VWSA plant marks major events

VOLKSWAGEN South Africa celebrated a major milestone last week when it produced its two-millionth engine built at the Uitenhage plant since the start of production in 1978. Friday also marked another special landmark for the motor company which constructed the 500000th EA111 engine, an engine used in the Polo and Polo Vivo. The first EA111 engine was produced in 2010. VWSA has set a target of 175000 EA111 engines this year, of which 77% are destined to be exported, according to the head of the company's engine plant, Richard Reid. Volkswagen's international customers include manufacturing factories in China, India, Malaysia, Taiwan and Mexico. "Last year in September we introduced a fourth shift in the engine plant which increased the production capacity from 147000 to 175000 engines. "The bolstering of production was due to the high demand from the Chinese market," Reid said. New technology has been introduced over the years to increase production growth. VWSA's managing director David Powels said the improvements had enabled the company to produce an engine every two minutes. "The introduction of the new technology and enhancement of our production processes has ensured we continually improve our products for both the local and international markets," Powels said. - Herald Reporter