Growing electric potential in small format

A report by ICEX, Spain Export and Investment, the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Casablanca on the seventh edition of the Tangier Automotive Subcontracting Show, held from 29 November to 1 December 2023, notes the objective of increasing the number of vehicles produced in Morocco to one million cars. It also aims to double car exports by 2025.

The Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mazour, pointed out that the current objective is to make Morocco the ‘most competitive carbon-free automotive platform in the world and to increase the local integration rate from 64% to 80%. To this end, part of renewable energies will be put at the service of industrialists within the framework of an offer at very competitive prices’. The Moroccan government is working to strengthen the added value of the industrial fabric and deepen local integration: identifying new investment opportunities (current and future). The show was attended by Rachid Smakho, director of the Renault Group's ecosystem in Morocco, and Mounir Kharbouche, the CEO of Stellantis in Kenitra.

The Stellantis plant in Kenitra celebrated five years of activity in June and after starting with the thermal version of the Peugeot 208, has introduced the electric microcar platform with the Citroën Ami, the Opel Rocks e and the Fiat Topolino, with a length of 2.4 metres, width of almost 1.4 metres and height of just over 1.5 metres. The adventure of these microcars began with the Ami, a light quadricycle that does not require a type B driving licence. An AM licence, which can be applied for from the age of 15, is sufficient. On sale since April 2020, the Citroën Ami has passed the 50,000-customer mark in 14 countries. Orders for the new Ami range were taken between late May and early June, depending on the country.
 

Sustainable micro-mobility

On the technical side, its 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, one of the most advanced technologies on the market, allows full recharging in just three hours with a standard 220 V plug thanks to the on-board cable. The battery is located under the passenger compartment floor for maximum interior space. The cable is cleverly stowed in the passenger side door. In addition, Ami can also be recharged at a charging point via an adapted cable (optional) or at a public electric station. Its 6 kW motor allows it to reach a speed of 45 km/h, so it cannot be driven on motorways or dual carriageways.

In terms of design, the exterior ensures a high level of comfort inside. Its large glass surfaces and panoramic roof make it possible to enjoy 360˚ views of the city in a comfortable, enclosed and perfectly air-conditioned passenger compartment. In May 2024, it was announced that Ami has received a new Night Sepia paint finish, which replaces the original colour and gives it a warm, robust and gratifying appearance. To complement this, the Citroën Ami range is evolving by merging the range-topping Tonic and Pop versions to create the Peps version, a combination of contrasts, graphics and touches of colour, as well as equipment to make everyday life easier. For professional use, My Cargo Kit is a new smart module available as an accessory that replaces the Cargo version, providing a practical and functional cargo space that can also be folded down to carry two people.

On the same platform, the Opel Rocks e was inspired by the design proposals of a social media campaign. The Rocks-e Design Challenge is a unique way for young people to get in touch with Opel,’ said Mark Adams, Vice President Design at Opel. The open design competition will also generate greater awareness and enthusiasm for the unique Rocks-e’. The model also features a professional version, KARGO, as well as an off-road Extreme reinterpretation with special shock absorbers consisting of an aluminium coil-over strut combined with a 50 mm spring system.

From the same base, Fiat revives an iconic model from 1936 to 1955, the 100% electric Topolino, with a range of 75 km and a top speed of 45 km/h. The chrome, round headlights and front and rear bumpers immediately recall the original Topolino, which was followed in the 1950s by the classic Fiat 500 and 600. The chrome trim, round headlights and front and rear bumpers immediately recall the original Topolino, which was succeeded in the 1950s by the classic Fiat 500 and 600. At its launch, brand sources emphasised that it is ‘a further step in the brand's drive towards electrification and is perfectly in line with Fiat's vision of “It's only green when it's green for everyone”.

Introduction to electrification

The aforementioned ICEX report reported that the Renault plant in Tangiers was introducing electrification to the Mobilize Duo model, which will start production this summer. Until now and at present, the plant, active since 2012, has focused on the Sandero and Sandero Stepway models. In relation to the innovations presented by Renault, production will begin this summer at its Tangier plant of an electric vehicle dedicated to shared mobility, Mobilize Duo, which will be presented at the Mondial de Paris, from 14 to 18 October. This project will kick-start the introduction of electrification technologies for the carmaker's manufacturing in Morocco, according to Mohamed Bachiri, Renault's general manager. Tangier is also a key factory for the Dacia brand with models such as Sandero, Sandero Stepway and this year also hybrid Jogger.

