VW confirms small car production

Give please. Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend. I am from Antigua and also now'm speaking English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Prices began falling through september, then tumbled further still." With love :-D, Mckale.

Again, yes the Citi is old and needs replacing, we all know and aknowledge that. VWSA could have brought the Lupo to SA, which is the equivalent but we (the consumer, liked the Golf & therefor they did not even bother). As someone previously said VW always uses letters in between the names like with the "IROC' concept, which was the scIROCco. The UP! is most likely the lUPo. I for one just hope VWSA does something for the discontinuation (almost like they did with the Citi R) maybe make 100 x Cabbies or 2 door Golfs before they shut it down. Someone else also mentioned the production plant responsible for the production of the Citi. What will now happen to this plant in the meantime, while VWSA decides to introduce the UP! in SA? I also think that the mentallity of SA citizems has shifted from buying the Citi, as most are opting for the 1.4i Polo instead. Not a massive price difference between the 2. Does anyone know if the Polo is still the no1 selling vehicle in SA?

I've owned a VeloCiti 1.4i, with regards to performance, robot to robot races were exciting, but apart from that, it's a 1/4i, how much performance do you expect from a N/A 1400cc engine? People bashing Toyota here really shouldn't, I do agree that newer models maybe considered boring by some, but I got rid of my Velo and purchased a 20V RXi... If you still doubt Toyota performance, call me and I'll take you for a test drive. The Citi Golf will be missed BUT it needs to be replaced. With regards to safety issues (not so much on the road but parking lots), I was in an attempted hijacking just 3 weeks after owning my VeloCiti. Had to check up on my car every 30 minutes when parked outside a shopping mall. This new Up! models looks hideous, I personally cannot see any current Citi Golf owners purchasing this!

I bet you all you idiots that knock the citi have been in one at some stage of your life.

ANON 7h24 - Where do you come from? What the HELL has a Fiat 500 got to do with this article? You can't honestly tell us that you're comparing the cars........pls tell me you're joking?

I find this rather amuzing: The number of posts on any citigolf-related topic tend to represent the mental maturity of the majority of SA citizens, guess politicians know this as well.

Fiat 500!

All the citi golf needs is upgraded brakes and power-steering.

@Andre, I would rather take my chances with any V-dub including the citi, before buying a toy-ota....japcrap.. These guys driving thier toy-ota's in the fast lane @ 90kph of the highway oblivious to traffic and the VW wanting to overtake! And as VWGroupie said GM is filing for bankrupcy.

The point that most citi advocates miss when arguing about the value for money/affordability of a new citigolf, is that it is actually not comparable to anything else on the market because its design is so old (35 years!). It is not comparable to similarly priced new cars because those new cars have the benefit of 35 years of technical improvement, nor is it comparable to similarly priced vehicles on the second hand car market, because second hand cars will always have wear and tear. In reality the citigolf sits in a grey area all on its own. It represents an interesting trade off - between getting another new car with superior safety and comfort, but less space and power, or getting a much better second hand car with a chunk of mileage. The "value" that an individual gets out of a citigolf actually depends on their personal set of values. If you value being able to drive fast, driving a German car, and being seen in a new car, but place no value on safety, comfort or quality, then a citigolf is the perfect car for you. If I was in the position that I had to choose, I could accept the lack of comfort, and even the poor quality, but I simply cannot understand a mindset that would happily trade more speed for inferior safety (and to the person who made the idiotic comment about the citigolf's "crumble zone technology" (sic) - I can only shake my head at your ignorance - and of course chuckle at the grammatical error that actually holds an element of truth in it). I think the second hand car market offers much more sensible options. It is easy to find a second hand car which is significantly better specced than a citigolf - in size, comfort, safety and performance, for R20K less than a citigolf, and put that money aside for maintenance. That to me offers significantly better value than a citigolf. The only thing that a second hand car will not be able to offer is the experience of driving a "new" car. For many people the desire to drive a brand spanking new car is very appealing and tends to override common sense and logic. In principle the idea of the citigolf is still relevant - ie continuing to produce a previous generation model to offer as a budget choice to buyers. BUT the actual citigolf itself became obsolote 10-15 years ago. VW really should have replaced it with the previous Polo playa, which is a very similar car to the citigolf, only 20 years newer - and I say SHAME ON VWSA for not doing so (although that being said, who can blame them given that the consumer happily pays for the very overpriced citigolf). And yes, I do believe they could have offered a "citipolo" for almost the same price as they currently sell the citigolf for. I for one would welcome the end of the citigolf line and the advent of a more modern replacement (even if it is generation or 2 old). It is long, long overdue.

