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Volkswagen South Africa has launched several new models in South Africa during the first six months of the year. Its myriad of offerings began with the automaker's all-new Polo in January.
Since then, new models from the German automaker has been taking the local market by storm.
The Polo and the Polo Vivo are the two best sellers in the passenger car market without fail every single month this year.
Volkswagen sold 22 910 units during last year, averaging with 1910 cars sold each month. The Polo Vivo tops the SA sales charts with 28 402 units sold in 2017, averaging 2367 cars sold monthly.
Following the arrival of these two popular models, Volkswagen had told Wheels24 that it would be a busy year ahead for the brand with five local launches in the first half of 2018.
Packing the numbers
According to Naamsa figures, Volkswagen has sold 10 126 Polo models and 11 608 Polo Vivo models since January 2018 to date at end of May.
The new Polo Vivo was launched in mid-February while the Polo Vivo Maxx became available in June.
The highly-anticipated Polo GTI also arrived early June, much to the delight of VW fans. It's the first time the Polo GTI now features a 2.0-litre TSI engine, good for 147kW - the same output as that of the Golf V GTI when it arrived here.
The new model is locally built at the VW plant in Uitenhage, making the vehicle almost R12 000 more affordable than the previous version with a price tag of R375 900.
Family-orientated vehicles
Volkswagen also launched its striking Arteon in May. The automaker has a legacy of building quality premium sedans. Its latest foray into the sedan segment sees the German automaker launch the eyebrow-raising Arteon in SA.
The Arteon represents Volkswagen's top passenger model and the new gran turismo is produced at its facility in Emden, Germany.
Then there's the new Tiguan Allspace, launched in April, VW's only seven-seater currently available in the range.
There are only four models in the Allspace line-up, while the NWB retains its original range. The Allspace line-up comprises - 1.4 TSI 110kW DSG in Trendline trim, A 2.0-litre 132kW 4M DSG and a 2.0-litre 110kW TDI 4M DSG both in Comfortline and a 2.0-litre TSI 162kW TSI 4M DSG topping the range.
There are quite a number of changes to the Allspace compared to the NWB - normal wheel base Tiguan; notably, the bonnet is more raised, the grille revised the under-body protection is now available in grey/body colour, there is decorative badging and trapezoidal tailpipes.
On the Commercial front, the automaker launched its new Crafter in May.
With a maximum permitted weight of 5.0 metric tonnes, a larger maximum cargo volume of 17.5 m³ and an excellent variety of drive types and derivatives, Volkswagen says the new Crafter offers highly functional solutions for everyday use that will meet customer expectations for individual transport tasks in all areas.
More from VW
At the end of July, the new Touareg will be launched in SA. Volkswagen revealed its new Touareg in China earlier in March.
Compared to its predecessor, the third-generation Touareg is moderately wider and longer. Its new dimensions have positive effects on both the vehicle's proportions and its amount of interior space.
In Europe, Volkswagen will initially offer two V6 diesel engines for the new 2018 Touareg with outputs of 170kW and 210kW.
In a number of markets, this will also be followed by a V6 petrol engine (250kW) and a V8 turbodiesel (310kW). Details for the SA market will be revealed at the local launch.
VW also released a 190kW and 580Nm (up from 165kW) version of its Amarok V6 turbodiesel engine. The arrival of the V6 is yet to be announced for SA, but will mot likely be in 2019.
