35 years of VW Polo in Zwickau: success story and new challenges!

35 years of VW Polo in Zwickau: success story and new challenges!

The VW factory in Zwickau is celebrating a remarkable anniversary: ​​35 years ago, the first Polo rolled off the assembly line - a model that had a significant impact on the region's automotive history. The first VW Polo built in Zwickau was a hatchback with a 1.3 liter engine and 55 hp in bright alpine white, which is now considered a museum piece. Memories of the early days of the plant in the Mosel district awaken nostalgic feelings among many employees. In addition to the Polo, the popular Trabant models were also manufactured here, which during their heyday were known to many as “the car of the GDR”.

Jörn Kaiser and Udo Friedrich, two old hands at the VW factory, looked back with nostalgia at the beginning. Before the fall of the Wall, they worked at VEB Sachsenring and, among other things, assembled the Trabis. “We wanted to be part of the new beginning in Zwickau,” says Udo. The steam between tradition and modern rethinking is clearly noticeable by both of them. Jörn grumpy: “The mood among some colleagues is not good, but there are orders.” People remain optimistic about the production of electric vehicles.

The change in automobile production

Since 2020, the Zwickau factory has radically changed its focus and now exclusively produces fully electric vehicles, including models such as the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and even the Audi Q4 e-tron. This decision joins the growing trend towards electromobility, which, according to the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), has reached a tipping point. In 2020, there were around 360,000 new registrations of electric vehicles in Germany, and the market share of electric vehicles rose dramatically to 12.6 percent.

Although the future of e-mobility looks promising, a feeling of uncertainty remains. Jörn and Udo saw how production developed from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles. While the younger generation is enthusiastic about the new models, many older colleagues are sticking to combustion vehicles. “There is a real generational change here,” says Udo, describing the current situation.

Challenges and optimism

However, the success of the Zwickau plant is not only celebrated by the employees. The company's history is filled with ups and downs, and many employees remember the harsh working conditions. In the past, night shifts were pitied and some people quit because of the short breaks and the pressure. Nevertheless, many employees said that their hearts were attached to this plant: “It was always a good West car,” is how an older colleague describes the passion they put into their work.

In view of the current challenges in the automotive industry, which arise primarily from the VW crisis, the workforce remains optimistic: “The factory will also exist in the future” - this belief reflects the fighting spirit that can be felt within the walls of the Zwickau factory. Despite all the uncertainty and discussions surrounding salaries and working conditions, employees stand together and look forward to a changing industry with confidence.

Overall, the anniversary not only highlights the successes of the VW plant in Zwickau, but also the necessary change in the automotive industry, which is being driven forward by e-mobility. The work therefore not only represents tradition, but also a future-oriented approach in a constantly changing world.

Read more about the anniversary celebrations and the details of the story News38 and MDR as well as about e-mobility ecomento.