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RENAULT IN MOROCCO

Renault has been present in Morocco for over 80 years. It is No. 1 on the Moroccan market with the Dacia and Renault brands. In 2012, the Renault-Nissan Alliance inaugurated a new plant in Tangier. The Group already had a production unit in Casablanca (SOMACA).

No. 1 on a growing market 

The Renault group is No. 1 on the Moroccan car market, with more than 41,000 vehicles sold in 2011. The Dacia and Renault brands rank first and second, with market share of 19.9% and 17% respectively.

 

In 2011, vehicle sales in Morocco topped the 112,000 mark. The number of cars on the road is estimated at 1.5 million, with an average age of between 9 and 10. Although limited, the Moroccan automotive market is growing strongly.

Historic presence  

Koleos on Moroccan roads

In February 2008, Renault celebrated 80 years in Morocco. Renault has always been a key player on this market and since 2000 has sought to strengthen its strategy. For example, it successfully introduced the Dacia brand, with the models Logan and Logan MCV, followed by Sandero and Duster.

 

Renault also stepped up its product offensive. Now almost its entire range is available for Moroccan customers. That includes Fluence, Scénic, Latitude and sportier models Clio and Mégane R.S. 

SOMACA: the plant producing Logan and Kangoo  

Casablanca

The SOMACA plant is located south-east of Casablanca and the Group is the majority shareholder (with 80%). The facility meets EAQF “A” quality standards and also holds ISO 14001 environmental certification. Its 1,200 employees and two production lines build Kangoo and Kangoo Express for the local market, and Logan (Dacia) for export to French and Spanish markets. Since 2009, SOMACA is also manufacturing Sandero.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance plant: an ambitious industrial complex 

In 2012, production at the Tangier plant begins with two new Entry models: the new family car, Lodgy, and a small van which will also be available in passenger car form. In addition to permitting higher production volumes, the new factory will enable the Entry range to expand. It will ensure that the Renault Group is in a position to meet its customers’ growing demand for entry level vehicles which are acclaimed for their unprecedented value for money. In addition, its geographical location is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea at the heart of the Tangier Med Port area which benefits not only from an extensive network of competitive suppliers, but also from a pool of highly qualified staff with trained to modern automotive production techniques.

 

Designed from the start to meet the standards of the Renault Group's environmental policy, the facility is the fruit of a unique partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco, Renault and Veolia Environnement.

CO2 emissions have been slashed by 98% compared to an equivalent factory with a production capacity of 400,000 vehicles per year, a feat which represents an annual saving of 135,000 tonnes of CO2. The factory won’t discharge any industrial wastewater into the environment, either while the total amount of water necessary for manufacturing has been reduced by 70%.

 

Lastly, an ambitious staff training programme has been put into place to ensure the highest possible standards with regard to quality and performance. To provide training for factory staff and suppliers alike, Renault and Morocco jointly founded the IFMIA (Institut de Formation aux Métiers de l’Automobile) which is funded entirely by the Moroccan state. Meanwhile, Renault’s Global Training Center (GTC) in Flins, France, has provided training for 168 people involved with the project (training, management and technical staff).