Volkswagen of South Africa produces 2.5 millionth vehicle
12th November 2007
The 2.5 millionth vehicle has rolled off the production line at Volkswagen of South Africa’s Uitenhage factory, another major milestone in the Company’s 56 year history.
The 2.5 millionth vehicle, a fifth generation Golf 1.6, was received with pride by employees who had gathered to celebrate the occasion on 7 November 2007.
In his address, Volkswagen of SA Managing Director, David Powels, hailed the manufacture of 2.5 million vehicles as “an achievement we can all feel justifiably proud of”.
“Interestingly, the 2.5 million vehicles we have produced here in Uitenhage include 913 000 Golfs, 314 000 Jettas, 308 000 Polos, 290 000 Beetles, 266 000 Type 2 and Type 3 Busses, 147 000 Audis and 104 000 Passats. This illustrates just how diversified and flexible our plant has been over the past 56 years,” he explained.
Thanking the employees, Mr Powels continued: “I know many of you here today have been with the Company for almost a lifetime. It is this kind of loyalty that has been the hallmark of employees at Volkswagen for so many years. In return, Volkswagen of South Africa has remained extremely loyal and committed to not only this immediate region in which we all work and live, but also to our country South Africa.
“Through good and bad times, Volkswagen of South Africa has remained committed to building People’s Cars and thereby offering the people of South Africa affordable mobility. Importantly, we have created thousands and thousands of jobs and given a similar number of people the opportunity to acquire skills.
“What we have collectively achieved here in South Africa in the past 56 years, gives us all reason to be extremely proud – proud to be South Africans and proud to be part of the Volkswagen Family.”
Mr Powels emphasised that, currently, Volkswagen of South Africa is very different to the Company that operated in 1951. “In 1951 all we built were Volkswagen Beetles for the South African domestic market. Now we build three different platforms with numerous model derivatives, as well as engines and components for both domestic and export markets.
“We have become more and more diversified and productive. As a result, our next 2.5 million cars will take significantly less than half the time to build than it took to build the first 2.5 million!” he noted.