Why do retards drive Citi golfs and opel corsa lites? It seems that all these cars are driven by wannabee race drivers.Get real retards and go to a race track..keep it off the roads. How many times have you been passed by one of these retard racers weaving through traffic with Frisco tin exhaust tailpipes suedo racing seatbelts ( never actually used) and all the other idiotic fast and furious spoilers.? I am convinced the dealers ask buyers of these cars to take an IQ test .Anything BELOW normal IQ means you are qualified to buy!!They are on same level of intelligence as taxi drivers!!

AT ELIO, you smoking rocks mate. What's affordable about your TOYota, I mean Tupperware? And take a look at every broken down car on the road, or every car accident, and you'll notice that 9 out of 10 times, it's a TOYota. The car that so many idiots say is so reliable. YEAH RIGHT. ANDRE - If the CITI (not CITY) is the worst car EVER, then why after 30 years are they still selling like hot cakes? You're obviously brainless if you think a CITI is not fun. You obviously have never had the privelage of throwing one around a few tight corners, or being in a 1.4i that embaresses any N/A 1.6 out there. GAZMIC - Where can you find a demo Polo for R100K. A new Polo 1.4 Trendline without any extras costs R139K, demos don't drop by R39K. I'm in the motor industry, and demos depreciate by 2% every month. So that demo you're talking about will need to be in stock for a VERY VERY long time, and will accumulate about a 100 000kms in that time. Get your facts straight!!!

Peter and VWGroupie - Thanks for sticking up for the CITI like I did. As you guys said, almost everyone in this country has owned a little Mk1 some time or another.

AT ELIO, you smoking rocks mate. What's affordable about your TOYota, I mean Tupperware? And take a look at every broken down car on the road, or every car accident, and you'll notice that 9 out of 10 times, it's a TOYota. The car that so many idiots say is so reliable. YEAH RIGHT. ANDRE - If the CITI (not CITY) is the worst car EVER, then why after 30 years are they still selling like hot cakes? You're obviously brainless if you think a CITI is not fun. You obviously have never had the privelage of throwing one around a few tight corners, or being in a 1.4i that embaresses any N/A 1.6 out there. GAZMIC - Where can you find a demo Polo for R100K. A new Polo 1.4 Trendline without any extras costs R139K, demos don't drop by R39K. I'm in the motor industry, and demos depreciate by 2% every month. So that demo you're talking about will need to be in stock for a VERY VERY long time, and will accumulate about a 100 000kms in that time. Get your facts straight!!!

@VWGROUPIE: My apologies re your enjoyment of the citi as a youngster. I thought you meant it's the best car you've ever experienced your entire life.

@VWGROUPIE Your article posted at 3:28pm Spelling bud!!! reffering = referring fly-by-nite = fly-by-night embaress = embarrass

@VWGROUPIE. You a CITY driver, so what would you know. And no, I'm not born with the silver spoon.... I just don’t like to buy KRAP!!! And for the spelling... Dude, do me a favor and paste your postings in a word document.... it suck! And I’ve spelled it like CITY because I’m sarcastic... WOW, though you would have seen that one coming….. WISE A@#

Any car that is cheap, affordable to run, and where parts are easily available gets my vote! If that is a Citi Golf then so be it! Long live the Citi until something better comes along! I sincerely doubt that the Up! will be in the same price range though..

@eddy. Yes, I said it. It was a lot of fun when I was 18. It was nice to have an affordable vehicle with decent performance & decent handling compared to something in the same price class back then. reffering to Spark, Tazz, Corsa, Uno. Seriously, if I had owned one of the others I don't think I would still be here today. It was a fun drive with low maintenance (services only in 4 years) Show me any of these other korean or fly-by-nite car manufacturers that can be "abused" the way I did & only do necessary maintenance. Remember why the MK1 was built. To embaress big engined vehicles back in the day. And until today this is still the case. Its more about the legacy than the car at this stage. It needs to be replaced which is a good thing. Still sad though. BTW, most people drove a MK1 at one stage in their lives, it's just a start.

