Chinese auto parts manufacturer Ningbo Gaofa Automotive Control System plans to establish its first industrial base outside Asia in Morocco, attracted by the kingdom’s growing role as a global automotive production hub and gateway to European markets.
The Shanghai-listed group said it would set up a wholly owned subsidiary, Gaofa Automotive Control System (Morocco), with an investment of up to $20 million, marking a key step in its international expansion strategy.
The planned facility will produce automotive control systems, including gear-shift mechanisms, electronic accelerator pedals and cables, supplying major global clients such as Renault and Stellantis, both of which operate assembly plants in Morocco.
Ningbo Gaofa’s move underscores Morocco’s rising attractiveness as a manufacturing base for car parts suppliers seeking proximity to European customers and lower production costs. The company has cited the country’s competitive labor, industrial incentives and strategic location as central to its decision.
Morocco has in recent years become a magnet for automotive component manufacturers, particularly from China, as suppliers reposition global supply chains closer to Europe.
This influx of suppliers is being pulled by Morocco’s established automotive ecosystem, anchored by Renault in Tangier and Stellantis in Kenitra, and reinforced by strong export performance that has made the country Africa’s leading auto manufacturing hub.
Beyond conventional auto parts, Morocco is also positioning itself in the electric vehicle supply chain, particularly in battery production.
A landmark project led by China’s Gotion High-Tech will see the construction of Africa’s first EV battery gigafactory in Kenitra, backed by an investment of about $5.6 billion, with initial production capacity of 20 GWh expected to start in 2026 and expand significantly over time.
Other Chinese companies- including BTR, CNGR and Hailiang- have also announced investments in battery materials and components in Morocco, signalling the emergence of a broader EV ecosystem.
Morocco’s combination of trade agreements, renewable energy capacity and proximity to Europe is helping it evolve from an assembly base into a full-spectrum automotive and mobility hub, spanning parts manufacturing, vehicle production and increasingly, electric vehicle technologies.
