35 years of VW Polo: Zwickau factory celebrates success and raises concerns!

35 years of VW Polo: Zwickau factory celebrates success and raises concerns!

On June 21, 2025, the VW factory in Zwickau will celebrate a very special anniversary: ​​35 years ago, the first VW Polo rolled off the assembly line. The first Polo built was a hatchback with a 1.3 liter engine, 55 hp and in a bright Alpine white. Today the vehicle is considered a venerable museum piece and reminds many employees of the beginnings at the factory in the Mosel district, where Trabant models were once produced. While we look back on the successes, there are also critical voices about the current situation of the workforce. In this context, an employee commented that the days of working all night and laughing for the night shift are long gone. Some colleagues resigned due to harsh working conditions and short breaks, while others viewed the opportunities offered by night and extra shifts positively. Many describe the last 35 years as an exciting and fast journey through automotive history, marked by remarkable successes.

However, the celebration is also accompanied by uncertainties. As News38 reports, the current VW crisis is making employees worried about the future of the plant. Despite these challenges, a fierce optimism remains. Some employees collectively expressed that they still look forward to the future of the plant with hope. There are still orders and a general confidence that is reflected in the conversations.

The people behind the cars

Some of those who experienced Zwickau's problematic history are Jörn Kaiser and Udo Friedrich. Both are experienced mechanical engineers and body builders who assembled Trabant models in Zwickau and Meerane before reunification. They were also involved in the new beginning in the 90s, when they switched to modern VW engines for production purposes and the Polo was manufactured in Zwickau. As MDR reports, the plant has since changed through various ownership arrangements, including as a joint venture between VW and the Vehicle Construction Industry Association (IFA). In 2020, the plant transitioned fully to all-electric vehicles, which include models such as the ID.3, Audi Q4 e-tron and more.

Jörn and Udo assembled all models at VW Sachsen and experienced the change towards e-mobility first hand. While Jörn emphasizes that the mood among some colleagues regarding the future is not so good, Udo reports a positive trend: younger people are enthusiastic about the new electric models, while older generations are still sticking to classic combustion vehicles. An interesting observation that shows how opinions differ about the future of the mobile vehicle.

Turning points for the automotive industry

Viewed in a larger context, the developments at VW in Zwickau also show how much the entire automotive industry is at a turning point. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, the transport transition and climate goals are becoming more and more relevant. Mobility is indispensable for many people, but in urban areas the car is increasingly seen as outdated. The question of how the environmental situation can be improved poses a particular challenge for the automotive industry. The diesel scandal of 2015 reached a point where many questioned the social benefits of cars. The VW plant in Zwickau, with its long history, is now at the center of all these developments and has the opportunity to cleverly combine future and tradition.