Volkswagen expansion to East Africa, Assembly plant in Rwanda/Kenya

[GalliumerianSlayer]

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/artic ... 22/206484/

https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/23/vol ... in-rwanda/

http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-volksw ... KKBN14B1PV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVtHcHLP02E



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBpRT3qMa5E

[GalliumerianSlayer]

Rwandans who are making resolutions for New Year are now allowed to add on their list ‘driving a Made in Rwanda brand new car before end of next year-2017’.

The Government of Rwanda and Volkswagen (VW) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a new integrated mobility concept in Kigali.

Fresh from penning the deal with RDB, the VW executives met with President Paul Kagame and presented him a gift.

The deal include an assembling plant, service stations, and training local mechanics which will not only see Rwanda become a center of excellence but expansion point for Volkswagen vehicles to the rest of Africa.

The plant is set to be an environmentally compatible local vehicle production facility.

Latest generation of Volkswagen, including Tiguan Passat is among the cars that will be assembled in Rwanda, thus increasing more and more the percentage of SUVs in the country and the region.

The deal will also bring an option of car sharing and ride hailing in Rwanda, whereby one can for example choose to share a drive with others or to rent instead of keeping own car. This option is common and cost-effective in Europe.

In the long run, VW will even collaborate with other German companies to establish a technical academy in Rwanda, according to RDB.

While signing the MoU with Government of Rwanda, Volkswagen officials said the company has set aside a lump sum of over €1 million to start off the venture.

“We have come to Rwanda because we believe in the investment climate here. Our plan has been to expand in Africa and Rwanda was the most evident and unquestionable destination for us to expand our mobility services to another level,” said Thomas Shaefer, Managing Director of Volkswagen South Africa at the signing.

Representing the Government of Rwanda, Francis Gatare the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said this partnership with Volkswagen is just the beginning of country’s plan to promote made-in- Rwanda products but also proves the confidence that Germans have for Rwanda.

“This partnership is a proof that we (Rwanda) are good partners and from this experience of skills transfer and promotion of local products, Volkswagen will want to emulate it elsewhere on the continent,” Gatare said.

Dr Herbert Diess, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand witnessed the signing.

The Rwanda assembly plant will be the third of its kind in Africa after South Africa where the company is operating since the last sixty years. The second assembly plant was also opened in Nairobi, Kenya this Wednesday December 21, 2016.

“The government will have to start thinking of expanding its roads network as more Rwandans will definitely want to get a share of these cars,” said one Hitler Mbonigaba, who owns a driving license but has only dreamt of owning a car.

Rwanda finds that Volkswagen venture intends to provide a new impetus for the development of individual mobility in the country which, till date does not have an established vehicle industry.

Given country’s young population which is embracing new technology, RDB officials believe that VW’s approach will be quickly assimilated in Rwanda.

In addition, Rwanda is strongly committed to sustainable energy production. Thus, in the medium term, Volkswagen plans to investigate the use of electric vehicles such as the e-up! or the e-Golf in Rwanda.

HOMEBUSINESSVOLKSWAGEN INKS DEAL TO BUILD ASSEMBLY PLANT...
Volkswagen Inks Deal to Build Assembly Plant in Rwanda
December 21, 2016 at 9:09 am By KT Press Staff Writer

Rwanda will begin assembling Volkswagen cars

Like in Germany, Volkswagen is set to become “People’s car” in Rwanda following a deal to be inked between the Government of Rwanda and Volkswagen today.

The Government of Rwanda and Volkswagen will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a new concept of innovative integrated automotive mobility and thereafter build the production facility based on VW’s ThinkBlue cars.

They consist of cars that are easy to maintain and environment friendly because they combine a merit of low fuel consumption and low gas emission.

“ThinkBlue integrates ecology into our activities and actively involves our consumers through awareness and opportunity to understand and improve environmental behaviour. Volkswagen is taking steps towards a ‘bluer’ future,” reads part of an explanatory note at VW website.

According to a communiqué from Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the Chief Executive Officer of RDB, Francis Gatare and The Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen South Africa, Thomas Schaefer will sign the MOU in the presence of Dr Herbert Diess CEO of the Volkswagen Brand today December 21, 2016.

Two laws will help to permanently deal with toxic vehicle gas emission in Rwanda. They include the already passed Air Quality Preservation and Control law of July this year.

The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has also finalized drafting of the emission testing bill.

The bill suggests that gas emission testing will be incorporated among the existing vehicle inspection. Commercial vehicles will undergo the gas emissions test twice a year while tests on personal vehicles will be conducted once in a year.

“For us, building low-emission vehicles is just the beginning. Maximizing their fuel efficiency potential and further reducing fuel consumption across the board are the next challenges we’ll face,” reads VW’s statement.

http://ktpress.rw/2016/12/volkswagen-in ... in-rwanda/

http://ktpress.rw/2016/12/volkswagen-co ... wanda-car/

[SahanGalbeed]

great

[original dervish]

Don't be fooled.....this is just an illusion of industrial development, when in reality it;s just exploiting cheap non unionised labour.
When Africa is able to produce the steel and electronics that make up a car then celebrate.
This is just Lego for adults.

[MayDay777]

Rwanda is the next powerhouse of Africa. The country has a bright future. I believe in a few decades it will be a powerful tech based economy. The first in Africa. Best of luck to them and if you want an emerging economy to dump money in this little one is your best bet

Sadly Somalis with their strategic location could easily dominate the ever rising African market boom but there is absolutely no hope for these brain dead animals that get divided and ruled by f-king Ethiopia of all countries. We have absolutely no dignity and everyone we used to stunt on is moving ahead of us.

Seeing those who looked up to us become successful while we roll around in shit is truly hurting my pride as a Somali and destroying my faith in our people. Somaliyeey qeeyrkiin baad kaharteen.

Wallahi it's hard being Somali. Once the most respected Africans now beggars and eternal refugees. My children won't be Somali if they grow up without a country.

[GalliumerianSlayer]

Rwanda is the next powerhouse of Africa. The country has a bright future. I believe in a few decades it will be a powerful tech based economy. The first in Africa. Best of luck to them and if you want an emerging economy to dump money in this little one is your best bet

Sadly Somalis with their strategic location could easily dominate the ever rising African market boom but there is absolutely no hope for these brain dead animals that get divided and ruled by f-king Ethiopia of all countries. We have absolutely no dignity and everyone we used to stunt on is moving ahead of us.

Seeing those who looked up to us become successful while we roll around in shit is truly hurting my pride as a Somali and destroying my faith in our people. Somaliyeey qeeyrkiin baad kaharteen.

Wallahi it's hard being Somali. Once the most respected Africans now beggars and eternal refugees. My children won't be Somali if they grow up without a country.

[LiquidHYDROGEN]

Don't be fooled.....this is just an illusion of industrial development, when in reality it;s just exploiting cheap non unionised labour.
When Africa is able to produce the steel and electronics that make up a car then celebrate.
This is just Lego for adults.

Very true. These are white elephant projects. Without a reliable source of power and manufacturing infrastructure such as a steel and heavy chemical industry, these countries are just being exploited for cheap labour.

[original dervish]

The whole world.....China, India, Russia, UK, US, EU etc have a vested interest to keep Africa under developed.....for captive markets for its manufactured goods and a cheap source of labour/natural resources.