At a meeting, Volkswagen’s South Africa chief Thomas Schaefer told President Uhuru Kenyatta that “the firm was exploring producing a second model in Kenya, possibly a hatchback – small SUV – while doubling production of the Volkswagen Polo Vivo to at least 300 vehicles,”
Developing the automotive industry is the most important aspect of the President’s industrialization agenda.
President Uhuru welcomed VW’s commitment to the development of its Kenya facility, saying that the country had a ready market for cars made in Kenya, provided that they were sold at affordable prices.
“We will walk this journey with you to produce affordable cars. Our plea is that you price these vehicles reasonably,” the President said.
President Uhuru also added “We are very keen that our youth, a highly educated group, can get to work in a company of great technological sophistication as VW, which is why we welcome your plans to go full throttle to increase production,” He looks forward to a successful operation in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
To produce a major auto manufacturing plant, with the capacity to meet the supply needs of East and Central Africa is Kenya’s goal.
VW was set up in Kenya in 2016, and its first car was out less than a year later.
