Volkswagen Citi Golf here to stay!

The Citi Golf Brand, from relatively humble beginnings in 1985 of 3.500 sales, has grown in stature to record annual sales in 2005 of 27.900 units. 800% sales growth over a 20 year period is unheard of in the automotive industry for a single car brand!

Citi Golf, now in its 21st full year of sales in South Africa, continues to break records. With sales of over 3.000 Citi Golfs in August 2006, the previous single month sales record for Citi Golf was again shattered. This on the back of 2005 which was Citi Golf’s best sales year in its illustrious history!

Citi Golf has become an icon brand in South Africa. It has, over 21 years, represented outstanding value in a fun, exciting package. The South Africa motorist has voted for Citi Golf year on year and these votes don’t look like slowing up at all! Citi Golf is unique to South Africa

To further illustrate the success of Citi Golf in the entry segment, there were only four model types in this segment in 1994. In 2005, there were 20 different model types offered to the consumer in the entry segment. Despite this intense competition, Citi Golf achieved 20% share in this segment in 2005.

“There are many reasons for Citi Golf’s success over such a lengthy period. These include a consistently aggressive pricing strategy, constant innovation and new model introductions within the range, excellent resale values and low cost of ownership/running costs. All these factors have made Citi Golf the benchmark in the entry level category of new car ownership in South Africa.” commented Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing for Volkswagen of South Africa.

Not only has Citi Golf greatly appealed to the South African consumer, but also to rental companies and the Government. Citi Golf has presented excellent value to car rental companies for many years and in 2005, over 4.500 Citi Golfs were sold to the major rental companies in South Africa. Government departments across the country have voted for Citi Golf year in and year out. Approximatley 1.000 cars a year have been sold to Government in the past five years. The reason is quite obvious – Citi Golf presents outstanding value in a very reliable, fun to drive package. The Citi Golf success story continues unabated. Volkswagen of South Africa today displayed, for the first time, the prototype of a planned all new model to the Citi Golf range – The Citi 1.8iR. The 90kW, 1.8i engine in the new Citi R will offer the most affordable performance car on the South African market today. The all new Citi R package, currently at an advanced planning stage, includes a 3-spoke sport steering wheel with aluminium trim, silver dials, vents and sill, silver foot pedals, a rear spoiler and a fully integrated body kit.

Included in the planned package is a front loading CD MP3 player with four speakers, double exhaust, lowered suspension and 15 inch 6-spoke alloy wheels. Front sport seats and tinted glass all round are standard. As is the transponder immobiliser, child proof locks on rear doors and a remote central locking and alarm system.

The Citi 1.8iR will appeal to enthusiasts looking for a real performance package without compromising on specification, comfort and safety. In this regard, the Citi 1.8iR is equipped with a diagonally linked dual circuit hydraulic break system with red disc calipres and self adjusting rear drums. The planned all new Citi 1.8iR illustrates Volkswagen of South Africa’s confidence in the future of Citi Golf and its commitment to continuous innovation and enhancement of the range going into the future. The Citi 1.8iR will be launched to the public at Auto Africa at the end of October and should be available in Volkswagen Dealerships towards the end of 2006. Current indicative retail pricing is R118.000 (inclusive).

“Citi Golf has defied all marketing text books in terms of its success in South Africa over such a lengthy period. There is no doubt that Citi Golf will continue to challenge text book theory in the years to come. Citi Golf remains very much part of our future planning and our commitment to continue offering affordable entry level motoring to the South African consumer. In this regard, the Citi Golf range will meet South Africa’s 2008 emission legislation going forward.” said Mike Glendinning.