Morocco has emerged as a world power in the automotive export sector, becoming the European Union’s main supplier. Car exports expanded by a remarkable 30% last year, with production topping 535,000 cars. This success is the result of strategic investment and sound policies aimed at excellence, according to a report by the specialist portal Eurasia Review.
A solid infrastructure of modern plants, industrial complexes and a skilled workforce, combined with lower production costs, has boosted annual car production to unprecedented levels. These factors have propelled automotive production to unprecedented levels, consolidating the Kingdom’s position in the sector.
On the economic front, the automotive sector has “contributed over $13 billion to the Kingdom’s budget, as a beacon of progress and potential, enabling Morocco to embody the transformative force of wise leadership and strategic planning to drive economic growth and social progress, through the Investment Charter and the Industrial Acceleration Plan 2014-2020”.
What has further boosted Morocco’s chances in this direction, according to the report, is its strategic position opposite its European neighbor, Spain, as a gateway from Africa to Europe. “This geographical feature, together with concerted efforts to strengthen infrastructure and simplify trade agreements, have strengthened Morocco as a key player in the automotive industry, engaging alongside its economic successes in social integration and environmental sustainability,” the report reports.
Efforts in this area have led, according to the source, to a narrowing of the gender gap in the automotive sector, with tangible results thanks to a steady increase in integration rates, making the kingdom a pioneer in green technology and innovation, attracting global industry giants to the country, such as New Motors, SNOB and Renault-Dacia, as well as Stellantis.
As a reminder, Stellantis had begun operations at the Kénitra plant in June 2019 following its inauguration by King Mohammed VI. The great success of this plant led to a desire to expand.
The group had announced its intention to invest more than 300 million euros to double production capacity to 450,000 vehicles a year and launch new automotive products including electric cars.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares stated a few months ago that the aim of this investment in the Kenitra plant would be to make it “Stellantis’ third engine” in the Middle East and Africa region, in addition to North America and Europe.
Carlos Tavares had announced the doubling of production capacity at his Kenitra plant, with the ambition of producing 450,000 cars a year, including both internal combustion and electric vehicles. The expansion is expected to create 2,000 jobs in addition to the current 3,000.
