Increasing production of electric light commercial vehicles by Stellantis
In a significant move to bolster its presence in Africa, Stellantis has announced an ambitious expansion plan for its Kenitra assembly plant in Morocco. The goal is to more than double the facility’s annual production capacity, from approximately 230,000 vehicles to a staggering 535,000 vehicles per year [1][3]. This €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) investment is set to create around 3,100 new direct jobs [2].
The expansion, heavily oriented towards electric vehicle (EV) production, will see the production of supermini electric cars such as the Opel Rocks-e, Citroën Ami, and Fiat Topolino increase from 20,000 to 70,000 units annually [1][3]. The plant will also manufacture hybrid engines and venture into new vehicle categories, including three-wheeled vehicles like the Fiat Tris, available in chassis-cab, flatbed, and pickup configurations [2]. Production of 350,000 engines per year is scheduled to commence in May 2025 [2].
As part of its broader electrification strategy, Stellantis has also announced plans to produce 204,000 electric vehicle charging stations at the Kenitra plant [2]. This move supports the growing demand for EV infrastructure in both local and export markets.
The expansion aims to increase the local sourcing rate from 69% to 75% by 2030 [2][3]. This aligns with Morocco’s national industrial strategy to strengthen local value chains and enhance the competitiveness of its automotive sector [2]. The project is expected to help Morocco’s total automotive production capacity exceed one million vehicles annually [2][3].
The Kenitra plant will primarily supply European and North African markets [3]. Moroccan automotive exports grew by 6.3% to $17 billion last year, reflecting the sector’s increasing importance to the national economy [1][3].
Here's a summary of the key expansion details:
| Aspect | Current (Pre-Expansion) | Post-Expansion Target | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------| | Annual Vehicle Capacity | ~230,000 | 535,000 | | EV Supermini Production | 20,000 | 70,000 | | Engine Production | Not specified | 350,000 (from May 2025) | | Charging Stations | Not specified | 204,000 | | Local Sourcing Rate | 69% | 75% (by 2030) | | New Jobs Created | — | 3,100 | | Investment | — | €1.2 billion | | New Models | — | Opel Rocks-e, Citroën Ami, Fiat Topolino, Fiat Tris (3-wheel) |
Stellantis’ Kenitra plant expansion represents a strategic pivot towards massive electrification, local manufacturing integration, and diversification into new vehicle segments, including three-wheelers and charging infrastructure. This positions Morocco as a critical node in Stellantis’ global EV supply chain and bolsters the country’s automotive export ambitions [1][2].
- The Kenitra assembly plant in Morocco, following Stellantis' expansion, aims to produce 535,000 vehicles annually, with a focus on electric vehicle (EV) production, such as the Opel Rocks-e, Citroën Ami, and Fiat Topolino.
- In addition to EVs, the plant will manufacture hybrid engines and venture into new vehicle categories, including three-wheeled vehicles like the Fiat Tris.
- Stellantis also plans to produce 204,000 electric vehicle charging stations at the Kenitra plant to cater to the growing demand for EV infrastructure in both local and export markets.
- As part of its strategy, Stellantis seeks to increase the local sourcing rate from 69% to 75% by 2030, aligning with Morocco’s national industrial strategy to strengthen local value chains and enhance the competitiveness of its automotive sector.
