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China expands footprint in Egypt with EV push: Al Mansour Automotive is partnering with China’s state-owned SAIC and another unnamed partner to establish an Egypt factory for assembling both traditional and electric cars for the SAIC-owned brand MG, company CEO Ankush Arora told Asharq Business last week. The factory is expected to begin production within the next two years.
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ICYMI- The two have been working together for some while now: Al Mansour secured the rights to be MG’s exclusive distributor back in 2018. Just a year after this, we first heard about Al Mansour Automotive’s plans to produce MG-badged vehicles in partnership with MG Motor’s parent company SAIC.
Chinese automakers are more and more looking towards Egypt: Geely-owned Chinese EV luxury brand Zeekr entered an agreement last month with Egyptian International Motors that will see the partners launch Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X models and open an office in Cairo by the end of the year. Earlier in May, China’s FAW Group signed an agreement with GV Investments’ automotive arm GV Auto to locally manufacture, assemble, market, distribute, and export EVs starting in 1Q 2025. Also, GB Auto Group launched Chery’s first EV in the Egyptian market in August.
AND- General Motors, with Al Mansour Automotive as its exclusive distributor, plans to launch two compact car models in Egypt next year, including an electric one, the company’s CEO Sharon Nishi told Asharq Business. The company is particularly focused on opening up new export markets in Africa, Nishi added.
IN OTHER EGYPT EV NEWS-
#1- Alkan Auto to bring another Chinese EV brand to market by February: Chinese BAIC group’s local agent Alkan Auto is preparing to launch BAIC subsidiary Arcfox’s EVs to the market in 1Q 2025, Al Mal reports, citing sources it says are familiar with the matter. The vehicles will be launched through a distribution network that will be exclusive to the new models, with the sources saying that the firm is preparing to launch the first Arcfox vehicle in early February.
Remember: BAIC and Alkan Auto inked an agreement in October to establish an EV factory with the start of production penciled in for the end of 2025. The facility is expected to produce 20k cars in its first year, scaling up to 50k by year five, with a local content ratio starting at 48% and targeting 58% as production ramps up.
#2- NATCO to distribute Chinese Neta Auto EVs by mid-next year: The National Automotive Company (NATCO) is planning on launching Chinese firm Neta Auto’s EV models in the domestic market during the first half of 2025, Al Mal reports, citing an unnamed source from NATCO it says has knowledge of the matter. The company is currently negotiating with representatives from Neta Auto to launch the brand and select the models most suited for the local market. The plan focuses on importing vehicles in the first phase, with a view to starting local assembly in the future.
#3- UAE’s Zero Carbon eyes Egypt’s EV market: UAE-based EV infrastructure company Zero Carbon is currently undertaking feasibility studies ahead of a launch in the Egyptian market, with the company planning to introduce a high-capacity EV charger locally in 3Q 2025, Al Mal reports. Zero Carbon — which offers services ranging from EV charging solutions to software support and spare parts — is also exploring partnerships with other EV industry players to grow into the Egyptian market.
