The EA111 engines, 1.4-litres and 1.6-litres, are fitted in the Polo Vivo model range (hatch and sedan body variants). The Polo Vivo has been the top-selling passenger model in South Africa since its launch in 2010. To date over 175 000 units have been sold in South Africa.
The production of the EA111 engines at the Uitenhage manufacturing factory started in 2010 - the same year the Polo Vivo and Polo, which also used the EA111 engines until June 2014, were launched in South Africa.
"Nearly 70% of the engines that we will produce in 2015 will be exported to our international manufacturing factories in China, Malaysia, India and Mexico. In the past few years, we have invested in new technology and people to ensure that our Engine Plant can meet the growth demand and adhere to the Volkswagen world class quality standards. Our Engine Plant is now capable of producing an engine every two minutes," said Thomas Schaefer, Managing Director of the Volkswagen Group South Africa.
