35 years of VW Polo: Memories and challenges at the Zwickau plant

35 years of VW Polo: Memories and challenges at the Zwickau plant

What's going on in Zwickau? A very special anniversary is being celebrated! The first VW Polo rolled off the assembly line at the VW plant in Zwickau 35 years ago, and the historical roots of this success go back to the post-war period. From the first Polo, designed in Alpine white with a 1.3 liter engine and 55 hp, which is now considered a true museum piece, to the electrification of today's models - the changes have been enormous.

“Our hearts were in it,” says one employee, describing his career at the Zwickau car dealership, highlighting the passion of the workforce. Many people remember the beginnings in the Mosel district, when VW entered into a collaboration with the Vehicle Construction Industry Association (IFA). At that time, not only the first Polos but also the legendary Trabant models were assembled. Jörn Kaiser and Udo Friedrich, who both worked in production, talk about their careers. You were already working at VEB Sachsenring and had the opportunity to take part in the new beginning in Zwickau in 1990, when the Polo and the Trabant 1.1 with VW engines were manufactured. Jörn notes that the mood among colleagues is mixed about the future, but orders are already in place.

A look back and forward

The plant in Zwickau has an eventful history. Series production of Volkswagen began in 1945, and over the decades the company has developed into an important symbol of the German economic miracle. The Polo, like other models such as the Golf and Passat, experienced a great upswing and has continued to develop to this day. From its beginnings with wooden boxes full of parts from the West to modern manufacturing techniques, Volkswagen has repeatedly demonstrated a knack for innovation.

After all, only fully electric vehicles have been manufactured in Zwickau since 2020, including popular models such as ID.3 and ID.4. Udo emphasizes that younger generations are accepting the new electric cars well, while older colleagues often still stick to classic combustion engines.

Challenges and optimism

What's next for the VW workforce in Zwickau? Despite uncertain times due to the current VW crisis, employees are optimistic about the future. “We have experienced ups and downs, but hope lives on,” says a colleague. Conversations about salary issues and working conditions are omnipresent, and some memories of the tough shifts shape the later thinking of employees. “Intimidated by the sheer numbers, we were often laughed at,” reports one of the older employees. But the core – the love of cars – remains unchanged.

In this sense, it is important to celebrate the past and look to the future with courage. The production of the VW Polo is more than just an anniversary; it is a symbol of change and the adaptability of a company that tirelessly adapts to the pulse of the times. Despite all the discussions, it is clear: the heart of Zwickau production continues to beat strongly.

VW Sachsen GmbH was founded in December 1990, and the years of collaboration show how closely the Volkswagen brand is linked to local roots. With its ambitious focus on electromobility and digitalization, VW not only remains a long-established company, but is also developing in a future-oriented manner. It remains to be seen what the next 35 years will bring.

For more information about Volkswagen's impressive history, you can visit Volkswagen Newsroom or read more about the current situation at the Zwickau plant on MDR.

For many employees, the Zwickau plant remains a place of hope and progress, even if the challenges, especially in the area of ​​e-mobility, should not be underestimated. A good reason to continue working with a lot of passion!