French newspaper “Le Dauphiné libéré” has described Morocco as “the new Eldorado” for automotive manufacturers.
The newspaper reported that the automotive manufacturing sector is making the North African country’s automotive industry contribution a “pillar of the Moroccan economy” and the “leading export sector.”
Morocco already attracts major French automakers, with Renault leading the pack. Renault’s largest factory worldwide operates in Tangier, spanning 300 hectares, where 7,000 employees assemble various models, including the Dacia Sandero — Europe’s best-selling car.
Franco-Italian-American group Stellantis has also invested in Morocco, relocating part of its production to a factory in Kenitra.
Chinese company Sentury Tyres, specializing in tire manufacturing, has established operations in the country as well.
Renault maintains another production site in Casablanca that manufactures the Dacia Sandero 3 (over 69,000 units) for the European market.
In 2023, Moroccan factories produced approximately 470,000 vehicles destined for Europe — surpassing China’s export volume to the continent, according to a Team France Export report. Europe represents Morocco’s primary market, with 80% of new vehicle exports crossing the Mediterranean.
Regarding Stellantis’ Kenitra factory, the Franco-Italian-American group announced that at least 400,000 vehicles should roll off the production line by 2027. This Atlantic-adjacent facility produces the Fiat 500, Peugeot 208, and Citroen Ami.
The Chinese company Sentury Tyres has also turned to Morocco for its tire production. Local component manufacturing “can allow automakers to further reduce production costs,” especially as the country aims to capitalize on the growing electric vehicle market by 2030.
Morocco’s automotive industry success stems largely from competitive labor costs, strategic location near European markets, and government initiatives to attract foreign investment in the sector.
Polisario Ignored, Isolated, and Irrelevant at AU-EU Summit
Polisario’s failed attempt to hijack the meeting’s agenda only made their lack of status more obvious.
Rabat – The European Union delivered a significant diplomatic setback to the Polisario Front during the AU-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels today, firmly reiterating its refusal to recognize or engage with the separatist group and indicating it has no political recognition or place in Europe.
Despite managing to attend the meeting under the African Union’s umbrella, the separatist group faced visible humiliation, silence, and total disregard from the EU and its member states.
Its presence at today’s meeting was made possible only through the African Union, where they hold observer status. While coming to the gathering as uninvited and unnoticed guests, Polisario delegates desperately hoped to use the event as a platform to gain visibility and challenge the growing support for Morocco’s autonomy plan. But they instead faced a harsh political reality: rejection, invisibility, and symbolic isolation.
Ahead of the meeting, the EU reaffirmed its official stance, with its spokesperson for foreign affairs saying that “neither the EU nor any of its member states recognize the so-called ‘rasd.’” The EU also denied having sent any invitation to the separatist representatives, denying any misinterpretation or exploitation by the group and its backers.
Once in Brussels, the separatists realized their strategy had backfired, as there were no flags, no nameplates, and no official recognition of any kind for the self-styled “Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” (SADR). While ministers from legitimate African states received full protocol honors, Polisario representative had to settle for a hastily written “sadr” label on a piece of white paper, an unmistakable sign of marginalization.
Instead of gaining attention, the separatists were deliberately ignored, with their seating being in a back corner, barely visible behind EU and AU flags.
No official photos were taken with them, and no interactions occurred between them and any EU official or European state representative. Their only visible ally was the Algerian Foreign Minister, who walked into the meeting with them and was the only participant to acknowledge their presence.
The most symbolic moment came when the separatist representative was granted a few seconds to speak by the Angolan co-chair. As he began, the EU’s High Representative, who was co-chairing the session, stood up and left the room. It was a clear and public message indicating that the separatist entity has no place in official EU political dialogue.
The illusion of victory
Polisario backers might argue that their physical presence at the meeting is a sign of success. In reality, however, it was a clear diplomatic defeat. And the EU managed to transform what could have been a propaganda moment into a display of total political rejection.
From beginning to end, the EU treated the matter as an internal AU issue. It made no gesture, neither direct nor symbolic, that could be interpreted as a form of recognition, as Polisario was hoping. Instead, it allowed the AU to carry the weight of the separatists’ presence while it stood firm on its position.
The separatists left Brussels with nothing to show for their efforts. Their failed attempt to hijack the agenda only made their lack of status more obvious.
Meanwhile, the EU continues to show strong support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, which is backed by an increasing number of European countries.
