VW's FactoryTour vehicle enhances experience, safety

The FactoryTour vehicle transporting visitors through Volkswagen's manufacturing plant in Uitenhage.

Image: www.quickpic.co.za

The Volkswagen FactoryTour vehicle was launched in June 2013, allowing visitors to rest their feet, sit back and enjoy the ride whilst witnessing the intricate manufacturing process of the current best-selling passenger cars in South Africa, Polo Vivo and Polo.

The FactoryTour vehicle, which was custom built by two Volkswagen Motorsport employees, has ensured a much-improved tour experience by comfortably accommodating 21 people per tour. Since June 2013, over 400 FactoryTours have exposed a variety of visitors to the factory.

Visitors - which include school groups, students, foreign and local tourists - have not only enjoyed sight-seeing inside the factory, but have also experienced VWSA's popular heritage centre, the AutoPavilion.

The AutoPavilion - place of cars and legends - takes visitors through a journey of Volkswagen's history in South Africa. The museum also features a collection of cars, including unique vehicles, high-tech prototypes and record breaking cars. Highlights include a cut-through Volkswagen Beetle that opens and closes, the 1954 imported Kombi of Baron Klaus von Oertzen (the father of Volkswagen South Africa), the last Volkswagen Citi Golf, the last Beetle manufactured in the Uitenhage plant, as well as 27 static and graphic displays and over 20 interactive exhibits.

"The introduction of the FactoryTour vehicle has been helpful in speeding up the factory tours especially with the senior citizens that sometimes struggle to walk around the factory," explained AutoPavilion manager, Buyile Gqubule.

"Another benefit is that it has also allowed us to reduce the minimum tour age to eight years due to the improved safety of being transported in the FactoryTour vehicle."

The FactoryTours take place on Mondays to Thursdays at 9am and 12noon. On Friday, there is only one tour at 9am. Bookings can be made through the Volkswagen AutoPavilion on +27 (0)41 994 5941/3. The FactoryTour includes the tour of the AutoPavilion, where some of the Volkswagen South Africa classic cars are on display.