Latest news with #T-Cross
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: VW Tera to be renamed to Tengo, Tavo, Tiva or Tion
South African public gets to choose the new name for the baby SUV to be built in Kariega. Volkswagen has given the public a choice between four names for the new compact SUV known as the VW Tera in Brazil it plans to build in Kariega. In sticking to its naming convention with all its SUV names starting with the letter T, the names on the table are Tengo, Tavo, Tiva and Tion. But what do these names mean? On this week's episode of the Pitstop podcast, we take a closer look at the four names. ALSO READ: Voting opens: Names for South Africa's VW Tera revealed VW Tera to be renamed According to the German carmaker, Tengo is defined as a 'rich cultural significance in African language and describes qualities like strength, resilience and purpose'. Moving on to Tavo, VW describes it as 'a gender-neutral word meaning good or beloved in Latin and also eight'. Tiva 'means nature in Hebrew and is also associated with vitality, life and energy', the carmaker says. Lastly, the name Tion 'signifies aesthetic appeal and evokes a sense of movement and change'. ALSO READ: What South Africa can expect: Volkswagen Tera detailed in Brazil Kariega plant upgrades The local version of the VW Tera will be built on the same A0 platform as the Polo and T-Cross. The VW assembly plant in Kariega recently underwent a R4-billion upgrade of 100 robots, conveyor belts in the final assembly area and enhancements to the body paint shops to gear up for the new SUV. Production is expected to start sometime next year. The Mzansi VW Tera is set to replace the T-Cross as Wolfburg's smallest SUV. The latter goes out of production next year. It is set to be replaced by the all-electric ID.2X in European markets. The Brazilian-built VW Tera and its sibling in Mzansi will then be offered exclusively for developing markets.
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Volkswagen's new compact SUV gears up for Africa, with a new name you can vote for
Volkswagen's new compact SUV gears up for Africa, with a new name you can vote for Volkswagen has been in the process of adding the Tera compact SUV to its global line-up, with assembly for a locally produced iteration scheduled to begin at its Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape by late 2026 or early 2027. The only caveat is that it won't be called the Tera here… Looking for a new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag! Last week, Volkswagen sold 12 000 Tera units in 50 minutes during its launch day in Brazil. The event spanned the extent of the country, across all Volkswagen dealerships, which generated millions of rands worth of revenue. Volkswagen Group Africa will want to replicate this success when it unveils the locally produced SUV across the continent, and has officially kicked off with a campaign to imbue the forthcoming model with a more appropriate name for the African market. The move is backed by a R4b investment and marks the brand's attempt to gain ground in the competitive entry-level SUV market. While the vehicle is known as the 'Tera' in other regions, Volkswagen South Africa has confirmed it will adopt a unique name for the local market. The company has opened a public poll to select from four shortlisted names: Tengo, Tavi, Tiva and Tion. Each name was chosen for its cultural or linguistic significance, and the final decision will reflect feedback from local voters. Place your vote here. Related: VW's Kariega Plant Will Pause Production in 2025 For R4 Billion Investment of Tera SUV The forthcoming model will be an alternative to the T-Cross, giving buyers a more affordable option in Volkswagen's SUV line-up. It's expected to compete with similarly priced models from brands like Renault Captur and Chery Tiggo 4, all of which have gained traction with budget-conscious buyers. Underneath, the SUV will use the same MQB-A0 platform as the Polo and T-Cross. That means it will likely share some design elements and interior tech, including Volkswagen's latest infotainment systems and digital driver displays. In terms of engines, the 1l, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit is expected to be the main option. Final pricing and full specifications will only be announced closer to the model's launch in 2027, but the local production and platform-sharing suggest Volkswagen is aiming for a competitive price point to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Volkswagen Hands Over To SA To Select Locally Produced SUV's Name appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VW plant Kariega enters next phase for production of new SA-built crossover
