PoloDriver

2010 was the first full year of production for the fifth-generation (6R) of the Volkswagen Polo and one where the model became a truly global car, with local production in India and Russia. It also won more major awards than in 2009, and made its international debut in motorsport, with the inaugural season of the Volkswagen Polo Cup India. We look back at both the major Polo 6R developments and happenings over the last year, and also chronicle the main news stories pertaining to the Polo Vivo, the South African entry-level replacement for the CitiGolf. (Bold entries are illustrated by the picture above that particular month.)

> Read More

The latest NAAMSA figures have been released. During November 2010 a total of 29,530 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa, an increase of 28.9% when compared to November 2009, bringing the year-to-date November market in 2010 to a level 30% above the same period for last year. The Polo Vivo and fifth-generation Polo have contributed to Volkswagen South Africa’s strong finish to 2010, selling 1939 and 1265 units respectively.

‘As a result of record offline production from our plant in Uitenhage in October and November, we are finishing 2010 strongly,’ commented Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa. ‘Polo Vivo has now become firmly entrenched as South Africa’s favourite passenger car brand, while the Polo sold 1265 units in November, rounding off a very successful performance for the two brands built in South Africa,’ Glendinning continued.

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf. Available as both a three or five-door hatchback and four-door saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines, two trim levels are available: base and Trendline. Costing from R104,065 for the most basic 1.4 hatchback to R156,220 for the 1.6 Trendline Sedan, the Polo Vivo is based on the facelifted version of the Series 4 Polo, built from 2005 to 2009. Changes include reprofiled front and rear bumpers, as well as a revised front grille and other minor bodywork-based alterations.

Volkswagen Group South Africa performs ahead of the passenger market year-to-date, with the entry-level Polo Vivo once again the top-selling brand in October 2010. Selling 2576 units, the car remains South Africa’s favourite passenger car brand. Meanwhile, the New Polo maintained a good sales figure of 723 units, despite low October opening stock. Overall, 30,752 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa during October 2010, a total up 2.6% on September, and a rise of 25.1% when compared to the same period in 2009. The year-to-date October market in 2010 is 30.1% above the same period last year.

‘The Polo Vivo was again South Africa’s favourite brand, while the New Polo, the only South African manufactured SA 2010 Car of the Year finalist, had a good result, considering low October opening stock as a result of the industry-wide strikes in previous months,’ commented Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa. ‘Volkswagen Group South Africa has increased passenger sales in the domestic market by 32% year-to-date versus 2009 – 1.9% ahead of the 30.1% total passenger market year-to-date growth, which is testament to our brand strength in a very competitive market,’ Glendinning continued.

The Polo Vivo was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market, replacing the Series 1 Golf-based CitiGolf. Available as both a three or five-door hatchback and four-door saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre petrol engines, two trim levels are available: base and Trendline. Costing from R104,065 for the most basic 1.4 hatchback to R156,220 for the 1.6 Trendline Sedan, the Polo Vivo is based on the facelifted version of the Series 4 Polo, built from 2005 to 2009. Changes include front and rear bumpers, as well as a revised front grille and other minor bodywork alterations.

Not for the first time, the Polo Vivo held onto its best-selling car in South Africa crown last month, despite a 10.5% decrease in passenger car sales being reported which is also mentioned in various car reviews too. A total of 29,993 new cars were sold in the country, a 26% increase on September 2009. Volkswagen South Africa’s entry-level Polo Vivo sold 1939 units, while both it and the fifth-generation New Polo produced at the company’s Uitenhage factory faced build delays, attributed to strikes by motor industry component supplier workers.

‘Despite significant stock shortages as a result of recent industry wide strikes, the Polo Vivo range continued to dominate the entry segment with sales of 1,939 units,’ said Mike Glendinning, Volkswagen Group South Africa Sales and Marketing Director. ‘Supply of both the new Polo and Polo Vivo ranges, manufactured in our Uitenhage plant, was adversely impacted by the prolonged industry strikes. While down on what was an exceptionally buoyant month of new passenger car sales in August, the September new passenger car market performed well, supported by seasonally strong demand from rental car companies.’

The Polo Vivo, which was launched in March 2010 as an entry-level model for the South African market. Available as both a hatchback and saloon with 74bhp/84bhp 1.4-litre and 103bhp 1.6-litre units, two trim levels are available: base and Trendline. Costing from R104,065 for the most basic 1.4 model, the Polo Vivo is based on the facelifted version of the Series 4 Polo, built from 2005 to 2009. Changes include front and rear bumpers, as well as a revised front grille and other minor bodywork revisions.

The entry-level Volkswagen in South Africa, the Polo Vivo, retained its crown as the best-selling passenger car brand in August 2010, with 2958 units finding homes. In addition, 1236 fifth-generation New Polos were sold. ‘Despite the eight-day motor industry strike last month, Volkswagen of South Africa continued to dominate the passenger car market with 19.4% share and total sales of 6527 units. We are still very encouraged by the reaction from the market to our new uniquely South African entry-level Polo Vivo,’ said Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen of South Africa.

A total of 33,541 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa during August 2010. Total new passenger car sales in August, including sales not reported in detail to trade body NAAMSA, increased by 14.8% when compared to July 2010, and by 49.6% when compared to August 2009, bringing the year-to-date August market in 2010 to a level 31.4% above the same period for 2009. Significantly, the Volkswagen Group’s passenger car sales year-to-date, are 37.6% ahead of the same period in 2009 – stronger than the market’s 31.4%.

‘New passenger car sales performed strongly in August recording the largest monthly market since January 2008 with the selling rate of new cars per day reaching levels last experienced in October 2007. While August is traditionally a relatively good month for new passenger car sales, the exceptional buoyancy of the market in August 2010 can in all probability be ascribed to a combination of seasonally strong demand from rental car companies and a buy ahead of the introduction of the CO2 vehicle emissions tax on 1 September 2010. It is estimated that the introduction of the CO2 vehicle emissions tax will result in an increase of new vehicle pricing of 2.5% on average,’ added Glendinning.