Attajdid: Renault Eyes Annual 30,000 Car Production in Morocco as of July 2005

French car maker Renault, which consolidated recently its stand in Morocco by purchasing the state-owned part in the national car company SOMACA, eyes an annual production of 30,000 cars in the kingdom, including 15,000 units for the local market at only 70,000 Dirhams (around $7,500), said minister of industry, trade and telecommunications, Rachid Talbi Alami.

Renault, which became last July the largest shareholder in SOMACA after purchasing the state's 38% shares for 95 million DH (US$ 10 million) in addition to the initial 12%, needed some time (between January 2004 and July 2005) to concretize its L90 "family vehicle" project, Talbi Alamai told the daily in Arabic "Attajdid."

Renault-Maroc and Sopriam, an affiliate of Morocco's conglomerate "ONA" signe Tuesday an agreement to produce and start marketing three low-cost cars in SOMACA's plant, after Fiat-Auto car maker will cease its activities in Morocco.

An annual production of 9,000 to 10,000 Citroen-Berlingo and Peugeot-partner, two brands used both as family and utility cars, is projected. These vehicles will be sold at about 110,000 Dirhams (around US$ 10,000), which is 12 to 15% cheaper than prices applied so far. The new Renault-Kangoo will be sold at a unit price of 110,900 DH (around US$ 11,000).