Commerce minister: we rely on Volkswagen to set up real cars industry

Algeria’s commerce minister Abdelhafid Sassi called on Sovac group to start making cars in Algeria. “The government’s policy is based on going for a real car manufacturing, technology transfer, manpower training, spare parts manufacturing and exporting,” he said.

“We had kicked off the first stage. Now, it is necessary to support cars making and start a new stage as soon as possible,” he added as he inaugurated a Volkswagen plant in the province of Ghelizane.

The minister also said Algeria has a historic relation with Volkswagen which is known for high quality cars.

“Volkswagen has high sales. Because of that, it should establish real cars manufacturing. This would be done through a clear strategy based on manufacturing and not just assembly,” he added.

“Algeria should be a pole for cars making, technology transfer and then exporting.”

According to the minister, cars plant specifications will be released soon.

Sovac’s Director: we built a plant and started assembly in 200 days only

Sovac’s Director Mourad Almi said Volkswagen plant in Ghelizane comes as part of the government’s endeavour to develop industrial actions and find alternatives to hydrocarbons.

“We deal with cars making No 1 in the world. Authorities gave us hundreds of hectares of lands not to sow potatoes but to set up real cars investment,” he added.

“This will be done though examined steps. Algeria will be the first African pole for cars making within few years,” he also said.

According to Sovac’s Director, a large number of foreign investors will make spare parts in Algeria.

“We started receiving many offers. Algeria won the challenge by making the first Spanish car out of Spain. It also brought the biggest cars maker in the world to invest in Algeria,” he said.

Ghelizane’s plant was built in a record time. It will be reinforced by big assembly workshops. Hundreds of workers will be trained. The plant will be a start point to export spare parts to African countries,” he added.