Volkswagen announced on Tuesday the start of a three-year collaboration with The Sharks, becoming their official vehicle provider partner. The company stated that this unites two iconic South African brands that share a commitment to excellence, precision, and high performance, while also inspiring dedicated fans.
Volkswagen emphasized that over its 75 years of existence, the company has created vehicles characterized by precision, innovation, and reliability. At the same time, The Sharks have built a proud rugby legacy based on resilience, determination, and a constant pursuit of excellence. Volkswagen noted that despite differences in fields of operation, both brands share a similar approach.
As the official transport partner, Volkswagen will support The Sharks throughout the entire season—from preparation and training to match days. The goal of this support is to promote the club both on and off the field. Bridget Harper, Head of Marketing for Volkswagen passenger cars, reported that the partnership reflects the company's commitment to people, communities, and South African sporting institutions.
Harper added that this cooperation goes beyond simply providing vehicles. It unites two brands convinced that high results are achieved through dedication, teamwork, and an unceasing pursuit of perfection. She expressed enthusiasm for supporting The Sharks, engaging with fans, and creating unforgettable moments over the next three seasons.
Sean Bryan, CEO of The Sharks, expressed delight at Volkswagen joining the The Sharks family as the official transport partner. He noted that as one of South Africa's most reliable brands, the club is proud of Volkswagen's support, especially from an organization that shares their commitment to innovation, passion, and performance. Bryan expressed hope for building an exciting partnership over the next three years.
Volkswagen and The Sharks begin a joint journey focused on performance and uniting passion to bring fans closer to the club and the game. Meanwhile, The Sharks announced on Wednesday a new agreement with Reebok, the iconic sports culture brand, which is returning as the club's official technical apparel supplier. Michael Leslie, The Sharks Growth Director, stated that they are very pleased to welcome Reebok back into the The Sharks family.
He stressed that this partnership is highly significant for fans, and the club is proud of reuniting with a brand that played an important role in its history. The Sharks' vision is to transform the club into a globally recognized sports and lifestyle brand, making it crucial to collaborate with brands that share this ambition. John Carden, CEO of Sports Hub Group and Reebok Teamsports partner, noted that this event marks a significant milestone for Reebok Teamsports. He added that this collaboration brings together two iconic brands striving to inspire the next generation of athletes and fans, and that The Sharks are one of the most respected and passionately supported clubs in world rugby.
Volkswagen is implementing a new industrial restructuring in Brazil aimed at creating production capacity for the Tukan, which will be its next mid-size pickup truck. It is expected that between late 2026 and early 2027, the Virtus model will leave the factory located in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná (PR), and its focus will be transferred to the Anchieta unit in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo (SP).
This logistical change will allow the Paraná plant to be entirely dedicated to the production of the T-Cross and the newly arrived Tukan pickup. In return, the ABC Paulista factory will remain responsible for manufacturing the Virtus, as well as other vehicles such as the Polo Track and the Nivus. Essentially, Volkswagen is promoting a reallocation of functions within its national manufacturing network.
This move occurs just over a year after the brand began assembling the Virtus in Paraná. At that time, part of the sedan's production was moved to São José dos Pinhais to balance factory utilization and support other company launches. Now, the situation is reversing because the introduction of the Tukan requires production space at the Paraná unit, which already handles the T-Cross.
The Tukan represents a crucial project for Volkswagen in Brazil in the coming years, aiming to position the brand in a segment where Fiat Strada has a strong market presence. The viability of this reorganization is facilitated by the fact that current Volkswagen models use the MQB A0 platform, which provides great industrial adaptability, allowing production to be relocated according to demand, the arrival of new cars, or the need to reduce downtime on assembly lines.
This strategic approach is already in effect in other company products. For example, the Polo Track is produced in São Bernardo do Campo, while other versions of the hatchback are manufactured in Taubaté, São Paulo. This division of labor helped free up space in the inland São Paulo unit for the production of the Tera, Volkswagen's new entry-level SUV.
Regarding the Virtus, production in Paraná started in a shared manner with the Anchieta unit. This process involved transporting already welded bodies from São Bernardo do Campo to São José dos Pinhais, where the sedan went through painting, final assembly, and inspection phases.
The new change coincides with the final production phase of the Saveiro. The compact pickup, one of the oldest models still in line at Volkswagen, is set to be discontinued in the last quarter of this year. To ensure stock before production ends, the brand intensified the pace at Anchieta, implementing two shifts, overtime, and bi-weekly schedules on Saturdays.
