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

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

35 years ago, on May 21, 1990, the first Polo was manufactured at the VW factory in Zwickau. A small but important anniversary that the employees celebrate with pride and a little nostalgia. The first Polo, a hatchback with a 1.3 liter engine and 55 hp in alpine white, has now achieved museum piece status. This began the success story of a factory that has since produced not only Polos, but also other models such as the Golf and Passat. Trabant models were also produced in the early days, and many of the current employees fondly remember the humble beginnings in the Mosel district.

When the plant opened, it was a joint venture between Volkswagen and the Vehicle Construction Industry Association (IFA), which highlights the changes in the German automotive industry. Jörn Kaiser and Udo Friedrich, who both already worked at VEB Sachsenring, took action at the new beginning in Zwickau. There was still a close connection to the past back then, when employees received parts in wooden boxes from the West from which they assembled cars. “Our hearts were in it,” says one employee, summing up his passion for the work and looking to the future with optimism.

The change to e-mobility

However, a lot has changed in the last five years. Since 2020, the Zwickau factory has been modernized by exclusively producing fully electric vehicles, including models such as the ID.3 and ID.4. This shift is part of a larger trend in the automotive industry, which is currently at a tipping point. The switch to e-mobility presents both opportunities and challenges. Many employees are skeptical about what the future holds, especially older generations, while younger people are open to the new models. For Jörn and Udo, the generational change is an exciting but also challenging time.

While some employees threw in the towel due to harsh working conditions and short breaks, others are experiencing the positive change in the corporate culture. In the past, workers were laughed at when they started night shifts. Today there is a different perspective on the valuable work of employees that goes far beyond the assembly line.

Outlook for the future

Volkswagen plays a central role in the German economy and offers numerous jobs. Despite the current challenges, such as a downward trend in the industry, there are enough orders. “It remains to be seen how e-mobility will develop,” says Udo. The workforce remains hopeful for successful years to support Saxony's automotive tradition. The Zwickau plant is optimistic and ready for the multitude of new challenges that the future brings.

The evolutionary history of the automobile in Germany, starting with the first models from Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1886, shows that the fire of progress also burns at the Zwickau factory. At a time when cars are increasingly perceived as status symbols or expressions of individual freedom, the question remains: What will the car of the future look like? All of this is documented in the exciting chronicle of automobiles, which highlights the many ups and downs of the industry and reminds us of the responsibility that comes with this development.

A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of the VW plant in Zwickau over the past 35 years - here's to many more years of innovation and passionate collaboration!

You can find out more about this at News38, MDR and bpb.