VOLKSWAGEN is to supply Kenya with up to 5,000 Polo Vivo cars a year in a move that could extend the manufacture of the car in SA beyond 2018.The German parent company on Wednesday signed a deal with the Kenyan government to build the Vivo at a new joint-venture plant in Thika, near Nairobi.The cars will be exported in kit form from VW’s Uitenhage assembly plant, in the Eastern Cape, and reassembled in Kenya.Production, by Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers, is due to begin in early 2017.This is not the first time VWs have been built in the East African country. The Beetle was produced there in the 1960s.VW on Wednesday said the Vivo project could be the start of broader vehicle production in Kenya. The ultimate intention is to replace kit assembly eventually with full manufacture.VW is helping create a local production training centre. "It is planned to review local production of further VW models should the new vehicle market show positive development further," a spokesman said.Two cars ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.