Spanish Auto Parts Giant Antolin Expands Operations in Morocco, Citing Economic Growth

"Morocco is undoubtedly one of the most attractive countries in Africa and the Maghreb. Its GDP has increased in recent years and offers political stability, significant economic incentives for investment, good infrastructure and a geostrategic location favorable to trade between Europe and Africa," said María Helena Antolin, vice president of the manufacturer, to Cinco Días.

At a Spanish-Moroccan business forum organized in May at the headquarters of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), Antolin’s board of directors highlighted the advantages of setting up in Morocco, recalling the free trade agreement between Spain and Morocco which exempts the purchase and sale of components from customs duties.

As another advantage, Morocco offers "abundant, skilled" and inexpensive labor compared to Spain or other European countries, says Antolin, who recalls the establishment of its production plant in Tangier in 2005, which daily manufactures 13,150 sun visors, 11,000 power windows, 7,600 lighting components and 1,780 roofs for Renault, Nissan, Stellantis, Volvo, Daimler and Jaguar Land Rover.

Since 2012, car and component sales in Morocco have increased by 292%, reaching 1.75 billion euros in 2022, compared to 743.5 million euros for purchases of components and vehicles from Morocco, an increase of 789.8% over the period. Morocco now has a manufacturing capacity of 700,000 cars per year and plans to manufacture two million per year by 2030.