Volkswagen is ending European production of the popular Polo after 40 years to prepare its Pamplona plant for the manufacture of affordable small electric SUVs.
After 40 years of loyal service, the Volkswagen Polo is bowing out in Europe. The famous city car will no longer be manufactured on the Old Continent, but will remain available for sale, with production now transferred to South Africa. This milestone marks an important moment for Volkswagen, which is preparing its Pamplona plant in Spain to accommodate the production of new affordable electric vehicles.
Heading for electric
Volkswagen’s decision to stop production of the Polo in Europe is far from insignificant. Car manufacturers are gradually abandoning combustion engines in favor of electric vehicles. The Pamplona plant, which has produced more than 8.4 million Polos since 1984, will now be dedicated to the production of two small, fully electric SUVs from 2026. These two models will be based on the MEB platform, modified for the occasion.
This platform, designed for larger models, has been shortened to allow the production of cars at a more affordable price, closer to entry-level thermal models. One of the objectives is clear: offer more accessible electric vehicles. Volkswagen will not be alone in Pamplona. The Spanish plant will not only manufacture an electric SUV for VW, but also for Skoda, the sister brand of the German group.
The model, which will be called the Skoda Epiq, is expected to start at a price of €25,000, making electric cars more attractive to European customers. Although the Polo will still be available on the European market, it will no longer be produced locally. Instead, the Kariega plant in South Africa will take over to meet demand..
This factory, active since 1951, is no stranger to the manufacture of Polos since it already produces the Polo Vivo, a more affordable version based on the old generation of the small city car. In South Africa, the Polo Vivo was also the best-selling car until August 2023.
Volkswagen Polo: a car that left its mark on Europe
The Volkswagen Polo is not a car like the others. In 40 years, it has become a symbol of the European city car, practical, reliable and accessible. However, its sales in Europe have declined in recent years. If the Polo was still the best-selling model in Europe a decade ago, it now finds itself far behind its competitors. In 2024, 90,107 units were sold in the first eight months of the year, making the Polo the eighth best-selling small car in Europeaccording to data from DataforceThe rise of small SUVs, which are more versatile and more in line with consumer expectations, has undoubtedly played a role in this decline. Models such as the VW T-Roc or the T-Cross have attracted more buyers.
Despite this transition to electric, Volkswagen is not completely abandoning thermal engines. In Pamplona, the T-Cross and Taigo thermal SUVs will continue to be produced alongside the new electric models. Despite a sharp slowdown in recent months, the European car market is entering a new era, with manufacturers such as Volkswagen who are accelerating their transition to cleaner vehicles.
The withdrawal of the Polo from Europe to make way for new, affordable electric models not only marks the end of an iconic car, but also the beginning of a greener journey for the automotive industry. For the moment, the challenge is far from over, especially since the threat of Chinese manufacturers still looms.
Source: www.autoplus.fr
