Automotive: Canadian Magna Builds Mirrors Plant in Morocco

Magna, one of Canada’s largest automobile parts manufacturers, has launched construction works for the building of a new facility in Kenitra, Morocco, to supply global automakers with exterior and interior mirror systems.

The 61,400-square-foot facility represents an investment of $11.3 million by Magna and is expected to create up to 275 jobs. Production at the new plant is projected to begin in spring 2020.

“Expanding into Morocco is a strategic move for Magna, as our customers continue to grow in the region,” said John O’Hara, president Magna Mechatronics, Mirrors and Lighting. “We also value the high level of skilled employees and engineering talent in the region”, he added.

Morocco offers a competitive export-focused production base for global automakers. The government of theNorth African country seeks to build one million vehicles per year by 2025. Morocco has been successful in attracting automakers and investment in new production plants to achieve that goal.

Magna leads the market for advanced mirror technology and innovation. With this new facility, the company expands its reach in enhancing driver experiences through intelligent vision systems.

The facility marks the company’s second location in Morocco, following the formation of a Casablanca-based engineering joint venture with Altran Technologies SA in 2018.

Morocco’s automotive industry is growing at a rapid pace due to incentives and competitive factors attracting more and more investors and car parts makers.

These factors include Morocco’s proximity to the European market, modern infrastructures, free trade zones, qualified manpower, open economy and stability.

The government also aspires to increase the proportion of locally produced components in exported cars from 40% to 65% by the end of the decade.