The VW Polo that we have all come to know and love is soon being put to rest. After a 12-year run, VW’s iconic hatchback both in India and in Nepal is ending production. The premium hatchback has been produced at VW’s plant in Chakan, Maharashtra since 2009 and was the brand’s first locally produced model. It made its official India debut at Auto Expo 2010 and went on sale in February that year.

The premium hatchback is by far VW’s bestselling model in India, with over 2.5 lakh units sold. As impressive as that figure is, Polo has been a victim of age and dwindling sales in recent years. It has also to do more with streamlining of production, with the upcoming launch of the VW New Global Sedan, tipped to be called the Virtus, production of the VW Vento sedan that it will replace will also be ending.

On top of that, the Vento and Polo are the only remaining models to use the brand’s old PQ platform, and keeping a production line alive for just a single model (which sells roughly 1,000 units a month) simply isn’t viable. This production capacity will likely be transferred to the Taigun and the new sedan.

Although the VW Polo has already been replaced by an all-new sixth-generation model globally in 2018, it is unclear if that model will make it into the Indian and Nepali markets after the current Polo is put to rest. The VW Polo, which has also been the bread & butter for the brand in the Nepalese market will be dearly missed once it is discontinued.