The AutoPavilion, Place of Cars and Legends, first opened doors in 2004, the result of a need for a modern, state-of-the art heritage centre to replace the existing museum that housed the Company's old vehicles.

The multi-million rand attraction is unique as it is the only automobile discovery centre on the continent and only the fifth worldwide.

Volkswagen of South Africa's high-tech, interactive expo and heritage centre takes you on a full-throttle journey from concept to classic, laser to legend, with the cars that defined the past and inspire the future.

Featuring state of the art technology and unprecedented interactivity, the AutoPavilion in Uitenhage proudly showcases the evolution of the VW brand from the very first Beetle to the contemporary passenger and sports cars of today. Travel the world in an interactive "movie studio" Beetle complete with green screen technology, rub shoulders with icons of yesteryear such as Herbie or South Africa's oldest kombi, or simply watch in amazement as a car (sliced by a laser) folds in half. WIth amazing special effects and stunning interactive displays, the AutoPavilion provides the ultimate in edutainment.

---

Volkswagen AutoPavilion hits 200 000 visitors

One lucky person was taken by surprise when she unknowingly became the 200 000th visitor to the AutoPavilion – Volkswagen of South Africa's popular heritage centre. This figure was reached on Wednesday 28 April 2010. This was almost exactly six years after opening next to the factory entrance in Uitenhage. Also known as the "Place of cars and legends", it is still the only automobile discovery centre on the continent and only the fifth in the world.

A happy Ms Avril Muller from Uitenhage who also had her 26th birthday the day before, received a gift voucher of R1 000 to spend in the AutoPavilion boutique.

Volkswagen opened the doors of this architectural masterpiece in March 2004, investing millions in creating a unique museum to capture Volkswagen's heritage. Since then, school groups, students, foreign and local tourists have been arriving in droves. On average around 3000 visitors a month came to enjoy the nostalgia, high technology and edutainment the AutoPavilion offers. Combined with a fascinating factory tour twice a day, it soon became one of Uitenhage's most popular tourist attractions and a 'must see' for all car enthusiasts. The 200 000 milestone was reached in only six years.

During school holidays and over the festive season the figures rises significantly. The AutoPavilion features a nostalgic as well as a high –tech collection of cars, including unique vehicles, prototypes and record breaking cars. Other highlights include 27 static and graphic displays and over 20 interactive exhibits.

A lot of the interactive exhibits are designed to entertain while educating – a science now called edutainment. This makes the AutoPavilion also a very worthwhile place to visit by thousands of school children. Such exhibits include brainteasers, quizzes testing your general knowledge, hands free screens show casing the VW Global Group, and much much more.

This distinctive building has been featured in architectural magazines. The interior design and exhibits have been carefully planned and orchestrated with internationally experienced exhibition designers working closely with the AutoPavilion's management and curator.

The AutoPavilion is open weekdays from 08:30 – 16:00 and on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 13:00. Factory tours must be pre-booked by e-mailing autopavilion@vwsa.co.za or by calling 041 9945941.

---

Citi Mk1 Limited Edition - the final chapter in the life of the iconic Citi

Volkswagen of South Africa is paying homage to the original Golf 1, with the introduction of a final limited edition Citi, aptly branded, Citi Mk1. Only 1000 of these collectors' cars will find their way into the hands of motoring enthusiasts in South Africa and around the world.

The introduction of Citi Mk1 to the Citi range is a fitting gesture to send off and close the final chapter of the best-ever selling hatchback in South African motoring history. Citi has provided South African motorists with a fun, unique, affordable driving package for 25 years. It has defied all marketing textbook theories on the lifecycle of a brand. Citi will remain a legend for decades to come.

Since 1978, when the Golf 1 was launched in South Africa, Volkswagen of South Africa has produced 377 484 Citi's and a total of 517 384 A1 Golfs (including the Citi's). The Volkswagen of South Africa plant in Uitenhage has been the only plant in the Volkswagen Group to have continued building the legendary A1 Golf in the guise of the Citi Brand.

Citi made its first appearance on South African roads in 1984, six years after Golf 1 was introduced in South Africa. Volkswagen of South Africa launched the Citi as its affordable car to compete in the entry level segment following the introduction of a bigger and more expensive Golf 2 - the "Jumbo" Golf as it became affectionately known.

For 25 years, the Citi range has continuously been refreshed and kept alive with innovative, appealing special and limited editions such as the Designa, CTI, Deco, Sonic, Wolf, Bafana Bafana, R Line, Xcite, Billabong and most recently the GTS.

The latest and last limited edition of the Citi range, the Citi Mk1, is offered with the 1.6i engine which has a power output of 74kW at 5400rpm.

The Citi Mk1 is fitted with 15-inch, gunmetal painted alloy wheels and will have a polished exhaust tailpipe, dark taillights, double headlights and chrome highlight around grille. On the sides, it will have GT-styled stripes in chrome foil.

The interior has sport seats with partial leather, leather steering wheel, the original golf ball gear knob, floor mats with Mk1 logo and red stitching detail throughout.

Citi Mk1 will only be available in two colours, Black and Shadow Blue metallic.

Only 1000 units will be available and each will have a unique number - from 1 to 1000 - which will be embossed on the passenger side dashboard and integrated into the uniquely designed exterior Mk1 logo.

Like other Citi models, Citi Mk1 comes with the standard 3 year/120 000km warranty.

Volkswagen AutoMotion maintenance and service plans are optional.

Citi Mk1 retail price is R113 500 (VAT included).

Citi bids farewell to South Africa

Two of the last produced Citi Mk1 units will join other Volkswagen Classic cars that are on permanent display at the Autostadt, the Volkswagen Group Museum and Brand Expo in Wolfsburg, Germany and at the Volkswagen AutoPavillion Brand heritage centre in Uitenhage.

At the Volkswagen of South Africa production plant in Uitenhage, it was an emotional day for the employees when the last Citi, Citi Mk1 001, rolled off the production line to mark the official end of the A1 production. Thousands of employees attended a special event to bid farewell and pay tribute to the legend and the people who have been crafting the A1 (Citi and Golf 1) by hand for more than 30 years. Over 120 employees, who are still employed by Volkswagen of South Africa, have worked for more than 20 years on the A1 production line.

Meanwhile, a Goodbye Tour to the Citi will kick off on 12 November 2009 in Uitenhage and will end on 22 November 2009, back at the home of Citi in Uitenhage. The tour will take the limited edition Citi Mk1 across the country with major stopovers in Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. At each city or town where Citi Mk1 will stop, the local public will be invited to make their mark on the car that has made its mark on so many people in South Africa by signing the last Citi ever produced.

A special website for the Goodbye Citi Tour, www.goodbyeciti.co.za will be created for the Citi fans and the public to follow the route and daily activities of this very special Citi Mk1 across South Africa. The video footage and photos captured each day will be posted onto the website.

Citi fans will also be invited to post their own farewell messages and tributes to the icon through social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.