Elsewedy Electric Proposes Hybrid Car Manufacturing Plant in Algeria
Egyptian billionaire Ahmed Elsewedy's company, Elsewedy Electric, has submitted a feasibility study to Algeria's prime minister's office for a proposed electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturing plant. This initiative represents an expansion of one of the largest Egyptian industrial investments within Algeria, aiming to establish local production of advanced automotive technology. The planned facility would produce vehicles under the Elsewedy EZZ brand, including a fully electric car and a hybrid model designed to operate approximately 80% on electricity and 20% on petrol, utilizing engineering components sourced from Germany and China.
The company aims to achieve a high degree of local integration, targeting 50 to 60 percent of parts to be manufactured in Algeria, with only the motor currently slated for external production. This automotive project forms part of a larger $1.3 billion investment program announced by Elsewedy Electric for Algeria, which also includes ventures into aluminum, copper, plastics production, housing, tourism, and agriculture. The group has operated in Algeria for over 15 years, holding a substantial market share in the electrical equipment sector and contributing to significant import savings through its local output, reportedly exceeding $1 billion for Algeria.
Elsewedy Electric has already expanded its Algerian footprint with three new units launched this year for data cables, electrical insulation materials, and dry-type transformers, sourcing around 80 percent of their inputs locally, partly utilizing Algerian steel. The company has also sought approval for additional facilities, including a steel products plant and seven specialized units for pipes, PVC resin, fiber optic cable, center-pivot irrigation systems, and electrical transformers, with Algerian authorities reportedly responding favorably and allocating industrial land. Furthermore, the company plans to export approximately a quarter of its Algerian production to about 20 international markets, including the United States, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Chile, demonstrating Algeria's growing industrial capabilities and export potential.
