Volkswagen Passat 132TSI. VW Rwanda will start assembling these types of vehicles in its initial phase
If the Germany automaker, Volkswagen walks the talk, Rwanda will have the first car – VW assembled in Kigali within 24 days.
In December 2016, the Government of Rwanda and Volkswagen signed 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 environmentally friendly because they combine a merit of low fuel consumption and low gas emission. Volkswagen is expected to assemble the Polo and Passat brands in Kigali.
VW workshop(backside) in Kigali Special Economic Zone
In January this year, VW announced its initial budget of $20 million that was allocated to its Kigali assembling plant located in Kigali Special Economic Zone.
They missed the May deadline but VW’s local representatives said that June would leave the plant operational.
The date of the launch was revealed by CEO Michelle Rugwizangoga in the last Transform Africa Summit in Kigali where some brand new cars of the company were showcased, causing rumors that the plant was already up and running.
VW workshop viewed from the main entrance
“These Passats have been imported as part of Volkswagen’s partnership with Transform Africa Summit. More information to follow at the launch at the end of June,” said Rugwizangoga.
