Martina Biene

Summary

The speaker discusses the challenges of introducing the updated Volkswagen Teramont in Rwanda due to the country's lower fuel quality, which doesn’t meet the higher emissions standards of the new model. Despite testing, the Teramont's engine experienced failures, especially with pistons. The speaker highlights the need for improved fuel quality and stricter emission standards in Rwanda, particularly as the country moves towards electric mobility. The speaker also mentions a supportive meeting with President Kagame, where the importance of transitioning to a better emission standard was emphasized to allow the introduction of more advanced vehicles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rwanda's current fuel quality is not compatible with the new Volkswagen Teramont's engine technology.
• 😀 The Teramont facelift includes a new engine with higher emission standards, which cannot be supported by Rwanda's Euro 3 standard.
• 😀 Testing the new Teramont in Rwanda led to engine failures, particularly piston failures, due to fuel quality issues.
• 😀 The Teramont's introduction in Rwanda was halted until fuel quality improves to accommodate newer engine technologies.
• 😀 There is a push for better fuel quality in Rwanda to allow for new models, including the Teramont, to function properly.
• 😀 The current Euro 3 emission standard in Rwanda poses challenges for reducing CO2 and NOx emissions.
• 😀 The transition to electric mobility in Rwanda is part of a long-term strategy, but it requires significant improvements in fuel quality.
• 😀 Older Teramont models performed well in Rwanda due to compatibility with the available fuel quality at the time.
• 😀 There is no intention to introduce an engine in Rwanda that does not work, which is why the new Teramont model was postponed.
• 😀 President Kagame was supportive of the idea of improving fuel quality in Rwanda, recognizing the need for better emission standards.
• 😀 The improvement of fuel quality is seen as important not only for Volkswagen vehicles but also for other manufacturers and the country's transition to cleaner vehicles.

Q & A

Why is the introduction of the new Teramont model in Rwanda problematic?

The introduction of the new Teramont model in Rwanda is problematic because the current fuel quality does not support the new engine technology, which has higher emission standards. The fuel quality in Rwanda is still based on the Euro 3 emission standard, causing engine failures like piston issues during tests.

What happened during the test of the new Teramont engine in Rwanda?

During the test of the new Teramont engine, there were piston failures, which led to the suspension of the test. The engine was not able to perform as expected due to the incompatibility with the current fuel quality in Rwanda.

What is being done to address the issue with fuel quality in Rwanda?

There is an effort to lobby for better fuel quality in Rwanda. This includes advocating for a higher emission standard and improved fuel quality, which will not only benefit the Teramont but also other models, as well as help in reducing CO2 and NOx emissions.

Has the previous generation of the Teramont worked well in Rwanda?

Yes, the previous generation of the Teramont worked fine in Rwanda. There were no issues with the engine when it was introduced, unlike the new generation which faces problems due to the fuel quality.

What are the challenges associated with introducing new vehicles with higher emission standards in Rwanda?

The main challenge is that the country still adheres to the Euro 3 emission standard, which does not support vehicles with newer, higher emission standards. This creates incompatibility issues, leading to engine failures and hindering the introduction of advanced models.

How did the President of Rwanda respond to the concerns about fuel quality?

The President of Rwanda, His Excellency President Kagame, was very supportive regarding the issue of fuel quality. During a meeting, he acknowledged the need to transition to a better emission standard, recognizing its importance for the country's future and the introduction of better vehicles.

What is the importance of improving fuel quality for Rwanda?

Improving fuel quality is crucial for Rwanda to support the introduction of advanced vehicles with higher emission standards, such as the Teramont. It is also important for reducing harmful emissions like CO2 and NOx and for supporting the country's transition towards electric mobility.

What kind of support did the company receive from President Kagame regarding vehicle standards?

The company received strong support from President Kagame in terms of transitioning to better emission standards. He recognized the importance of improving the fuel quality to allow the company and others to bring in better vehicles to Rwanda.

Why is the transition to electric mobility important for Rwanda?

The transition to electric mobility is important for Rwanda to reduce its environmental impact, particularly in terms of CO2 emissions and air pollution. It is also a step toward a sustainable future for transportation, aligning with global trends and helping Rwanda meet future mobility needs.

What impact would better fuel quality have on other vehicle models in Rwanda?

Better fuel quality would enable the introduction of more advanced vehicle models in Rwanda, not only improving the performance of models like the Teramont but also making it easier for other manufacturers to introduce vehicles that meet higher emission standards, thus contributing to a cleaner environment.