German reports suggest that the Volkswagen Citi Golf — currently produced only in South Africa — will end production in the coming months to make way for Uitenhage to concentrate on the new Polo and Jetta production from 2010.

“After nearly 32 years, Citi is clearly nearing the end of its life cycle,” the report quotes VWSA boss David Powels.

The ’70s Citi is the last of the cult model Golf 1 to be produced, but that production will cease as Uitenhage prepares for production of the latest VW Polo and Jetta from the plant.

“There are a couple more innovations up our sleeve before the legend bows out,” a VWSA spokesperson confirmed to Cars in Action Online. Which will certainly not be in 2009.”

Volkswagen is reported to be investing R3.5-billion in preparing the Uitenhage works in preparation for a new Polo and Jetta export deal and that will require Citi to end production to make way for the new line. The report also confirmed that VWSA will import the Argentinian-built Robust one-tonne bakkie to the South Africa — the third biggest pickup truck market in the world.

The report goes on to confirm that one in four new cars sold in SA is a Citi and that a record number of 28000 Citis was sold as recently as 2005. Citi is almost structurally identical to the original Golf 1 built in Germany from 1978 to 1983 and was introduced to the SA market as a low budget option in 1984. It remains on the market today, the report concluded.

Most interesting are the comments from internet surfers who are either amazed with VW’s audacity in selling so old a car or saluting the life of a legend…The report however fails to name a successor to Citi, an aspect we have already pondered.

source: iafrica Motoring

Popularity: 100% [?]

Volkswagen South Africa marked the production of its 400 000th Polo at its factory at Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape last month, with demand for the car being boosted by an earlier export order destined for Europe. Launched in South Africa in 1996, the second-generation Polo is top of the Ao hatch segment for the year to date, with a 19.8% market share.

“In addition, over the past two years, the Polo brand has claimed the title of South Africa’s most popular passenger car with sales far outnumbering its nearest rivals,” VW South Africa said in a statement last week.

Approximately 70 000 Polo hatchbacks have been exported to countries in the Asia Pacific region since 2002, while the company also secured an order for an addition 6 000 units for export to Germany.

“The new generation of this successful Volkswagen marquee will arrive in South African showrooms in 2010, having just been launched into the European market,” VWSA said.

Export markets

Volkswagen South Africa said earlier this year that 40% of its total planned production volume in 2009 would be exported. Its initial export of vehicles occurred in the early 1990s with the clinching of an export deal for 12 500 left-hand drive Jettas destined for China. It then proceeded to win orders for third-generation Golf GTIs to the United Kingdom, a significant order for fourth-generation Golfs to Europe and, in 2004, started exporting Polos and new Golfs to the Asia Pacific region.

Following on its Jetta export heritage, the company secured the order to export the latest Jetta model in May last year to countries including Australia, Japan and Great Britain.

source: SAinfo reporter, South African Information website.

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