VW to test new cars in Nam

Tileni Mongudhi

A PROPOSAL by the Ministry of Works and Transport to allow foreign car manufacturers to pay for test driving their new models in Namibia can earn the country N$1,5 million between November this year and March next year.

In addition, MTC and Telecom stand to make more than N$20 000 for the provision of high-power Internet services to the testing teams.

Transworld Cargo, a local logistics and transport company started the initiative after partnering the Global Automative Testing Support GmbH, a German company that provides support to car manufacturers. The pilot project that will see 20 cars being test-driven in the south of the country has already been approved by the Works ministry.

German car manufacturer, Volkwagen, will participate in the pilot project which is likely to make Namibia one of the world’s top destinations for high-end cars testing operations.

Works Minister Erkki Nghimtina confirmed that the government has approved the proposal and that Namibia will join other countries in the vehicle testing industry.

Nghimtina said the country will benefit from the project that will see money being injected into the economy.

He further said about N$75 000 will be spent in Namibia per vehicle tested at any given period and this will translate into N$1,5 million for 20 cars to be tested as part of the pilot project.

The Karas Region was considered the ideal location because of its favourable summer weather conditions and its low traffic density. Of interest to the car manufacturers is specifically the stretch of the road between Keetmanshoop and Aus.

Once undertaken, the project will see the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) making full use of the underutilised Keetmanshoop Airport that will be used as a testing workshop and operations base.

If the project succeeds, Namibia will expect to claim part of the market share of vehicle testing market in Southern Africa which is currently dominated by South Africa where about 500 vehicles are tested in the Northern Cape, between November and March.

Although VW has indicated its willingness to be part of the pilot project in Namibia, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, Ford and Porsche are conducting tests in South Africa.

The Namibian understands that the government was informed that the only other country apart from South Africa doing summer testing at high speed is the USA while Finland and Sweden are the only two that carry out winter vehicle testing.

“Testing will be conducted according to global standards and international safety measures will be adhered to,” Nghimtina said adding that no testing will be done at night and that the public will be informed well in advance before tests are done.

The minister further said appropriate road markings and environmental laws and regulations will be adhered to.

According to Nghimtina, the economy will benefit should the project succeed with the hospitality, fuel industry and the ITC sector raking in huge benefits.

“The initiative is also good so that we can learn and gain expertise to enable us to carry out similar test in future,” the minister said.

Karas governor, Bernadus Swartbooi also supports the intiative saying it will provide considerable economic benefit to the region.

“We also see indirect benefits such as show-casing the Karas Region and Namibia internationally for future events and operations of this nature,” Swartbooi said in his letter of support.

Swartbooi indicated that he met Transworld Cargo in June this year where they discussed the opportunity to attract global car manufacturers to conduct summer testing operations.

NAC Board chairperson, Ndeuhala Katonyala said they would rent out the airport workshop facilities and landing strip for vehicle maintenance and test drives.

“Our technical team will be ready to collaborate with Transworld Cargo and a meeting with representatives of our two respective companies may be arranged at the earliest convenience,” she also wrote.