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VW truck plant for PE
Posted on: Thursday, 27 January 2005. Article source: The Herald
Volkswagen has confirmed that it is to build a multi-million-rand truck and bus assembly plant in Port Elizabeth – a move which could create hundreds of much- needed jobs in the metro.
Bernd Wiedemann, spokesman for VW’s commercial vehicles division in Hanover, Germany, told Dow Jones Newswires that the company would open the new plant next year.
“We are concentrating on the southern hemisphere with the emerging markets,” said Wiedemann. He said Volkswagen would also build a plant in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The new production facilities were aimed at increasing VW’s share of the global heavy-duty truck and bus markets, he said.
VWSA communications general manager Bill Stephens could not give more details about the venture, saying it was too early to comment.
However, it is understood an announcement will be made in Johannesburg at the end of the month.
Volkswagen owns a facility in Port Elizabeth – the old Ford production plant at Neave – which is used as a parts and accessory storage site.
Opened in 1948 by former prime minister Jan Smuts, it was at one time the largest production plant under one roof in the southern hemisphere.
Ford produced Capris, Escorts, Anglias, Zodiacs and Fairlanes at the huge plant. It was shut down in 1985 when Ford moved from Port Elizabeth and later became the export centre for Volkswagen’s contract with China.
In Europe, Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles unit focuses on delivery vans.
But in developing markets, it sells heavy-duty trucks and buses and is market leader for trucks between seven and 45 tons in Brazil.
Last year, Volkswagen began truck assembly in Puebla, Mexico. Late last year, The Herald reported that a British website had said VW was looking at building the plant and it would be only the third such Volkswagen facility.
The website said VW had built trucks and buses in Brazil since 1981. “According to Volkswagen, the South African plant will initially produce three bus models,” the report said. “Right-hand drive development will be carried out by VW Brazil, which will also supply assembly kits from its Resende plant (Rio de Janeiro).”
The South African-made models are expected to help VW take a 10 per cent share of the local bus market in three years.
Bernd Wiedemann, spokesman for VW’s commercial vehicles division in Hanover, Germany, told Dow Jones Newswires that the company would open the new plant next year.
“We are concentrating on the southern hemisphere with the emerging markets,” said Wiedemann. He said Volkswagen would also build a plant in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The new production facilities were aimed at increasing VW’s share of the global heavy-duty truck and bus markets, he said.
VWSA communications general manager Bill Stephens could not give more details about the venture, saying it was too early to comment.
However, it is understood an announcement will be made in Johannesburg at the end of the month.
Volkswagen owns a facility in Port Elizabeth – the old Ford production plant at Neave – which is used as a parts and accessory storage site.
Opened in 1948 by former prime minister Jan Smuts, it was at one time the largest production plant under one roof in the southern hemisphere.
Ford produced Capris, Escorts, Anglias, Zodiacs and Fairlanes at the huge plant. It was shut down in 1985 when Ford moved from Port Elizabeth and later became the export centre for Volkswagen’s contract with China.
In Europe, Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles unit focuses on delivery vans.
But in developing markets, it sells heavy-duty trucks and buses and is market leader for trucks between seven and 45 tons in Brazil.
Last year, Volkswagen began truck assembly in Puebla, Mexico. Late last year, The Herald reported that a British website had said VW was looking at building the plant and it would be only the third such Volkswagen facility.
The website said VW had built trucks and buses in Brazil since 1981. “According to Volkswagen, the South African plant will initially produce three bus models,” the report said. “Right-hand drive development will be carried out by VW Brazil, which will also supply assembly kits from its Resende plant (Rio de Janeiro).”
The South African-made models are expected to help VW take a 10 per cent share of the local bus market in three years.
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