto