Citi Golf Retiring

[VWCrazy]

Johannesburg - After 25 years of production, Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) is retiring its iconic budget hatchback Citi Golf.

The Citi is a South Africa-only model and over its lifetime more than 377 000 units found owners. Together with sales of the first Golf model (the A1) on which the Citi is based, more than 517 000 vehicles have been produced on the same platform in Uitenhage since 1978.

The Citi will be replaced by an as yet unnamed entry-level product in the first quarter of 2010 However, VWSA MD David Powels said given the German manufacturer's global model line-up, the new vehicle would inevitably be priced higher than the R87 000 the Citi is retailing at. The original Citi cost R6 700 at launch.

VW Brazil produces two cheap vehicles, the Gol and the Fox (VWSA briefly produced a CitiGolf with a boot called the Fox), which could be destined for these shores. The last Citi rolled off the assembly line on August 21 and, with 90% local content, was a true SA original.

VWSA is busy with a major retooling of its Uitenhage plant to cater for two model line-ups. Powels said the decision to halt production was not due to a lack of consumer demand. However, a lack of economies of scale and rising costs meant the CitiGolf was becoming commercially unviable.

Consumer expectations with regard to vehicle sophistication also played a role - the Golf A1 platform was unable to adapt fully to latest safety features, emission standards and design.

No overnight success

The CitiGolf wasn't an instant success. When the more expensive Golf II replaced the A1 in 1984, VWSA had to come up with a way of continuing its presence in the entry-level segment.

It initially came up with an Econo Golf, a cheap model based on the A1. VWSA execs at the time realised at the time that Econo was drab (especially dressed up in Kalahari Beige), unimaginative and wouldn't sell.

It was up to a group of young advertisers and designers to come up with something fresh and new that would appeal to a younger set of buyers.

The new Citi concept was presented to the VW board at headquarters by the then-VWSA chief Peter Searle. What came as a surprise to local executives, the radical project was given the nod by the conservative German car maker.

In 1984 the Dutch painter Piet Mondrean was the inspiration for red, blue and yellow models to hit showrooms. They proved to be a great success - despite management's predictions of a maximum 300 units per month and a projected lifespan of three years.

One of those working on the first Citigolf was designer clothing retailer Jenni Button, who also designed the clothes used in the ad campaigns for the first model.

VWSA said a limited edition of 1 000 units called the Mk1 will go on sale at R113 000 to mark the exit of the brand. One of these will be displayed permanently at Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.

[Chris]

Translated:

Johannesburg - After 25 years of production, Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) is retiring its iconic budget hatchback Citi Golf.

We'll be stopping the cheaply built,over-priced car at last.


The Citi is a South Africa-only model and over its lifetime more than 377 000 units found owners. Together with sales of the first Golf model (the A1) on which the Citi is based, more than 517 000 vehicles have been produced on the same platform in Uitenhage since 1978.

They are 4king everywhere!



The Citi will be replaced by an as yet unnamed entry-level product in the first quarter of 2010 However, VWSA MD David Powels said given the German manufacturer's global model line-up, the new vehicle would inevitably be priced higher than the R87 000 the Citi is retailing at. The original Citi cost R6 700 at launch.

NOW you're going to get ripped off!!



VW Brazil produces two cheap vehicles, the Gol and the Fox (VWSA briefly produced a CitiGolf with a boot called the Fox), which could be destined for these shores. The last Citi rolled off the assembly line on August 21 and, with 90% local content, was a true SA original.

They might be cheap there,but here you WILL pay more!

VWSA is busy with a major retooling of its Uitenhage plant to cater for two model line-ups. Powels said the decision to halt production was not due to a lack of consumer demand. However, a lack of economies of scale and rising costs meant the CitiGolf was becoming commercially unviable.

We were not making enough money off you suckers and with all the money we made off the Golf 1,we can afford to build a new lines........CASH! Hahahaha!

Consumer expectations with regard to vehicle sophistication also played a role - the Golf A1 platform was unable to adapt fully to latest safety features, emission standards and design.

Power steering,electric windows and airbags are too sophisticated for that cheapskate car!

No overnight success

The CitiGolf wasn't an instant success. When the more expensive Golf II replaced the A1 in 1984, VWSA had to come up with a way of continuing its presence in the entry-level segment.

We knew we had to make more money,so we used the car that already paid for itself,and you guys bought it! Bigtime!

It initially came up with an Econo Golf, a cheap model based on the A1. VWSA execs at the time realised at the time that Econo was drab (especially dressed up in Kalahari Beige), unimaginative and wouldn't sell.

Hehe,it was worse than the original Golf.

It was up to a group of young advertisers and designers to come up with something fresh and new that would appeal to a younger set of buyers.

R20 million later,and 4 months of overtime,we changed the badge.

The new Citi concept was presented to the VW board at headquarters by the then-VWSA chief Peter Searle. What came as a surprise to local executives, the radical project was given the nod by the conservative German car maker.

"What is that!!?? We've never seen that before,build it!!"

In 1984 the Dutch painter Piet Mondrean was the inspiration for red, blue and yellow models to hit showrooms. They proved to be a great success - despite management's predictions of a maximum 300 units per month and a projected lifespan of three years.

One of those working on the first Citigolf was designer clothing retailer Jenni Button, who also designed the clothes used in the ad campaigns for the first model.

You consumers darem!! A bit of paint and a couple of girls in fancy clothes,and you will buy anything.

VWSA said a limited edition of 1 000 units called the Mk1 will go on sale at R113 000 to mark the exit of the brand. One of these will be displayed permanently at Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Look,look! Another R20 mil and another badge change,and you dumbasses will pay R13k more!!

[Pine]

The last Citi ever rolled off the production line today, it was on the news tonight

[karmakoma]

Dont know if I should feel happy or sad. End of an era, loved my CITI. But about time....


and

LOL @ Chris

You have too much free time

[bugspray]

Masterfull Chris. Hahaha. End of an era, but not the end of the citi. It will become our childrens,childrens childrens beetles.

[VWCrazy]

Ja i love my citi golf

And Chris, shouldn't you be working on the SC?

[dsan]

Chris that was brilliant, thanks!

[Hloni]

Like it or not, this cab is a legent. One can build a Golf from chasis up by buying panels at a local spares, both 'original' and pirate panels!!
Will the CITI ever die? Perhaps we can ask whether will Uhuru ever come to pass.

Will I be seen in one? Eish...

[karmakoma]

Do I sense a bit of WCVW hate Chris ?

[MINCE]

Johannesburg - After 25 years of production, Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) is retiring its iconic budget hatchback Citi Golf.

YAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!

[Skymac]

Pine, what do you mean..... it Was on the news Tonight

[bugspray]

It was on tv news the other night, they showed the last citi rolling of the prod.line, think it was a white or blue one....

[calooker]

Love it or hate it (much like the beetle) I think the Golf 1 is now more popular than ever, after the beetle it's the most customised and modified and will continue to be so even after we are all gone.

[buggyfan]

theres even a site now to wish the citi farewell

http://www.goodbyeciti.co.za/#/Intro


ill stick with mine a little longer

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[Chris]

Saw a Citi Golf yesterday at the Auto Pavilion in Uitenhage.

There was nothing strange about it looks like a normal Citi.But when you look inside,it has leather seats and the gearknob says it has 6 forward gears.(??)

Then you look under the bonnet and there is a 200kw Audi engine in it.Apparantly this think is a monster to handle.It torque steers like a bitch and rips the steering out your hands in every gear.