Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The first Volkswagen trucks to integrate in a peace mission for United Nations



In January 2009 eleven units of VW Worker 15,210 4X4 are ready for duty from the Port of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti.

The trucks will be used by the Brazilian Military Command who are co-ordinating 6700 soldiers from 16 countries participating in the mission.

The Volkswagen fleet in Haiti in the coming year will reach 40 units; which will be used for transporting troops and equipment/

In September last year Volkswagen Trucks and Buses was the winner of a new contract for the supply of 150 trucks operating with 4X4 for the Brazilian Army.

Most will be used in border areas of difficult access in the North and Centre-West of Brazil as well as missions abroad. The new UN vehicles are part of this deal.

"The trucks will face a situation of war: deteriorated roads and areas of armed conflict; for which we must move with agility and strength.

The 15,210 VW 4X4 was chosen by the Army by bringing together those characteristics and also for having gone through a rigorous testing process for its approval.

The 15,210 VW 4X4 was tested by the Brazilian Army in harsh conditions such as boggy sand, muddy roads and boarding capabilities in air and sea conditions.

The use of biodiesel with B2 blend (2% mixture of the conventional diesel) and ballistic tests which tests resistance to the cabin were also requirements.

The Volkswagen fleet in Haiti will have technical assistance from the Brazilian Army mechanics; who trained together with the Technicians from Volkswagen Trucks and Buses.

With an area of 27,750 square kilometres, Haiti occupies the western third of Hispaniola, the second largest island of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. The Dominican Republic occupies the other two thirds of the island.

The United Nations Mission for the Stabilization of Haiti - MINUSTAH - was created by the Security Council of the Organization on April 30, 2004. The main objectives are to stabilize the country, pacify and disarm guerrilla groups and rebels, promote free elections and promoting institutional development and economic.

Brazil took command of operations in Haiti for having the largest military contingent in the operation. Also part of the mission: Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Canada, Chad, Chile, Croatia, France, Jordan, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Turkey and Uruguay.



Source: Volkswagen Trucks and Buses
Translation: via google and author

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