Industria: Marruecos y Stellantis apuestan por el motor 100% eléctrico
The automotive industry in the Kingdom of Morocco is growing by leaps and bounds, so much so that it is considered the second most important sector in the country. The Alawi kingdom aims to become the most competitive automotive industrial platform in the world and is well on its way to becoming so.
During a meeting with the head of government Aziz Akhannouch, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, the Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence and Evaluation of Public Policies, Mohcine Jazouli and the CEO of the multinational group Stellantis, which specialises in car manufacturing, accompanied by Samir Cherfan, the group's director of operations for the Middle East and Africa, the vehicle manufacturer announced the approval of an investment of more than 300 million euros (3.2 billion dirhams) in the country's automotive industry in its Kenitra plant aimed at doubling the site's production potential and projecting the smart car platform.
"We are proud to announce today another important step on the path of our industrial plant in Kenitra, in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade," said Samir Cherfan, quoted in a press release from the automotive group.
The head of government also highlighted the contribution of Moroccan managers to the progress of the electric car sector at the Kenitra plant (Citroën AMI and Opel Rocks-e), highlighting the contribution of a group of Moroccan specialists and technicians in the design and manufacture of these cars. Stellantis, which abandoned car manufacturing in Europe, aims to achieve the goal of manufacturing close to one million cars in the region by 2030, which corresponds to 22% of production, with an integration rate of over 70%. Morocco will produce 450,000 vehicles per year with 2,000 additional jobs.
Morocco successfully built the first 100% Moroccan car. The electric car can be seen today in the courtyard of the House of Representatives. According to the Moroccan newspaper Hespress, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Riad Mezzour, confirmed that the 10,000 dirham car, with a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour, was designed and manufactured entirely in Morocco. On the other hand, Mezzour said that Morocco's automotive industry, which employs some 230,000 workers, will surpass the 100 billion dirham threshold for the first time in the country's history. In addition, Saudi Arabia's aircraft manufacturing industry is expected to reach an all-time high with deals worth 20 billion dirhams.
Since its inception in 2019, the Kenitra plant has consistently exceeded contractual commitments in the industry's strategy to continuously improve operational efficiency and quality performance. The announcement is also part of a strategic industrial agreement between Stellantis and the Moroccan government, launched in 2015 to strengthen the country's automotive industry. "Together, we have succeeded in positioning Kenitra as a leading industrial site for Stellantis and making it a key contributor to our bold ambition in the Middle East and Africa region, leveraging the potential of the platform which is going to be at the heart of our vehicle offering in the region by 2030," said Samir Cherfan.
"Stellantis in Morocco is positioned as an important contributor to the country's automotive industry. The production of the Opel Rocks-e will benefit from an ecosystem of local suppliers and a talented and diverse team at the Africa Technical Centre and the Kenitra plant," he added.
This facility will provide a major boost to the automotive sector and facilitate the shift towards electric cars to reduce carbon emissions. Morocco is committed to this project, not only because of the benefits to be gained, but also because of its cobalt reserves, an essential element for the manufacture of electric batteries.
