The SOMACA factory in Casablanca officially launched production of the Renault Kardian on November 8, a compact SUV intended for local and international markets. This launch was marked by the presence of Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Commerce (MIC), Mohamed Bachiri, General Director of Renault Group Maroc, as well as other representatives of the brand.
The Kardian, the first of eight new models introduced as part of the “Renault International Game Plan 2027”, reinforces the strategic role of Morocco for Renault. With this project, the Kingdom becomes a key industrial platform for the group, contributing to its global export strategy. Indeed, Morocco, the second largest production country for Renault, today represents 17% of the group’s global sales, highlighting its growing importance on the international scene.
The industrialization of the Renault Kardian at SOMACA involved a technological upgrade to meet international standards. The factory has integrated the “Bi-Ton” painting process, a first in Morocco, allowing bodywork to be painted with two distinct shades, thus offering a more diversified design to customers. Local teams, having completed more than 6,000 hours of training, contributed to this technological advancement, managing the painting, sheet metal and assembly processes.
The production of the Renault Kardian at SOMACA supports the Renault group’s ambition to increase its production capacity in Morocco. This year, SOMACA plans to exceed 100,000 vehicles produced, a record for the factory. By 2025, Renault plans to reach a capacity of 500,000 vehicles per year in Morocco, with a forecast of 120,000 vehicles produced by the end of 2024. The Renault Kardian, “Made in Morocco”, will be available in Morocco from December 2024 and intended for export to around fifteen countries, notably the Gulf States, several African countries, as well as Ukraine and Guadeloupe.
