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.
