This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
On July 24, 2019, DT Dobie, a leading automotive company in Kenya, unveiled two new Volkswagen models, the Polo Vivo Comfortline and the Caddy Kombi, at a launch function in Kenya. The event marked a significant milestone in the company's efforts to promote local assembly and manufacturing in the country.
According to Alexander Helfritz, the Sales and Marketing Director of DT Dobie, the company is committed to assembling more of its brands locally in the near future. He stated, “In 2016 we launched the first ever locally assembled German car in Kenya, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo.”
DT Dobie's efforts to promote local assembly are in line with the Government's Big 4 agenda in the manufacturing sector. By assembling more of its brands locally, the company is supporting the government's initiative to boost the manufacturing sector and create jobs.
Usha Nagpal, the General Manager Sales for Volkswagen, highlighted the key features of the two new models. The VW Polo Vivo Comfortline has a 1.6-litre 16-valve fuel-efficient engine, anti-locking brake system (ABS), electronic brake pressure distribution (EBD), stability control, and childproof locks on rear doors. The vehicle also comes with standard equipment such as air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, USB/CD and SD card slot, alloy wheels, and dual airbags.
The Volkswagen Caddy Kombi, on the other hand, has two rear sliding doors with a seating capacity of up to seven passengers. It is equipped with a 1.6-litre engine that delivers 102 horsepower and power goes to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic or manual transmission alternative. The vehicle also features anti-locking brake system (ABS), electronic differential locks (EDL), electronic stabilization program (ESP), child lock on sliding doors, engine drag torque control, and traction control system (TCS).
