Africa Automotive March-April digital issue 2023

March-April issue l 2023
News
Volkswagen takes over vehicle assembly operations in Ghana
Volkswagen has taken over
the new vehicle assembly
operations in Ghana from
the brand’s licensed retailer,
Universal Motors Limited (UML).
UML was awarded the assembly
contract when Volkswagen officially
established Volkswagen Ghana, a
100 per cent subsidiary, in August,
2020. UML assembled models such
as the Tiguan, Teramont, Passat,
Polo, Amarok and T-Cross on behalf
of Volkswagen, using semi-knocked
down assembly kits imported from
South Africa.
Volkswagen Ghana has subsequently
opened a new 5000m² vehicle
assembly facility, which is located
near the Port of Tema, in Accra. It has
Isuzu East Africa has partnered
with the Kenya Coast National
Polytechnic to launch a
partnership program that
will upskill students to global
automotive industry standards.
In a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU), the program will see the
institution’s best automotive
students being onboarded for a oneyear
course in theory and practical
skills in automotive repairs and
maintenance tasks before being
deployed within the Isuzu network.
Volkswagen takes over vehicle assembly operations in Ghana. | Image: courtesy
an installed capacity to assemble
5,000 units a year and the facility
will churn out the T-Cross, Tiguan,
Amarok and Virtus sedan. In the
beginning, the new assembly facility
will create about 80 jobs, including
local third-party service suppliers.
Isuzu East Africa, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP) to
Bolster Skills Development
Ministry of Education State
Department for Technical and
Vocational Education and Training
Institutions (TVET) Principal
Secretary Esther Muoria urged TVET
to forge gainful partnerships with
industry players.
“It is such partnerships that will
help identify market gaps that TVET
institutions should fill through
competent training to meet the
market demand,” Muoria said.
“This is mainly because priorities
have since shifted from just
PS for Technical & Vocational Education and Training - Dr Esther Muoria (standing left) and Isuzu EA
Chairman (standing right) - Hiroshi Hisatomi, look on as Isuzu EA Managing Director - Rita Kavashe
(seated right) , signs an MoU with Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP - Chief Principal - Ms
Mary Muthoka/COURTESY
educating and training to giving
skills to the youth,” she added.
The collaboration will empower
KCNP students to carry out in-depth,
hands-on research and garner
insights into the intricacies of
technologically advanced vehicles.
Students will study a wide range
of parts, technology, and systems,
including fuel systems, engines,
ignition systems, vehicle chassis, and
body engineering, and much more.
“Through this partnership,
tomorrow’s innovators will be
empowered with first-hand
knowledge in automotive systems.
This will also enhance the future of
their employability to make them
industry-ready for Isuzu or the
market,” Isuzu EA Managing Director
Rita Kavashe said.
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