UITENHAGE-BASED Volkswagen South Africa won the Car of the Year Award for the first time in its history when the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists awarded the Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI the highest car of the year title for 2003. Volkswagen South Africa's Managing Director Hans-Christian Maergner said it was indeed a great honour to receive the prestigious Wesbank Car of the Year Trophy for the Polo TDI and it appeared that the company's fortunes had changed in the new millennium. "It is important to recognise that this is not only a Polo - the car which we launched at the Auto Africa Motor Show in Johannesburg last year - but it is also a diesel. "The Polo TDI has taken the South African market by storm and we have been battling to keep up with demand. It has gone a long way to changing the perception of small diesel powered vehicles in this country. I can assure that that you will be hearing more about our growing range of diesel engines on offer to the South African public in the next few months. "Certainly, we believe that we will continue to build momentum well into the future,” he said. When the Polo range went on sale in South Africa in the final quarter of 2002 - comprising the Polo 1.4, Polo 1.6, Polo 1.6 Comfortline and the Polo 1.4 TDI - it brought to South Africa standards that are global in terms of performance, fuel economy, safety and quality of build. Its new styling cues embodies timeless lines, with new round headlights, short overhang and third side window in the C-pillar, all combining to give the new Polo a design statement that is typical of the Volkswagen ethos. Also featured as an option for the first time in South Africa is the availability of ordering Satellite Navigation in vehicles with engines 1600cc and below. Such an option was previously only available in more expensive German luxury models in this country.