Volkswagen Ghana has officially launched the new Volkswagen Touareg, underscoring its commitment to the Ghanaian automotive sector with a focus on local assembly and long-term investment in vehicle financing to make car ownership more affordable.

At the event held last Friday (February 28, 2025) in Accra, Jeffrey J.O. Peprah, CEO of Volkswagen Ghana, outlined the company’s vision for sustainable growth in Ghana and the broader West African market.

"VW is not just a car brand—it is a heritage. Generations upon generations have trusted Volkswagen for mobility, and we are here to deepen that legacy in Ghana," he stated.

Since starting local assembly operations in 2020, Volkswagen Ghana has introduced models such as the Polo, Tiguan, Passat, T-Cross, Amarok, and now the Touareg. The new launch represents a major milestone in advancing Ghana’s automotive industry and positioning the country as a key hub for vehicle manufacturing in the sub-region.

"We are assembling world-class vehicles right here in Ghana with the same high standards as in Germany or South Africa," Peprah emphasised.

He revealed that Volkswagen is also targeting neighboring markets such as Togo, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire, with Ghana serving as the regional hub.

Addressing concerns over affordability, Peprah disclosed that Volkswagen Ghana is working alongside the government and financial institutions to roll out a structured vehicle financing scheme.

"We are engaging the government and the Ghana Automotive Development Programme (GADP) to introduce a financing scheme that will make it easier for Ghanaians to own brand-new vehicles instead of used imports," he explained.

In Ghana, most vehicles are bought on a cash basis, which can make ownership difficult for many. Volkswagen’s proposed financing scheme is designed to tackle this challenge by offering lower interest rates and flexible payment plans.

"We must change the perception that brand-new cars are out of reach. When you compare the costs of maintaining used imported vehicles with no warranty to purchasing a locally assembled brand-new car with full warranty and service support, the latter is a smarter choice," Peprah added.

Volkswagen Ghana is also advocating for the full implementation of the government’s automotive policy, including a ban on salvage vehicle imports.

"The used car market dominates because of affordability concerns. However, if we phase out salvage imports while growing local assembly, Ghanaians can transition to quality vehicles with better safety standards," he explained.

Volkswagen’s long-term goal is to foster the creation of a local automotive value chain, including component manufacturing, to drive industrialisation and create jobs.

The new Volkswagen Touareg, now assembled in Ghana, is a state-of-the-art SUV equipped with advanced technology, premium interiors, and exceptional performance.

"This is not just a luxury SUV; it is an innovation. From wireless charging to NFC 3.0 and enhanced driving stability, the new Touareg offers cutting-edge features that rival even high-end sports SUVs," Peprah remarked.

The new Volkswagen Touareg is now available for test drives, with special promotional offers for early buyers. The official sales campaign has also commenced.