In September 2023, at the Madrid Electric Vehicle Show (VEM), Filippo Rivanera, COO of Mobilize Beyond Automotive, told AutoRevista that ‘Duo is the flag that will allow the Mobilize concept to gain consistency. We are Renault Group's fourth brand, offering solutions to facilitate the new urban mobility, an ecological, sustainable and flexible mobility, and this brand fits into this equation. We represent a complement to the Group's other brands, Renault, Dacia and Alpine’.

Rivanera commented on the two versions of Duo, noting that ‘the L6 without a licence is not just for young people and has a different use with a speed limit of 45 kilometres per hour. We are anticipating the progressive reduction of speed in cities, bearing in mind that with a conventional vehicle it is complicated to drive at 30 kilometres per hour. On the other hand, it opens up a niche for Renault Group in terms of under-age customers aged 16 and over, as well as for older customers looking for safety in their vehicle. There is also the option of a licence holder with a maximum speed of 90 kilometres per hour. With scissor-opening doors, Duo has a range of over 140 km, is rechargeable from a domestic socket and is available in both licence and non-licence holder versions”.

The Mobilize family also includes Bento, designed for professional customers who need a compact, practical and safe vehicle for the delivery of goods and services (repairs, maintenance, personal services, on-demand deliveries, etc.) in urban and peri-urban areas where the demands in terms of respect for the environment and space occupied are increasing. It is an eco-responsible vehicle, designed with 50% recycled materials, a range of 140 kilometres and a top speed of 80 km/h. It is equipped with an airbag.

The 360º vision of a Tier 1 company like Saint Gobain Sekurit

From Saint Gobain Sekurit, they note that ‘the automotive sector in Morocco has experienced sustained growth in the last decade, surpassing year after year both its production and export figures. Since 2010, this strategic sector has positioned Morocco as a leader in the automotive industry in Africa. With a production capacity of more than 700,000 vehicles per year, it continues to expand, with the potential to reach one million vehicles per year by 2025. The automotive sector, which accounts for 22% of the country's GDP, is also one of the leading export sectors. More than 250 companies involved in the manufacture of vehicles or their components currently operate in the country, employing 220,000 people. It is worth highlighting the strategy of the Moroccan government to facilitate the establishment of companies seeking to relocate their production to lower-cost countries such as Morocco, by granting subsidies and speeding up all the necessary procedures for the establishment of new factories on Moroccan territory’.

Saint Gobain Sekurit Maroc was the first OES glass manufacturer to set up in Morocco, starting its activities in 2008, following the installation of Renault in Tangier. It was also one of the pioneering companies to set up in the Kenitra Free Zone. ‘From our close relationship as an OEM partner, we have contributed to the development of the automotive sector in Morocco, with our collaboration being key in the development of the first electric cars, both for Stellantis (producing all the glass for Citroën AMI, Fiat Topolino and Opel Rocks-e) and, more recently, for Renault's Mobilize range. Our commitment and involvement in decarbonisation and the circular economy for the sector in Morocco is a priority for Sekurit. Since 2018 our activity has been expanding and includes supplies to other customers in Europe.’ 

“As part of Saint Gobain Sekurit, our activity in Morocco safeguards the same high standards that we maintain for all our customers, regardless of their location. Our plant has all the approvals and certifications required by this industry. Aware of the characteristics of a sector as competitive and constantly evolving as the automotive industry, we strive every day to maintain excellence in service to all our customers, while guaranteeing premium quality in our products. Aware of the importance of our role in the sector, we support and contribute to the local integration of the supply chain by working with local suppliers. The selection of local suppliers in Morocco follows the same rigorous criteria that we apply to the selection of suppliers in any other country in the world. Our activity in Morocco meets the same global standards and requirements of our Group in terms of sustainability that apply to our activities in any region of the world’.

Looking ahead, ‘the growth of the sector in Morocco is expected to continue in the coming years, following the expansion of existing OEM capacities and the progressive development of the supply chain, incorporating the range of electric vehicles. At Saint Gobain Sekurit, we are ready to meet the demands and needs of other OEMs that may set up in Morocco in the coming years’.

Lea este artículo en castellano

Article published in AutoRevista 2.394