If the citi is such a crap car why does so many toyota owners buy the 1.4 and velo mags for there cars, they don't have style if ask me,another thing citi's been around the block since the 70's when most of the toyota fans wheren't even born.

I'd like one! My Citi is getting a little long in the tooth. Besides its crappy brakes, I must say I still enjoy my car, but then I'm a commuter and careful driver and not a wannabe racer...

I had a chicco 1.4i for about a year and a half , to tell the truth it was a nice car, it never gave me problems.

@Andre. "The US Treasury Department is directing General Motors to lay the groundwork for a bankruptcy filing by June 1, even though the automaker has publicly stated it could reorganise outside of court, The New York Times reported on Sunday". This is one of the articles on Wheels 24. Chev, Saab, Caddilac, Opel, Hummer etc. are all part of the GM group. Get your facts before bashing!

City Golf safety. For those who are interested, the Citi is a safe car, compared to some other vehicles in its price range. The Citi uses crumble zone technology, which ubsorbs the impact on head on colisions. I have seen a City hit Ford head on and all people in the City had only bruises ect. The lady in her Ford was not so lucky and had mayor injuries.. Something to think about....

Whether its the new Lupo or Citi Golf, they are all to expensive. Car manufactures are all taking us for a ride in SA.

@ Andre, while we are busy bashing for no reason... Maybe you should spend less time bashing people & rather focus on your spelling. It is a CITI...Not "City". And "KRAP" is actually "CRAP" Get it right son.

@ Johan. I agree with you 100%. These other people on here that was born with a silver spoon up their @sses would never understand. @ Andre. Aren't Chev part of the GM group? GM is about to crash if you haven't heard or stuck under a rock for the past couple of months. And even if Chev is not part of the company that is going down, it won't be trusted as much again. Think back to the Saab fiasco. You have to wake up DUDE! And, why would it not surprise you? Because you also one of those silver spoon yuppies? Please, you don't know me, so don't judge me dumbass! Grow a pair! I was merely commenting on someone elses comment. Was not talkin to you so keep idiotic comments to yourself!

The Citi Golf would be the perfect car, if it cost around half as much as it does. But for the same price you can get so much more. I've personally had both a Golf and a Golf Caddy Bakkie and they were horrible. This is a much better looking car to start off with and looks a lot more advanced. If they can get the price right it should be a winner

Guys let's be honest, both sides in this argument are right ! This Citi Golf is an old unsafe car that should have been replaced in 2006 ! But it also areasonable for people looking for a new car for under R100k. But I have a friend who works at VW and he says is costs VW R40k to make the citi golf !! That is what I find rediculous !! The Citi Golf should cost around R60k at the most !! It is way overpriced for what you get !

Well let's just wait to see what price this Up is going to come in at. VW is ripping everyone off with over priced cars - a prime example would be the new Golf 6, the Golf 5 was discontinued because the Golf 6 was cheaper to manufacture - if that is the case, then why is the Golf 6 so much more expensive ! - i fear that the Up is going to follow suit and is going to be extremely expensive !!!!

Did I just read somebody saying "..most fun i've had with a car"- referring to a citigolf. We seriously need some genetic cleansing on this site, if it's to remain an autocentric site.

@Johan: Thanks a lot for the most sensible comment I've ever read at Wheels24. People tend to assume that since this is a site for "piston heads", we just have to bash affordable transportation out of existance. The sales prove there are some (a lot) less fortunate people out there who need to get around as well. Also remember SA is still a world 3 country, grow up people!

@VWGROUPIE.... doesn't come to me as a supprise that you girlfriend drives a TAZZ....

the city golf will become a collectors item ha ha ha ,not really

@Johan I don't know what is "Afforability"but I know what Affordability is, a Japanese car namely Toyota!!!

