Industry minister reviews JAC Motors plant in Aïn Témouchent

Farid Kourtel, Minister of Industry, received the officials of Emin Auto on Tuesday evening to assess progress at the vehicle plant in Aïn Témouchent wilaya.

Algérie 360 reported that the ministry made the content of the meeting public. The ministry said the aim was to measure, on the ground, where the Tamazoura site stands.

Emin Auto is the Algerian partner of the Chinese carmaker JAC Motors. The talks covered an overall review of the project.

The ministry said the authorities want to monitor the commitments made by the operator.

Earlier, in spring, a delegation from the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency visited the Tamazoura site. Its members found that the assembly lines had entered industrial production, where light utility vehicles were being assembled.

Workshops for urban and intercity buses were still being fine-tuned at that time.

Since late September, the complex has moved into a more commercial routine. A stock of parts held at customs was released, allowing the first deliveries of vehicles to customers, so buyers in Algeria have started to receive them.

The plant aims to raise output to nearly 90 vehicles a day. This is a target, not a rate the plant has reached.

The talks focused on the share of components actually made in Algeria. The ministry's statement refers to mechanisms to make this share grow faster.

The logic is that while most parts arrive in containers, the work is closer to assembly than to full manufacturing. The authorities want a network of Algerian suppliers able to supply approved plants, from plastic parts to bodywork.

In September, the ministry asked manufacturers to contact General Plastic Injection in Tissemsilt. The aim is for plastic components to be made in Algeria, with manufacturers providing the moulds.

The plant makes light utility vehicles and buses for collective transport. Domestic demand for these vehicles remains strong and is largely met by imports.

The ministry gave no timetable with figures after the meeting.