The VW Polo Vivo should remain a staple of the South African motoring scene at least until the end of the decade.
This is according to the company’s representatives, who recently spoke about the car’s place in the local market during the launch of the updated models in the Eastern Cape.
A tough position for local carmakers
During a Q&A held at VW’s Polo factory in Kariega (formerly Uitenhage), it was mentioned that the Vivo “will stick around so long as there is demand for it,” reassuring audiences that the popular hatchback isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
However, this was quickly followed up with a remark that the Vivo should remain on the market until at least 2030, but that its future past this point is unclear.
This is in reference to the fact that Volkswagen, like many other automakers, is currently making the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) – a process that is likely to see several existing models dropped from showrooms in the coming years.
The CEO of Volkswagen, Thomas Schäfer, previously explained that it would be too costly and time-consuming to re-develop existing units to meet their EV requirements, rather than starting from scratch with new designs.
This is not a problem that is unique to any one model in the manufacturer’s portfolio, as the Polo and Golf are also in line for the chopping block over the next decade.
VW’s factory in the Eastern Cape
A big reason for this drastic shift has to do with Europe’s impending ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, which will limit the types of models that companies are able to sell in the European Union.
While this may not seem to affect South Africa directly, VW’s factory in the Eastern Cape produces the Polo primarily for export, as roughly 80% of the units made there are shipped overseas.
This means the company will soon be in a position where it may need to shift production to something like the brand’s ID. line of battery-electric models if it hopes to continue selling to foreign markets.
However, there is a ray of hope for the Polo Vivo specifically, as it is a badge that is exclusive to African buyers.
Unlike the regular Polo, the Vivo is not exported to Europe and is instead tailor-made for South Africa and other regional markets, including Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Namibia.
In other words, the Vivo is not bound by the same restrictions as the brand’s more global nameplates, which is good news for its long-term prospects.
While nothing is set in stone at this point, it’s likely that VW may opt to continue to produce the Vivo as an affordable option for the African continent, which will take much longer to reach the point where it can transition to EVs.
This isn’t the first time that the carmaker has done something like this either, as VW’s Argentinian branch still provides the first-gen Amarok bakkie for South America, in contrast to the second-gen models manufactured alongside the Ford Ranger in South Africa.
All of this bodes well for fans of the Vivo badge, which could stick around for a while longer to serve South Africa’s petrolhead audience.
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