The first Moroccan car manufacturer and the prototype of a hydrogen vehicle developed by a Moroccan, two innovative projects that will strengthen the promotion of the “Made In Morocco” Label and consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a competitive automotive production platform
Morocco is currently witnessing a significant shift in its industrial ecosystem, with two groundbreaking projects leading the charge. These initiatives, which are a source of national pride, are heading into a new era of innovation and sustainability.
These projects align perfectly with the Royal High Orientations of King Mohammed VI. The King’s vision is to steer the private sector towards productive investments, particularly in advanced and future sectors. This strategy aims to stimulate the emergence of a new generation of companies in the Kingdom, thereby fostering economic growth and development.
On May 15, 2023, King Mohammed VI was presented with two remarkable products of this vision. The first was a car from Neo Motors, a company owned by the Moroccan capital. The second was a prototype of a hydrogen vehicle, the Hydrogen Utility Vehicle (HUV), from NamX, a company led by Moroccan-French businessman Faouzi Annajah.
Neo Motors is currently establishing an industrial complex in Ain Aouda, just outside the capital, Rabat. This facility will manufacture vehicles for both the local market and export, creating over 500 job opportunities. With an annual production capacity of 27,000 units and a budget of MAD 156 million (US$15 million), the Neo project is set to make a significant impact on the automotive industry.
In February, the Moroccan Agency for Road Safety granted final approval for Neo Motors’ first vehicle. The company has since launched pre-production, with the plant’s inauguration scheduled for June 2023. The first “made in Morocco” car is set to be sold in the local market at an average price of MAD 170,000 (US$15,000).
The other project, the NamX prototype hydrogen vehicle, is set to be released in 2025. This initiative is a response to the rising demand for hydrogen and hybrid cars amid the international shift towards clean energy sources and decarbonization. The HUV model will be equipped with a central hydrogen tank, complemented by six removable capsules to deliver a high driving range and facilitate quick hydrogen refueling in a few minutes.
Morocco is currently the leading car manufacturer in Africa. Over the first three months of 2023, exports from Morocco’s automotive industry reached US$3.4 billion, marking a 44% year-on-year increase.
In September 2022, Morocco launched an ambitious industrial plan aiming to scale up electric car production capacity within two years. The plan’s target is a yearly production of 100,000 units in the span of two to three years, double the current production input.
Morocco’s ambition to emerge as a hub for electric car production is emboldened by the country’s significant capacity in the field of green hydrogen production. These initiatives underline the Sovereign’s willingness to encourage and promote the pioneering national entrepreneurial initiatives and the creative capacities, particularly of the Moroccan youth, that these projects embody.