In a year that has been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as a global shortage of semi-conductor chips, Volkswagen has remained South Africa’s best-selling passenger car brand for the first ten months of 2021.

“In October, the Volkswagen brand (including Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), sold 5 614 vehicles,” says Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) passenger car brand head Steffen Knapp. 

“The locally-manufactured Polo was our brand’s best-selling model last month with 1 693 units delivered to customers.”

“In the first ten months of 2021, the Volkswagen passenger car brand has sold 51 381 vehicles in the local market,” adds Knapp.

“The Volkswagen Polo Vivo is the best-selling model with 18 241 units sold  – 2 747 more units when compared to the same period last year. 

“The T-Cross, the leader of the A0 sports-utility vehicle (SUV) segment, is now the best-selling imported model, with 5 912 units sold from January to October. 

“Despite the vehicle supply challenges our brand is experiencing, our dealer partners, which account for over 75% of total Volkswagen sales, displayed resilience to ensure that we maintain our leadership in the passenger-car market in South Africa,” notes Knapp. 

The Volkswagen model range was bolstered by the market introduction of the new Tiguan in July, and the new Golf GTI in September. 

The new Tiguan, which is Volkswagen’s second best-selling SUV, has sold 1 301 units since its launch. 

Meanwhile, the new Golf GTI has sold 201 units during its first two months of retail. 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has improved its market share to 3.7% when compared with the same period last year. 

The brand delivered 4 356 units to customers in the first ten months of 2021. 

The Amarok double-cab pickup is the best-selling model with 1 485 units sold and accounted for more than 30% of the brand’s sales. 

Next year will see Volkswagen introduce the facelifted Polo, an all-new compact SUV called the Taigo, and the new Polo sedan. 

The petrolheads can look forward to the introduction of the new Golf 8 R and Tiguan R. 

For Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, 2022 will also be an important year with the market introductions of the new Caddy and the new generation, locally produced Amarok bakkie.