@VWGROUPIE. where the hell did you see that Chev is on it's way out????? Whakeup dude!!! And VW City is a piece of krap!! WORST car EVER!!! But, I must say, thi nk this will be a nice little car. Wont buy it, but will be better than the City. And yes, it is not going to be cheap.... but neither is the Citi golf.... R100k for a thing that should be displayed in museums.... And anyone that says the City is fun, cool or whatever, is brainless!!!!!

The reason we hate the citi so much is that it takes the same amount of metal and parts to make a modern, safe car, but instead, VW sell you a 25 yr old biscuit tin with cardboard brakes for the same money as a demo polo 1.4. It's sick. There is no reason they can't make it safer on the road for the same price. (eg: stripped out polo body).

@ Gus. I agree 100% with you. I have been one of the lucky ones that has not been hijacked or had my Golf stolen. My GF has a Tazz & has also been very lucky. I have gotten rid of the Citi, due to space. But was still an awesome car! I enjoyed the parts availablity without hearing ''we do not have in stock, but can order for you or agents only"

@Anon User 9:43 - You talk such a lot of cr@p! Not everybody in this country has the money to buy a Merc or a BMW. Some of the people just have to put up with something (a lot) cheaper. And of the cheaper cars, the Citi Golf is probably your best bet. What is a cr@p and unsafe car to you is most certainly a very viable proposition to a lot of less fortunate people than you. Instead of critisizing, say thank you that you can afford something better than that - I take it you can, or can you? Do you know what the term "Afforability" means? And where the hell does it say that airbags and ABS guarantees you a safe crash? Some people (like Natalie probably) knows the shortcomings of their cars and adapt their driving accordingly to an extent. It is not only Citi Golfs that have crashes and its not only in Citi Golfs that people gets hurt or killed in. Get real!!

Please can anyone explain why it takes soooo long for these new models to reach market.First unveiled in 2007 ,surely it is more advantageous for auto manufacturers to get these new exciting vehicles to the public quicker.5 years between concept and production seems rather drawn out.This also goes for the plethora of hybrid electric etc etc vehicles which have been showed and previewed but everybody besides Toyota and honda have still to offer them to the buying public.I say keep them to yourself until you can actually make and sell these vehicles..I think its just a load of marketing gumph to excite everyone when in reality these manufacturers have nothing to offer.Just a thought!!

i just imported a car manufactured in south africa, exported to another country and then i imported it back hear for for only three quarter of the price you can buy on the local market. Wat does that tell you about the manufacturers and dealer of our wonderful south africa. P.S its a new car

Its about time. The citi and Tazz are the most available cars.Can be modified.Cheap affordable and parts are all over the place but on the downside these cars stolen , hijacked frequently. A friend of mine got hijacked three times before deciding on buying a VW thats not really main stream. So if this replaces the citi good on VW.

This will probably cost an arm and a leg, as all cars in ZA. Good luck selling this, cause personally, while it looks good, I am not buying till prices drop radically

Well, to be honest it does look like the Citroen C1 and Peugeot Equiv. However, I recall that a VW, Uitenhague rep was asked if they would ever stop making the Citi and this was at the same time Toyota stopped the TAZZ. VW's response was that so long as a market for the car existed, so would the production line for the car. Realistically though, if SA jobs are to be saved it means that we have to produce cheaper at the same quality or a better quality at the same price. So far we produce low quality at a non competitive price and despite an economic down turn it remains a fundamental issue to any and all of Motor Manufacturer's survial in SA. I use to work for one of them and back then it was 40 % cheaper to fully import than to manufacture locally and then the quality just makes imports worthwhile.

Why don't we get the Fox in this country first?? I thought that would be the logical Citi replacement...

As expected, citi bashers hit this like a fly to a fresh dog poo. 3 things that really irk me are ill-informed citi bashers, arrogant BMW drivers and small men in big SUV's that tail gate. Grow up people, citi golf is legendary and no amount of whinging and ill informed remarks will change that. (and no, I don't drive a citigolf)

Dig the back lights in the window!

Some comments here are definitely bordering on stupid like ANON 4/23/2009 9:26 AM, you so narrow minded that you comment on issues that you clearly have no clue about. 1st off the CitiGolf ends this year but will be sold till early next year depending on stock levels, logical.Second, the present Polo will replace it in a budget form and will be build along side the new Polo which shares the same platform, which Toyota and every other manufacturer does to curb costs. Lastly, NO MATTER WHAT yr limited personal opinion is about the "shity golf" still sells....so get over yourself.

