Technical University of Munich
Local Automotive Production and Skill Development Evaluation
About Technical University of Munich
The Technische Universität München (TUM) [Technische Universitaet Muenchen] is a research university with campuses in Munich, Garching, and Weihenstephan.
TUM, being among the highest acclaimed universities in Germany, is affiliated with 16 Nobel Laureates including Gerhard Ertl who in 2007 received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The university has a sound international reputation and was ranked 2nd in Germany, 16th in Europe and 58th in the world (overall) and in Engineering & Technology 1st in Germany, 9th in Europe and 36th in the world by the QS World University Rankings.
Executive Summary
- Industry: Education, Research, and Development
- Research Goals: Engaged kpakpakpa to assist with the evaluation of the challenges involved with the production of an electric car – the “aCar” – in Nigeria.
- Results: TUM’s research team received the quality local insights it needed to properly evaluate the feasibility of local production of an electric car in Nigeria, guiding its on-going research efforts with the development of an African electric vehicle.
Challenge
Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and partners have been working intensively towards developing an electric car for Africa, custom-designed for the needs of the local population, that strengthens rural structures and helps drive the economy.
Together with the “Bayern Innovativ” campaign, the TUM launched the project “aCar mobility – Rural mobility in developing countries” in 2013. The objective was to conceive a vehicle that precisely meets the requirements of the rural population in sub-Saharan countries. The project is supported by the Bavarian Research Foundation since 2015.
A segment of the research group on the aCar mobility project was evaluating the challenges of electric car production in developing countries such as Tunisia and Nigeria. They required detailed on-ground market insights about car production in Africa from local consultants and business owners that were familiar with the automotive industry.
Solution
KPA provided monthly one-hour long consultations over a 4-month period to two graduate research associates, providing details about the major challenges of car production in the Nigerian market.
The engagement included:
- A detailed understanding of the local car production landscape in Nigeria.
- An evaluation of the major challenges associated with manufacturing a vehicle in Nigeria.
- A comparison of the benefits of local production vs. importation of vehicles into the market.
- An overview of the challenges with skill development and training across industries in Nigeria.
- Assistance with the listing of agencies and credible news sources that provide information about spurring local automotive production.
- An understanding of the distribution and regulatory landscape in relation to trade in the automotive industry.
- Tariff structure for vehicles, automotive parts, including policy incentives for SKDs (Semi knocked-down) and CKDs (Completeknocked-downs) to promote local automotive manufacturing.
The engagement was detailed and stretched-out to allow TUM researchers to get information on an on-going basis and allow them to formulate new questions and hypothesis that would facilitate the development and prototypes for their final product.
Outcome
- Local Insights to Guide Product Innovation
TUM’s research team received the quality local insights it needed to properly evaluate the feasibility of local production of an electric car in Nigeria. Through detailed one-on-one phone consultations with one of kpakpakpa’s local consultant in Nigeria, the research team incorporated market strategies – with a realistic understanding of the car production landscape – in its research and innovation efforts for the on-going development of its product-in-making – the “aCar”.
Hear it from the people who are delightfully building their business in Africa
