Audi targets growth in N Africa, opens plant in Algeria

Audi and its longstanding importer SOVAC today opened the assembly of three models in Algeria. As of now, the Audi A3 Sportback, the A3 Sedan and the Audi Q2 will drive off the assembly line in Relizane, the capital of the province of the same name.

Production is initially planned for an annual capacity of approximately 3,000 cars of the Audi brand. The SOVAC Production Algerie plant has been producing Volkswagen Group automobiles since 2017.

The production line for the local production of the Audi A3 and Q2 model series was started by Peter Will, Head of Planning and Steering of CKD/MKD/SKD Projects at Audi AG, and Mourad Oulmi, CEO of SOVAC S.P.A.. “This entry into the Group’s multi-brand factory is a logical step into the Algerian growth market,” stated Will.

“By specifically training local employees, we are ensuring Audi quality and utilizing synergies with the other Group brands in production and logistics, laying the foundation for continued growth in North Africa,” he added.

Mourad Oulmi, CEO of SOVAC S.P.A., said: “We are very proud that we will produce premium automobiles for the first time with Audi in Algeria, thus meeting the demand from our customers. I am particularly grateful to Audi, which has been working for months to re-launch the brand in the Algerian market together with Sovac. After more than 10 years of partnership, we are entering a new era of cooperation.”

In 2017, SOVAC Production S.P.A. Algerie built a production facility on a 150-hectare site in the Relizane region, 220 kilometers west of Algiers. Daily production capacity has gradually increased to approximately 200 cars. The Volkswagen Golf, Polo, Tiguan, Passat and Caddy, Škoda Octavia, Rapid and Fabia and Seat Ibiza, Arona, Leon and Ateca models are assembled at the plant.