VW starts assembly in Kigali

Rwanda – The OEM has unveiled plans to expand its activities in Africa. As well as launching an app-based car- and ride-sharing scheme, it has started assembling the latest generations of its Polo and Passat models at a facility in Kigali – Rwanda’s capital city.

“Rwanda has great potential,” noted Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Group South Africa. “The country is young, modern and hungry for individual mobility. With a package specifically tailored to the region comprising local vehicle production, new vehicle business and innovative mobility services, we intend to harness the opportunities for growth and create new opportunities. Rwanda can become a blueprint for other African and emerging market countries.”

The plan is to make around 1,000 units per year at the Kigali assembly facility, though this figure could rise to as much as 5,000. It has also promised to invest in a new sales and service retail outlet. In total, the car maker said it has spent US$20m in Rwanda “for phase one.”

The news comes soon after SEAT announced it had started making the Ibizia in Algeria. Furthermore, the Spanish OEM has been tasked with leading the VW Group in North Africa.