Renault is developing a future Dacia model at its Tangier plant.

Renault Prepares New Industrial Phase in Morocco with Strategic Vehicle Production for Dacia

The Renault Group is set to embark on a new industrial phase in Morocco, focusing on the production of a future strategic vehicle for Dacia. The Tangier plant, located in Melloussa, is currently undergoing preparatory work for this program, in close collaboration with engineers from Renault Technologie Maroc (RTMA). This new phase highlights Morocco’s increasing role in the industrial organization of the French automaker, particularly in the transition from vehicle design to production.

Recently, Thierry Charvet, director of industry, quality, and supply chain at Renault, along with Philippe Brunet, group technology director, visited the Tangier site to assess its level of readiness. Their visit focused on the upcoming industrial steps and the technical resources required for launching this new automotive program, which has been deemed important for both Dacia and the entire group.

Tangier Plant Gears Up for New Industrial Program

During the visit, Thierry Charvet noted that the group is laying the foundations for the industrialization of a future vehicle in Tangier. While the specifics of the model and the launch timeline remain undisclosed, officials emphasized the preparation of facilities, team coordination, and the adaptation of production methods.

The Melloussa plant currently operates two assembly lines, producing over 1,000 vehicles daily. The site also employs digital tools designed to enhance the monitoring of industrial operations.

Among these tools is Plant Connect, recently implemented in the assembly workshop. This solution allows for real-time tracking of both production lines and supports teams in their continuous performance improvement efforts. For Renault, this digitization is expected to strengthen operational control and prepare the site for the demands of a new automotive program.

Renault Technologie Maroc at the Heart of Industrialization

Renault Technologie Maroc plays a crucial role in this preparation. Established in March 2025, it has two complementary locations: a headquarters in the Tétouan Shore business park, dedicated to technological functions, and a branch directly within the Melloussa plant.

This proximity to the assembly lines enables engineers to collaborate closely with manufacturing teams, facilitating coordination between product engineering, industrial process design, and industrialization operations.

According to Philippe Brunet, the center’s focus includes finding competitive solutions, controlling costs, improving quality, and managing the transition from design to manufacturing. Its teams also participate in the industrial choices for the future vehicle and in building relationships with local suppliers.

The preparation for this new program thus enhances interactions between technical departments and workshops while mobilizing the network of suppliers located in the Tangier area, whose contributions will be critical in meeting the automaker’s industrial requirements.

Morocco’s Growing Importance in Renault’s Organization

This evolution occurs against the backdrop of a global reorganization of the group’s engineering activities. In April 2026, Renault announced a plan to reduce its engineering workforce by 15 to 20 percent over two years, translating to between 1,600 and 2,400 positions out of an estimated total of 11,000 to 12,000 engineers.

In this new structure, the group’s French, Indian, and Romanian centers will retain complete model design, while the Moroccan hub is expected to play a significant role in their industrialization and transition to production.

The development of local skills and the closer integration of engineering teams with industrial units are thus vital levers for preparing future programs. For Morocco, this development represents an opportunity to strengthen its position in the automotive value chain, beyond mere assembly operations.

It also aligns with a strategy aimed at enhancing industrial competitiveness, optimizing production costs, and increasing the integration of local suppliers.

Tangier Produced Nearly 300,000 Vehicles in 2025

Inaugurated in February 2012, the Renault plant in Tangier produced 299,395 vehicles in 2025. Of this total, 282,498 units were exported, accounting for approximately 95% of production.

The group’s second unit in Morocco, the Société marocaine de construction automobile (Somaca), located in Casablanca, assembled 95,079 vehicles during the same year. Together, both sites produced a total of 394,474 units, which marked a nearly 5% decline compared to 2024.

The Melloussa plant notably manufactures the Dacia Sandero, one of the best-selling models to private customers in Europe since 2017, as well as the Dacia Jogger, whose hybrid version has been produced in Morocco since July 2024. The site also assembles the Renault Express utility vehicle and the electric quadricycles Mobilize Duo and Bento.

This diversity of models illustrates the site’s capacity to accommodate various categories of vehicles and to adapt its production lines to evolving demand and automotive technologies.

Renault Aims for 80% Local Integration by 2030

By the end of 2025, Renault aims to increase its installed industrial capacity in Morocco to over 500,000 vehicles per year. The group also plans to achieve a local integration rate of 80% by 2030.

To support this goal, the automaker has set aside a purchasing volume of three billion euros from Moroccan suppliers, equivalent to approximately 32.3 billion dirhams.

The preparation of the future model in Tangier aligns with this trajectory. Enhancing engineering skills, fostering cooperation between technical teams and manufacturing workshops, and involving the local industrial fabric could significantly increase the added value produced in Morocco.

However, the identity of the vehicle and the specifics of its launch remain to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the ongoing work in Melloussa underscores Renault’s commitment to preparing for its upcoming industrial phases by leveraging the production capabilities and technical expertise developed in the Kingdom.