PoloDriver

The sixth race weekend of the Volkswagen Polo Cup South Africa at Zvartkops on 17-18 September saw Kosie Weyers take victory in the first round after starting from pole position, while championship defender Mathew Hodges settled for fourth place. It was a reversal of fortunes in the second race, though, as Hodges clinched first place, with Weyers coming in behind him. The high-position finishes mean that 23 year-old Hodges (above) continues to extend his lead in the championship standings of the popular Volkswagen one-make cup. Round 8 of the Volkswagen Polo Cup South Africa is on 1-3 October at Killarney. The 2010 Volkswagen Polo Cup South Africa series is similar to the other racing Polo championships run in Europe and India. Just as in those series, the one-make format highlights new young driving talent. As many as 30 drivers regularly take to the track in technically identical cars, full grids ensure close-fought races.

The entry-level Volkswagen in South Africa, the Polo Vivo, retained its crown as the best-selling passenger car brand in August 2010, with 2958 units finding homes. In addition, 1236 fifth-generation New Polos were sold. ‘Despite the eight-day motor industry strike last month, Volkswagen of South Africa continued to dominate the passenger car market with 19.4% share and total sales of 6527 units. We are still very encouraged by the reaction from the market to our new uniquely South African entry-level Polo Vivo,’ said Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen of South Africa.

A total of 33,541 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa during August 2010. Total new passenger car sales in August, including sales not reported in detail to trade body NAAMSA, increased by 14.8% when compared to July 2010, and by 49.6% when compared to August 2009, bringing the year-to-date August market in 2010 to a level 31.4% above the same period for 2009. Significantly, the Volkswagen Group’s passenger car sales year-to-date, are 37.6% ahead of the same period in 2009 – stronger than the market’s 31.4%.

‘New passenger car sales performed strongly in August recording the largest monthly market since January 2008 with the selling rate of new cars per day reaching levels last experienced in October 2007. While August is traditionally a relatively good month for new passenger car sales, the exceptional buoyancy of the market in August 2010 can in all probability be ascribed to a combination of seasonally strong demand from rental car companies and a buy ahead of the introduction of the CO2 vehicle emissions tax on 1 September 2010. It is estimated that the introduction of the CO2 vehicle emissions tax will result in an increase of new vehicle pricing of 2.5% on average,’ added Glendinning.

Following on from its junior hot hatch group test starring role in the July 2010 issue of CAR, the new Polo GTI has recently been given a full workout for the magazine’s website. The arrival of the 178bhp performance-orientated Polo seems to have been delayed with extended build dates reported, as well as a shortage of dealer stock, but it should hopefully be worth the wait. CAR reports that although ‘Volkswagen’s new Polo GTI is a very competent car, its rivals are raucous and delightful, or chic and stylish, and the VW seems to ignore both camps and offer something more refined.’ So it may be no firecracker like the red hot Renaultsport Clio 200 (or the even more extreme and on-edge ‘Cup’ versions), but what’s wrong with that? Volkswagen GTIs have always offered refinement and classless practically with a sporting edge, and the latest Polo GTI, at first glance at least, seems to continue that tradition.

According to the latest batch of figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK new car registrations fell again in August, as widely predicted. However, ahead of the ‘60’ plate change, the market remains up 13.2% over the first eight months of 2009, but with figures down 17.5 % last month, we’re pleased to report that the Polo remains in the UK’s top-sellers list. In ninth place, the fifth-generation car charts at the same position as in July, selling 1193 units. The Polo’s long-standing rival, the Ford Fiesta continues to be top of the August charts, with 2260 units sold, in what is traditionally the lowest-selling month for new cars due to the 1 September plate change.

‘New car registrations were down 17.5% in August and conditions will remain challenging through the rest of the year,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. ‘The industry enjoyed a better than expected first half of the year and, despite the difficulties, SMMT is forecasting that new car registrations will close just ahead of 2009 figures.’ Diesel cars still outsold petrol models, with 29,111 derv-burners shifted, compared to 25,505 petrol-powered models. Turned into year-to-date figures, the numbers make even more interesting reading; petrol models are still ahead with 709,151 units sold, compared to 576,627 diesel cars.

The UK’s top 10 best-selling cars for August 2010 and the year-to-date (total sales figure and position in brackets) are as follows:

1 Ford Fiesta: 2260 units (66,863, 1st)
2 Ford Focus: 1926 units (54,448, 2nd)
3 Vauxhall Astra: 1906 units (53,449, 3rd)
4 Vauxhall Corsa: 1629 units (51,447, 4th)
5 BMW 3 Series: 1600 units (25,849, 8th)
6 Volkswagen Golf: 1511 units (37,171, 5th)
7 Nissan Qashqai: 1456 units (24,836, 10th)
8 Vauxhall Insignia: 1193 units
9 Volkswagen Polo: 1193 units (30,574, 6th)
10 Audi A3: 1037 units

(The 2010 year-to-date best-sellers absent from August’s sales figures were the Peugeot 207 selling 27,880 units in 7th place, and the Mini with 25,189 units, placing it 9th overall.)

The best-selling car brand in South Africa now has another reason to stay at the top of the charts. The Polo Vivo now comes with air-conditioning as standard, with the exception of the 1.4-litre 74bhp three-door base model hatchback. ‘The new Polo Vivo is manufactured in South Africa exclusively for South African motorists. In fact, local content levels in the new Polo Vivo now exceed 70% – illustrating the true South African colours of the Polo Vivo. The inclusion of air conditioning as standard throughout the range should make the Polo Vivo proposition to South African motorists even more enticing,’ said Mike Glendinning, Director Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa. Prices of the air-conditioning equipped Polo Vivo hatchback and sedan ranges from 1 September 2010 (including VAT and CO2 emissions tax) are detailed below.

Polo Vivo hatchback
1.4 3dr 74bhp, R104,065
1.4 5dr 74bhp, R116,065
1.4 5dr Trendline 84bhp, R127,465
1.6 5dr 104bhp, R142,320
1.6 5dr Trendline 103bhp, R150,320

Polo Vivo sedan
1.4 4dr 74bhp, R121,965
1.4 4dr Trendline 84bhp, R133,365
1.6 4dr 104bhp, R148,220
1.6 4dr Trendline 104bhp, R156,220