In the mid-1990s decade, Volkswagen de México started to use the Derby name in order to introduce an all-new quite affordable saloon toward its domestic market.

Within Volkswagen's local lineup, this new model was intended to be positioned in a segment between the old, yet bestseller -by then- classic VW Sedán/Beetle/Bug and the Mk3 Golf-Jetta, the brand's flagships.

By 1996, domestic-target units were assembled at the Volkswagen Mexico's Puebla facilities, mostly featuring Spain-sourced parts.

Production in Mexico of these units (as first Derbys) was interrupted at some point in 1997, in order to re-launch the car as an all-new mid-1998 model.

Thus, Volkswagen Mexico continued to offer this model in its lineup as Derby, importing the Argentinian-produced units.

Circa 2006, the Argentinian-produced Mk3 Polo Classic got a slight "makeover" (Typ 6NB), mainly spotted on the headlights, front grille, taillights and bumpers.