Renault plans to build a factory in Algeria as part of its push for expansion in Africa. Renault will start production of its low-cost Symbol model in Algeria during the second half of 2014, from which date it will also enjoy a three-year exclusivity agreement in the country.
The deal will see initial Symbol production – based on the latest generation Logan – with a starting capacity for all vehicles of 25,000 per year rising to a possible 75,000.
The agreement will start in the second semester of 2014. The deal will give exclusivity for Renault in the Algerian market which means no other automobile maker can come in and build an assembly plant. The exclusivity period starts at the start of production. This deal has been under negotiation for three years and will create around 350 jobs in Algeria to start with.
The factory – at Oued Tielat near the port of Oran – was chosen says Renault due to the proximity of the harbour, the road network and a qualified local labour force.
Renault abandoned its last Algerian factory after the former French colony’s 1962 independence led to nationalization seven years later. The new plant deal would make Renault the first carmaker to restore local production.
New-car sales in Algeria increased 46.5 percent in the first half to 225,000 vehicles. Renault is the best-selling brand in the country with 67,132 vehicle sales in the first 10 months, followed by Peugeot at 54,500, Hyundai at 43,260 and Dacia at 32,918.
22 Dec 2012
0
