Pretoria - Volkswagen South Africa chairman and managing director Thomas Schäfer has taken over responsibility for developing and networking 49 African states that are part of a new sub-Saharan Africa region established by the German-based
original equipment manufacturer.
The establishment of the new fourth region is in line with the company’s regionalisation strategy for the VW brand.
The other existing regions are North America, South America and China. They've been set up with the aim of positioning the VW brand in focus areas.
VW already has three strong pillars in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya and will be launching an integrated mobility concept in Rwanda by the end of this year.
The company last year signed a memorandum of understanding for a new integrated mobility concept in Rwanda that will result in an environmentally compatible local vehicle production facility being established in the capital Kigali.
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The concept provides for app-based mobility solutions, such as car sharing and ride hailing, to be offered in Rwanda.
The production facility to be established in Kigali was to satisfy vehicle demand for the integrated mobility concept. Rwanda does not have an established vehicle industry.
Schäfer said Africa was still one of the blank spots on the VW map, but there was enormous potential in the region to meet the mobility needs of a burgeoning middle class.
“We will drive forward the development of these new markets in co-operation with various African governments, and gradually strengthen and expand the new sub-Saharan Africa region,” he said.