A lot of people are slagging the citi golf as if they were tricked into buying it. If you dont like it dont buy it. Besides there are a ton of other death traps that are available out there; eg, corsa, tazz, uno, and most bakkies. None of these have airbags.

SO BLY NOU KAN ONS ALBEI ARMS "TAN" AQS TWEE VENSTERS OPP IS !! NIE VIR KLEIN BOERE NIE !

@ ANON 4/23/2009 9:26 AM. I am guessing you one of those pansies that opted to buy a Chev Spark. Bet your friends rip you off everyday. If you 18-21, you do not care if there are airbags etc. in a car. You want reliability, cheap maintenance, that will free up money to spend on partying etc. Don't jsut knock VW & Citi drivers because you cannot keep up in your "Matiz" look alike. Better than buying something like a Geely (which pulled out of SA) or Chev Spark (That is on it's way out). Think logically dumbass!

@ Natalie, go ahead and have a crash in a Citi and then we will ask you if you have a problem with the car. Take your VW blinkers off.

Oh please, if you think that VW will kill off the mark I u need to catch a wake up call. Every time we think it will be killed off, VW extends its shelf life. The fact that its dynamics date back to the 70's and it is an unsafe vehicle which ever way you look at it, VW continue to prosper off the Mark I. The UP! will be priced according to VW's pricing policies, which is, completely over priced and out of touch with reality. No longer "The People's Car" thats for sure. Mark 1 will stay and the UP! will be targeted at middle range of Yaris buyers.

Surely this will be marketed as the next Lupo and not the Up! ? VW have a tendency of unveiling a model using the middle of an existing name. E.g. Iroc = Sirocco, Up = Lupo Either way, it looks to be a great little car. Other manufacturers are doing well with these micromini cars like the IQ, 107, Aygo, C1, etc.

People going on about the VW shity is just uninformed and is definitely uninformed and do not know any better. It is a piece of old crap. Uncomfortable, noisy, looks old - because it is, unsafe - very unsafe, cramped and just plain ridiculous. Motoring has moved on along time ago, look at for example decent budget motoring (toyota aygo ext.) compared to this antique deathtrap. Please wake up VW.

Why are so many people against the citi golf? I am on my 3rd one and have never had a problem. True, they are not built to standard of other cars but they do get you from A - B and they are popular on the road. Long live the Citi-Golf

The only problem I have with a city golf is that a 1.4i does not cost R60,000 like it should.

vw's best move yet to replace citi golf. what a relief.

It's amazing how motoring journalists and supporters of other makes love to slag off the Citi Golf. But if you have limited cash and are looking for a proven tough car at a good price and with zillions of spare parts available, the Citi is a no-brainer choice. No airbags? Tell me, how many people ever get to have to use one? One in ten thousand? A hundred thousand? Me, I'll belt up and take a chance on that one, rather than have a new small car from the East fall apart on me, with rotten service back-up and the chance of them exiting SA.

yep, i'm sure VW will continue production of the citi golf, after all it has become an iconic piece of krap....besides, why stop selling junk when gullible fools are still out there and willing to buy???

This will be a fresh change. As for the replacement of the Citi, I have owned 2 so far. Given, it is not the safest, or most aerodynamic, but it is the most fun I've had with a car. These vehicles are legendary! It is a good start-off car with good value for money, cheap maintenance & decent performance. There is a good reason for them making the MK1 for almost 50 years, being a fun & affordable vehicle. If you consider pricing of the Golf, what can you buy in the same price range that can be accepted without your friends mocking you? I for one hope they will make a MK1 for the next 50 years. Maybe they should consider making another 2 door & a cabby. That will rock!

Look at those strange wheels :)

So WHY is Uitenhage losing manuf contracts? If the Citi goes, it is good bye to the plant????

Yay!!! Eventually they're going to stop production of the Citi Golf.

And yes they will still be selling the Citi Golf along side it! You won't believe it but your grand children will also be able to buy a citi doesn't matter how old you are.