Vehicle and powertrain developer FEV and testing specialist UTAC CERAM are to open the first development and testing center on the African continent, in Oued Zem, Morocco. The facility will feature a variety of endurance and reliability rigs, alongside test tracks and a 4km coast-down track. Powertrain, acoustics and ADAS development facilities will also be present as well as capacity for driver training.
“Morocco has not only been our gateway to Africa but also to our European customers ever since we’ve opened our engineering office in Casablanca in 2018,” said Nadim Andraos, executive vice president for FEV in France, Spain and North Africa. “The country provides a great access base to other regions with a quick connection to Europe, which means we are able to develop genuine synergies. Through our cooperation with UTAC CERAM we’ll take the next logical step.”
Since the launch of an industrial acceleration plan (IAP) in April 2014, Morocco had been implementing a sustainable development strategy for different industries including the automotive sector. FEV notes that the establishment of several automotive R&D centers in the region drove its decision to open its Casablanca office in July 2018.
“The construction of our joint center is part of a growth strategy, which includes anticipation and addressing the needs of our customers,” added Laurent Benoit, CEO of UTAC CERAM. “The decision to choose Morocco was due to its countless advantages and the dynamic policies implemented by the Kingdom with the aim of turning the country into a global hub for the automotive industry.”
PIC: FEV/UTAC CERAM