VWSA produces the new Polo for all right-hand drive markets globally, as well as the CrossPolo for all right-hand and left-hand drive markets in the world.

VWSA corporate and government affairs director Nonkqubela Maliza said on Tuesday that exports should reach 74 000 cars for the year, up from last year's 19 000 units.

"If it wasn't for the strike, this would have been in excess of 75 000 units," she indicated at a media breakfast.

She said VWSA's Uitenhage plant had lost roughly 4 000 units of production (for the local and exports markets) during the industry-wide, eight-day strike by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, which had been wrapped up only last week.

"We can make up some of these units, but not all of them," said Maliza.

She added that the strike had not dented the German car giant's faith in its South African operation, but possibly raised questions about the broader economic stability of South Africa.

VWSA produced the Polo Vivo for the local market, the new Polo for all right-hand drive markets globally, as well as the CrossPolo for all right-hand and left-hand drive markets in the world.

Maliza noted that the popularity of the new Polo had ensured that VWSA had also secured export unit orders for the left-hand drive Chinese and German markets.

She added that VWSA's export success came as the result of a multiyear, multibillion-rand strategy for the company to become a large volume exporter, as well as the passenger segment market leader in South Africa, with both of these goals now achieved

Volkswagen of South Africa (VWSA) would see exports jump exponentially this year.