Tafraoui Plant Targets 135,000 Fiat Grande Panda Vehicles by 2028
Stellantis aims to significantly increase the annual production capacity of its Tafraoui plant in Oran province to 135,000 vehicles by 2028. This expansion, detailed in a report by the Italian news agency Agenzia Nova, coincides with the anticipated market launch of the Fiat Grande Panda in Algeria within the coming months. The Tafraoui facility, which commenced operations in December 2023 and currently employs approximately 2,500 workers, is a key industrial project for the group in Algeria and presently produces the Fiat Doblò.
The planned ramp-up in production for the Fiat Grande Panda will utilize a Complete Knock Down (CKD) assembly system, incorporating industrial processes such as body welding and painting. Stellantis is also committed to progressively enhancing local integration, targeting an increase from an initial 20 percent to over 30 percent during 2026 through the engagement of Algerian suppliers. This increased capacity follows a new investment announced in April, which includes expanding welding and assembly lines and establishing additional painting workshops, expected to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. Production figures are set to rise from about 17,000 vehicles in 2024 to 53,000 in 2025, with a target of 90,000 vehicles for 2026, leading to the 2028 goal.
These strategic plans by Stellantis align with Algeria's broader national objectives to bolster local industrial output, diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons, and attract foreign investment, thereby facilitating technology transfer and boosting local content. The Algerian market, in turn, is regarded by Stellantis as a strategic hub in North Africa, offering significant potential for future expansion into other markets across the continent. This development underscores the growing partnership in the automotive sector, further enhanced by discussions on economic and cultural cooperation during a recent visit by the Italian Ambassador to Algeria to the Oran plant.
