KNUST Looking For Partners To Market New Vehicles

The Vice Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Professor Kwesi Andam has called for operators in the automobile industry to partner the university to market its newly manufactured vehicles.

The production of the vehicles by the College of Mechanical Engineering of University forms part of its long-term plan to manufacture buses and tractors for mass transportation and agricultural services in the country.

The two multipurpose salon cars, named Baggy and Mini Baha, which have been on the drawing board for the past three years were put together in collaboration with some foreign universities.

Students of the University who were involved in the production of the cars say the five-seater Baggy is designed for the general use of the public while the mini Baha is designed especially for use by farmers to chart farm produce from their farm to various destinations. It has the capacity to carry over 10 tons of load.

One of the students Abubakar Saddique explained that with the exception of the engine, steering system and the gear lever all other components of the two vehicles were locally manufactured by them using aluminium and steel for the body to reduce its weight.

The Project supervisor at the Mechanical Engineering Department, Ellis Agbeko explained that the job done by the student formed part of their practical work required by the Department.

In an interview with Joy FM's Super Morning show host Komla Dumor, Professor Kwesi Andam, said the task of manufacturing the vehicles was not beyond the university's capacity and that the university is poised to break more grounds in the science and technology field.

He said the university is yet to get an assembly line to manufacture on a large scale

Prof Andam, however, said the university was ready to sell the vehicles for about ¢80 million each.