Volkswagen's Plant Kariega in the Eastern Cape has entered the next phase in preparation for production of the third SA-built model. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! As Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) continues to prepare Plant Kariega for production of its third South African-built model, the automaker has announced the Eastern Cape-based assembly facility has entered the commissioning phase for the highly-anticipated entry-level compact crossover/SUV. Related: VW's Kariega Plant Will Pause Production in 2025 For R4 Billion Investment of Tera SUV This announcement comes after VWGA halted production at Plant Kariega earlier in 2024 (from April 14 to May 12) to complete the upgrades, notably to the body shop, paint shop and final assembly areas, made to the manufacturing line in December 2024. Noteworthy, with the aforementioned upgrades completed, production of the Polo Vivo and Polo has returned to normal, while the commissioning phase is carried out over the weekends. The latter phase comprises the processes of bringing the new equipment online and carrying out the necessary checks to ensure it operates optimally. Related: VW Finally Unveils New SA-built Compact Crossover Built alongside the aforementioned two cars, the automaker's upcoming product will serve as the opening gambit to the company's local crossover/SUV portfolio, which currently comprises the Polo-based T-Cross and Taigo, T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg. Positioned below the T-Cross, the Tera — as it is named in Brazil, where it is also manufactured — will officially be introduced in 2027. Locally, however, this model will be known by a different yet unannounced name. The German marque's SA arm has, however, confirmed that its moniker won't necessarily adhere to its 'T' naming convention. Related: Polo Production Halts at Kariega for Tooling of New A0 SUV VWGA production director Ulrich Schwabe said: 'We are happy to be back to normal production, with the knowledge that we are one step closer to our future of building three models in our plant.' Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles with CARmag! The post VW Plant Kariega Enters Next Phase for Production of New SA-built Crossover appeared first on CAR Magazine.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Volkswagen SA's locally produced entry-level SUV now a step closer: here's what to expect
The new Volkswagen Tera, to be marketed with a different name locally, will be positioned below the T-Cross. Image: Supplied Volkswagen South Africa is gearing up to build a brand new entry-level SUV at its production plant in Kariega, Eastern Cape. The new model is now a step closer to reality following a recent plant upgrade that saw the facility halt production of its existing Polo and Polo Vivo models for four weeks. VWSA said 60% of the preparation work for the new SUV product had taken place during the December 2024 shutdown period, while the most recent shutdown, from April 14 to May 12, saw the remaining 40% of upgrades being implemented. This included the programming of robots in the paint shop, completing all installations in the Body Shop, and modifying conveyors in the Final Assembly area. This means the production of the new 'AO SUV Entry' project, as it's called, has now entered the commissioning phase, with remaining work set to take place in order to prevent any further production disruptions. VWSA said it was working closely with their colleagues in Volkswagen of Brazil to develop, build and launch this new model. It is believed that the AO SUV Entry product will be closely based on the Brazilian-developed Volkswagen Tera, albeit with a few modifications for the African market. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The Tera was designed and developed in Brazil, but will be adapted for the SA market. Image: Supplied It is also set to receive a new name for our market, which reportedly will be determined through a public vote. The new entry SUV is closely related to the current Polo, formed around Volkswagen's MQB-AO platform, but featuring unique body panels and interior components. South African specifications will be announced closer to launch, but for what it's worth, the Brazilian model is offered with a choice of normally aspirated and turbocharged 1.0 TSI petrol engines, culminating in the 85kW version also seen in the Polo. plied The interior bears some resemblance to the latest Tiguan and T-Cross models. Image: Supplied It is likely, however, that SA's entry-level models will be powered by the current 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre MPI normally aspirated engines, as they are locally produced. It's too early to speculate on pricing, but VWSA has previously stated that it will slot beneath the T-Cross, which currently starts at R399,900.
TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
VW's Kariega plant enters next phase of new budget SUV production
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has completed the latest round of production facility upgrades at its Kariega plant as it moves forward with preparations to manufacture a third vehicle model from 2027. The new model, a compact A0 SUV known as the Tera in Brazil, will join the Polo and Polo Vivo on the production line. Built on the same chassis as the Polo, the Tera is positioned below the T-Cross in Volkswagen's global SUV line-up. Plans to produce it locally were announced in February during the VW Indaba media event. The vehicle will adopt a different moniker when it goes on sale, with VW planning to open a naming campaign across the African continent in the coming months. By the end of 2024, about 60% of the required production upgrades had been completed during the plant's December shutdown. The remaining 40% was addressed during a planned production pause from April 14 to May 12 this year. This included final work in the body shop, paint shop and final assembly areas. Specific tasks involved:
