Volkswagen cemented its position as the most successful manufacturer in the history of the #CarsAwards when it collected no fewer than 6 out of 13 category wins, as well as the coveted Brand of the Year title, in the 2019/20 iteration of the leading automotive awards programme.

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The glittering presentation ceremony of the 5thannual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank was held at Kyalami recently.Widely regarded as South Africa’s most definitive automotive awards programme, which is exclusively supported by the country’s largest vehicle-finance provider, #CarsAwards hasbecome a highlight in the automotive calendar since itsinaugural event in 2016.

As the only brand to have won at least one #CarsAwardstrophyevery year since the programme began in 2015/16, Volkswagen dominated the 2019/20 event to increaseits total tally of category wins to no fewer than 16. However, Volkswagen topped it off by taking home the evening's biggest accolade:the Brand of the Year title (determined solely by market and customer data)for the first time.

ThePolo 1.0TSI Comfortline Autowas one of three Volkwagen derivatives to defend its category win from 2018/19.

“We are honoured with the vote of confidence and support from our customers. At Volkswagen, we pride ourselves with outstanding products and excellent customer service and winning 'Brand of the Year' is recognition of the great work being done by Volkswagen employees as well as the dealer network,” said Mike Glendinning, Volkswagen Group South Africa's sales and marketing director.

Volkswagen was representedby 7 derivativesin the final group of 39 vehicles. The Polo 1.0TSI Comfortline AutoandArteon 2.0TSI 4Motion R-Line successfully defended their titles in the Compact Hatchback and Business Class categories and theAmarok 3.0 V6 TDI Highline 4Motion sensationally sealed the 3rd consecutive win for Volkswagen in thehotly contested Leisure Double-Cab class.

Meanwhile, the Polo GTI won the Fun Hatchback category at its first attempt, theGolf GTI reclaimed the top spot in the Premium Hatchback categoryand, after being on sale in South Africa for only 5months, the T-Cross 1.0TSI Highline R-Line claimed its first #CarsAwards trophy for winning the Compact Family Car category.

TheArteon 2.0TSI 4Motion R-Linedefeated the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class to win the Business Class category.

“We are so proud of the Volkswagen wins at this year’s awards. For the locally-manufactured Polo and Polo GTI to defend and win their categories respectively, is great recognition for the Uitenhage plant. I am also very proud of the T-Cross, which continues to be a key player in the A0 SUV segment. Our premium brands, the Arteon and much-loved Golf GTI, also performed excellently. With the bakkie market being intensely competitive in South Africa, it is a terrific feat that the Amarok defended its title in this category for the third time,” concluded Glendinning.

Volkswagen's domination of the 2019/20 #CarsAwardsfollows a record-breaking 2019, in which the brand achieved a 20.4% passenger market share (the highest in 23 years)and the manufacturing plant in Uitenhage achieved an all-time record for production in a single year.

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