Volkswagen revives assembling operations in Nigeria, unveils new vehicles
YEARS after vehicle assembly operations got suspended by Volkswagen of Nigeria Ltd (VON), the firm on Tuesday, unveiled brand new Jetta, CC and Amarok models to kick-start full operations in Nigeria.
Stating its commitment to provide customers, particularly Nigerians with not only the right but also consistently the best choice while ensuring that the Nigerian automobile market becomes viable, the official representative of Volkswagen in Nigeria, Stallion group said that it would continue to work harder to make sure that cars become affordable in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Stallion group Sunil Vaswani said: “This is a great moment for Stallion in partnering with a world leading global brand like Volkswagen.
We are immensely pleased to bring back the proud legacy of Nigeria automotive industry – the Volkswagen brand that once was indigenously produced at the same premises.” According to him, Stallion is committed to investing and expanding its operations in the automotive value chain across multiple global brands and paving the way for Nigeria to establish itself as a regional leader in the automobile eco system.
The Director-General, National Automotive Council (NAC), Aminu Jalal, in a speech delivered by the Executive Director, National Automotive Council, Lukman Mamudu at the event commended the efforts of the organisation, saying, “we delivered and they also delivered” Jalal said the automobile industry is a great tool for industrial development in any nation, particularly in a developing country like Nigeria, stating further that the initiative would drastically reduce unemployment problem in Nigeria.
According to him, the development in the automotive sector would enable Nigeria to create employment, acquire technology for industrialization and reduce pressure on the country’s balance of payment position resulting from escalating vehicle import bill. Jalal stated: “The response to the policy has exceeded our expectations. Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot and Renault vehicles are now assembled locally.
Toyota, Ford and many others are concluding their feasibility studies with a view to setting up assembly operations. Our focus has accordingly shifted to the development of local content.” Leader of the Volkswagen Group delegation from Germany, Ratz Wolfgang, noted that the event marks the revival of the assembly of Volkswagen vehicles in Nigeria, stressing that Volkswagen has returned to Nigeria to continue a long history that began in the 1970s.
As the largest market in Sub Sahara Africa, Wolfgang noted that Nigeria remained strategic to the firm as Volkswagen seeks new opportunities to expand its market reach across the globe.
“We are certain that further growth is possible, which is why Volkswagen is constantly searching for new opportunities to increase global market and sales potential and we appreciate the fact that we are able to strengthen our business relationship with our professional partner Stallion,” he said.
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18 Comments
Assembling cars in Nigeria is one thing and making it affordable to the generality of the people is another. These assembly plants should not be overprotected at the expense of “tokunbos” which the common man, most especially civil servants, can afford. Let there be competition. Regulate the quality of “tokunbo” vehicles as well as lowering the duties. We know who can afford new cars assembled in Nigeria – mainly politicians and unscrupulous Nigerians. Please do not kill “tokunbos” in the guise of protecting automobile assemblies.
You must be one of those so-called “businessmen/women” importing JUNK into the country.
He doesn’t have to be. Competition between locally assembled cars and good tokunbo cars will work to the advantage of the average Joe.
Good step in the right direction. Nigeria slowly marching back to its once glorious days
All I could say is that the Automobile policy of the last administration are one timely legacy that would intervened in foreign exchange wastage, create more jobs, domesticate some local jobs, empowers SMEs and sustain national content development. Thanks to Aganga, Iweala, Emefiele & GEJ.
I completely disagree with you. Any automobile plant that is not a subsidiary of the parent company in Europe or any other country is another lies our government is passing to us. Nigeria as an environment and nation cannot be the home of a automobile plant, it is not the assembling tri-cycles!
Good boy. Good comment. Asuquuo, aba dier?
LIES! Its only when Volkswagen Germany comes to Nigeria and open a Volkswagen plant then can such stories be true. Please stop feeding us with lies
ole doubting Thomas
Wait and see. By the ending of last year going by the automobile policy, we are meant to have Nigerian made cars. Where are they? I do not doubt am an engineer and I know what such massive project involves. God luck Ade Joe
Ade Joe, engineering is 99% home work and 1% product. Please where is the home work
This is a good. The New Auto Policy in manifestation. Weldon Hon. Aganga and co.
Good one but we must make sure itakpe and other steel companies are back on stream to effect cheap prices.Until that is done, we shall continue with the tocumbo that is affordable for now.
I thank God for the last administration led by PGEJ assisted with able people like Dr. Aganga, Dr Okonjo-Iweala and others for this automobile policy, we really need to produce and assemble in Nigeria most of our needs rather than importation of everything including tooth picks so as to create employment for our youths and wealth for the nation. May God grant our leaders the wisdom to formulate good policies for the greatness of Nigeria. God bless Nigeria
Instead of advertising continue to enrich ur family with the internet money abi una don tire for money
Is it true that Volkswagen coming back to Nigeria is the achievement of President Mohammadu Buhari? That is what I have been hearing around town. I thought it was GEJ, Aganga and Okonjo-Iweala that negotiated their return.
I am confused….
No, you are not confused
THANK YOU GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND INNOCENT CHUKWUMA FOR JUMPSTARTING AUTO INDUSTRIES AGAIN> ALSO THANKS TO OLUSEGUN AGANGA, NGOZI-OKONJO-IWEALA>
According to him, the development in the automotive sector would enable Nigeria to create employment, acquire technology for industrialization and reduce pressure on the country’s balance of payment position resulting from escalating vehicle import bill. Jalal stated: “The response to the policy has exceeded our expectations. Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot and Renault vehicles are now assembled locally.
Toyota, Ford and many others are concluding their feasibility studies with a view to setting up assembly operations
We will review and take appropriate action.