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First South African-built Volkswagen, a Beetle, produced in Uitenhage on 31 August 1951 The plant has built nearly 40 models and over 4.8 million vehicles to date For a third of the time there has been a Uitenhage (now Kariega), there has been Volkswagen in Uitenhage. The small industrial town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, established in 1804, has been home to Volkswagen for 75 years, during which time the brand has built their legacy within the country. The makers of the People’s Car are celebrating their 75th anniversary of building and selling Volkswagens in South Africa, marking the first Beetle being built in the Kariega factory. At the start, this factory belonged to South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors (SAMAD), and the production line-up also featured Studebaker and Austin models. From the moment the first Beetle rolled off the production line on 31 August 1951, it was an icon in the minds of South African customers. The introduction of the Type 2 – also known

generations, with several prestigious awards, with more than 20 million units sold and as a pioneer in the compact car segment. Polo stands for affordable entry-level mobility. When the first new Polos were on sale at dealerships, they were part of a new Volkswagen model family that took over the streets in the early 1970s. In the spring of 1975, the angular small car followed the Passat (1973) and Golf (1974) of the then still young water-cooled model generation, which succeeded the legendary VW Beetle. Throughout six model generations, it is clear that the overall concept – consisting of a fair price-performance ratio, high utility value, pioneering technology for the small car class and, of course, its attractive design – is still popular today and has made the model a bestseller. In addition, the Polo has succeeded in shaping the compact car segment for decades. Recognition from national and international trade media includes awards such as Car of the Year 2010, World Car of the Year 2010

small car segment since 1975 and represents typical Volkswagen virtues such as quality, safety and comfortThe Polo has become an international bestseller over the course of six generations.To kick off the anniversary year, VW Classic will show early models of the Polo at the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2025 (31 January – 2 February 2025) Since 1975, the Volkswagen Polo has delighted generations of people and has become a pioneer in its class: it has always stood for affordable mobility, timeless design and pioneering technology. With more than 20 million vehicles sold in six generations, the Polo has established itself as one of the most successful models in its class. In 2025, Volkswagen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the small compact car. When the VW Beetle was due to be replaced in the 70s, Volkswagen had several models up its sleeve: the Passat came onto the market in 1973, followed a year later by the Golf, while the Polo made its debut in 1975. No vehicle before had been so

Scirocco and Rally Beetle Volkswagen Classic and the Autostadt in Wolfsburg are turning the spotlight on two milestones in automotive history at the International Edelweiß-Bergpreis Rossfeld Berchtesgaden. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf and the Scirocco, the two teams will have several outstanding models from these iconic product lines on the starting line. The historic hill climb race will be held on 28 and 29 September 2024, featuring classic motorsport action in the heart of the Alps. Volkswagen is celebrating 50 years of the Golf this year and will have two very special classic models on the starting line to mark the anniversary: the Golf I GTI Group 4 ‘Pierburg’ and the Golf II GTI Group A ‘World Champion’. Both vehicles will be driven by motorsport professional and Volkswagen test driver Benny Leuchter. The Autostadt team is bringing the legendary VW Scirocco Group 2 by Oettinger to Berchtesgaden, together with a rare 139 PS Rally Beetle 1302. The Golf I GTI

one for several years. For many people in Lower Saxony, the Golf is a piece of home and something they can identify with. Just like the VW Beetle was in the past, the Golf has been a symbol of mobility and freedom for decades. Since 1974, the Golf has made a significant contribution to the stability and growth of Volkswagen and industry in Lower Saxony”, Weil underlined. Prior to the ceremony, the Minister President was joined by Daniela Cavallo, Thomas Schäfer, Production Board Member Christian Vollmer and Group Chief Human Resources Officer Gunnar Kilian on a tour of Golf production. Plant Manager Rainer Fessel explained how manual tasks performed by employees to apply the underseal are supported by AI. During the event, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer underscored the significance of the Golf for the Volkswagen brand. “The Golf is at the heart of the VW brand and has stood for affordable mobility at the highest technical level for half a century. It is the Germans’ favorite car, it has shaped

VW’s YourWagen global campaign kicks off in the UK on May 4, 2024Emotional stories, photos and videos highlight customers’ special relationships with their Volkswagens Volkswagen is putting its customers even more firmly at the center of its marketing going forward: the new YourWagen international communications initiative features examples of how Volkswagen models have always been a reliable partner in people’s lives – with emotional, playful and entertaining storytelling. The campaign kicks off in the UK market on May 4 with a 60-second advert during the “Britain’s Got Talent” broadcast on ITV. In parallel, further real-life tales, photos and videos about Volkswagen drivers and their cars will be posted on the Volkswagen UK website. There will also be multiple activations on social media channels, at retailers and at other events. Susanne Franz, the VW brand’s Chief Marketing Officer, commented: “The VW brand has always built the best cars to suit any situation in life. So what could

(TSI) and turbocharged diesel (TDI) – will be available for the product line in the launch phase. The Golf GTI has become even sportier with added power compared to its predecessor. Further Golf derivatives will be introduced successively throughout 2024. 50 years of the Golf – the history of the bestseller The first series-produced Golf was built at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg at the end of March 1974. The official launch began in May. Prior to this, the Beetle and thus the combination of a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive had shaped the Volkswagen brand for decades. At the beginning of the 1970s, the first Golf – like the Passat, the Scirocco and the Polo – marked the start of a new era: that of the front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive. The modern and safe drive system concept, the great flexibility with a tailgate and folding rear seat backrest, and the design were so convincing that the millionth Golf rolled off the assembly line by

premiere at the 71st International Geneva Motor Show. The bus of the future was designed in the Volkswagen design studio in California especially for the US market. With its original design and numerous innovative ideas, the Microbus harks back to a great tradition, starting in 1950 with the first VW bus. This Volkswagen was successful worldwide and reached cult status, especially in the USA, with the name Microbus. The design study is a new definition of this cult status:A contemporary expression of personality and freedom. Against the backdrop of both the legendary first VW Bus generation - whose design is still, especially in the USA, known and loved today - and the form of the Beetle and the New Beetle, the design study is not a simple copy of the original bus. Our aim was to create another Volkswagen original, which was to pay homage to a great history in its own independent visionary way. The innovative Californian design team has succeeded in doing just this. This independence is demonstrated