The Tengo was showcased for the first time at events marking the anniversary of Volkswagen's South African manufacturing operations. It will become the third model in production at the Kariega plant.
The unveiling comes as Volkswagen celebrates the production of its first locally built vehicle, a Beetle, at the plant on 31 August 1951.
The Kariega plant, then operated by South African Motor Assemblers and Distributors (SAMAD), initially produced several brands, including Studebaker and Austin. The Beetle was followed by the Type 2 Kombi in 1955.
Volkswagenwerk in Germany acquired a controlling interest in the plant in 1956, making it the company's first production facility outside Germany. The operation was renamed Volkswagen of South Africa in 1966 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG in 1974.
The plant has since produced nearly 40 models, including the Beetle, Kombi, Golf, Audi, Citi Golf, Jetta, Polo and Polo Vivo.
More than 4.8 million vehicles have rolled off its production line, with more than three million built for the South African market.
Today, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) uses Kariega as a key production and export base. The plant is the sole producer of the Polo for export worldwide and also builds the Polo Vivo, South Africa's best-selling passenger car.
The addition of the Tengo will expand the plant's production line-up while supporting Volkswagen's plans to grow its presence across Africa.
VWGA, which adopted its current name in 2025, also serves as the headquarters for Volkswagen's Africa region, which includes assembly facilities in Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana.
Volkswagen's South African operations have also been involved in skills development and community initiatives over the decades. Since 1994, the company says it has invested approximately R800m in community projects through the Volkswagen Community Trust and other projects and partnerships.
The Tengo unveiling formed part of Volkswagen's 75th anniversary celebrations, which included a gala dinner in Kariega attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa and a full-day employee event on 1 September.
