Volkswagen AutoPavillion, South Africa
Volkswagen AutoPavillion, South Africa
Volkswagen AutoPavillion, South Africa
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4.5
92 reviews
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Vorsters
Melkbosstrand, South Africa238 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
VW Museum & Factory– Uitenhage. When my wife phoned to make an appointment to visit the Volkswagen Museum & Factory she was told it is a 2-3 hour tour and it is for FREE. What a surprise to get things free these days. We were told to wear close shoes and be there at 9h00, when we arrived the tour guide knew exactly who we were and greeted us by the name. We saw a short video and then we were issued with safety equipment, a jacket, safety goggles and an earphones with receiver. We departed on foot to the factory. What an amazing 2-3 hours experience. We saw how Volkswagen Polo’s are built from the beginning to the end. The factory is fully mechanised with robots and an incredible computerised system. It was like seeing Robocop in action, seeing the advanced technology being used in the automobile manufacturing process. From welding parts together, forming the different sections of a car, putting the various sections in place, fixing the engine, seats, dashboard, wiring, fitting the windows, fitting the petrol tank, starting the car and driven off after all quality controls have been met. You can appreciate your Volkswagen after this tour. Afterwards we enjoyed the museum depicting the history of VW with old cars, racing cars and simulators you could drive, we enjoyed having fun and we have a lot of respect for racing drivers now. It was a full day’s entertainment and that for free. We can highly recommend a visit.
Written 15 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
butterflywlm
46 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
We planed our trip around visiting the Volksvagen Pavilion. It was closed! It is advertised as open on the first Saturfay of every month. We did phone in advance, but there were no answer, nor informative electronic message to advise us it would be closed. We traveled quite a distance and were very disappointed. Volkswagen Pavilion, you have to keep your potential visitors informed.
Written 4 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jurrien P
Amsterdam, The Netherlands67 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We came here you do the factory tour, but it has recently (i.e as of July 31 2017) been suspended until 2018 due to construction works inside the factory. We have not gone into the museum.
Written 16 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Midlifetourist
Chorley, UK344 contributions
Sept 2019
The collection of cars at VW Autopavillion is superb, with some real historical treasures, including a stunning 1950s camper van. We chose to spend a couple of hours around the exhibition, before going on the factory tour, which needs to be booked.
There were a couple of issues. It was disappointing that there was no cafe or even a drinks machine on the premises for customers. Also several of the video games and hands on experiences on the first floor didnt work properly. On the plus side everything was free.and very enjoyable
The factory tour was interesting, but the guide was in a really grumpy mood. Photography was banned and our mobiles were taken off us before we entered the factory and didnt seem to be dealt with very securely.
As stated, everything was free and very enjoyable but a company of Volkswagens international standing could polish everything up a little bit better
There were a couple of issues. It was disappointing that there was no cafe or even a drinks machine on the premises for customers. Also several of the video games and hands on experiences on the first floor didnt work properly. On the plus side everything was free.and very enjoyable
The factory tour was interesting, but the guide was in a really grumpy mood. Photography was banned and our mobiles were taken off us before we entered the factory and didnt seem to be dealt with very securely.
As stated, everything was free and very enjoyable but a company of Volkswagens international standing could polish everything up a little bit better
Written 21 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve P
Muizenberg, South Africa92 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
I have been to many of these experiences before around the world and this one is easily one of the best. The hospitality shown by the staff and the rich heritage on display make this an absolute must-do when you are in Utenhage.
The display consists of a great many old cars with really touching stories.
Here is a great tip. The display has an entrance fee, but this is waived if you combine your entry with a free factory tour. Yes, you read that right.. See more, pay nothing. The tours are really popular and space is limited, so ensure that you book in advance.
The display consists of a great many old cars with really touching stories.
Here is a great tip. The display has an entrance fee, but this is waived if you combine your entry with a free factory tour. Yes, you read that right.. See more, pay nothing. The tours are really popular and space is limited, so ensure that you book in advance.
Written 19 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHaacke
Johannesburg, South Africa361 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Our boys are 14&16yrs old . They loved the cats and factory tour. A must if you visit PE. A great weekend activity. Takes about 1.5hrs . You have to book it is very popular.
Written 7 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nexxen_11
Calgary, Canada48 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Uitenhage is the main manufacturing and head office for VW South Africa. It's worth the trip to see it, and how companies like Volkswagen are contributing to the South African economy. It's about a 30-40 minute drive from Port Elizabeth, so make sure if you are a visitor to South Africa as we were that you plan your route and use a GPS. VW makes the Polo here and it is a complete manufacturing and assembly complex. You must book ahead. Before the factory tour visitors can walk through the VW Pavilion and Museum which contains many famous Volkswagen models and tells the story of the company in South Africa.
Written 17 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ian Q
Isle of Man, UK55 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
We visited here today the Factory Tours start 1st March which is tomorrow
Firstly for it being a VW museum they seem to Focus on the VW Polo so of u like The VW Pplo u like here poor show on the other cars in the VW Range though I like the new golfs nothing on them here which is poor since VW claim to build great cars
Poor show to the management here who need to get there act together and show what the people expect I can understand u can’t have everything but Polo lovers will love it here
Firstly for it being a VW museum they seem to Focus on the VW Polo so of u like The VW Pplo u like here poor show on the other cars in the VW Range though I like the new golfs nothing on them here which is poor since VW claim to build great cars
Poor show to the management here who need to get there act together and show what the people expect I can understand u can’t have everything but Polo lovers will love it here
Written 28 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kurt M
Malmö, Sweden528 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
My first car was a Beetle (yes, I realise I am getting old!) and has always held a special place in my heart. Though we nowadays don't own a VW back home in Sweden (it's Volvo land) we decided to visit the VWSA (Volkswagen South Africa) factory. So we drove for about 40 min from Port Elizabeth past the townships and through beautiful rolling hill country to Uitenhage and hopped on board their Factory Tour Vehicle and toured the factory.
During the one- hour tour our guide expertly explained the assembly process where all the world's VW Polo cars, both for right- and left hand drive, are produced, with 75% locally sourced materials, impressive! And afterwards I could spend time with my beloved Beetles and Kombis in the little museum and exhibition...
A nicely spent morning!
During the one- hour tour our guide expertly explained the assembly process where all the world's VW Polo cars, both for right- and left hand drive, are produced, with 75% locally sourced materials, impressive! And afterwards I could spend time with my beloved Beetles and Kombis in the little museum and exhibition...
A nicely spent morning!
Written 5 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed R
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa44 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
One of the best interactive exhibits in South Africa. This does more than tell visitors about the history of VW in the country. It takes them on a journey through the evolution of the cars, as well as providing an insight into the production process.
Written 29 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALL THIS INFO is on the home page of their website! Just Google Volkswagen Auto Pavilion.
Open weekdays 8h30 -16h00, and every first Saturday of the month from 10h00 - 13h00.
Closed all other weekends & public holidays.
R10 adults, R5 children under 16, R5 pensioners, groups of 15+ R7.50 p.p.
Daily pre-booked factory tours includes a free tour of the AutoPavilion, no bookings are required for the AutoPavilion.
Written 25 May 2016
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