Renault to Begin Symbol Production at New Algerian Plant in November 2014
Renault's Oran facility will assemble the Symbol saloon from late 2014, marking the company's first manufacturing venture in Algeria and creating hundreds of jobs.
Renault will start assembling the Symbol saloon at a new factory in Oran, Algeria, from November 2014. The project is a joint venture with Algerian partners, giving Renault its first production foothold in the country and targeting an initial output of 25,000 vehicles per year.
The Symbol for Algeria is based on the second-generation Dacia Logan, adapted for local preferences. Renault's move comes after the company and Algerian authorities finalised plans for the facility, which is sponsored by the Ministry for Industrial Development. The factory is structured as a joint venture: Algerian partners hold a 51% stake, while Renault retains 49%.
Factory capacity and job creation
At launch, the Oran plant will employ 350 people directly. Recruitment is underway, with Algeria's National Employment Agency handling candidate selection. Renault experts will provide training at the Oran CPFA training centre to ensure local staff meet the required standards for automotive assembly. The initial annual capacity of 25,000 vehicles can be tripled to 75,000 units if demand grows, according to company plans.
Renault has indicated that some suppliers will be sourced locally, with sub-contracting arrangements intended to support the Algerian supply chain. This localisation is expected to extend the project's economic impact beyond direct employment, although details of supplier contracts have not been disclosed.
Market context and regional strategy
The decision to build the Symbol in Algeria reflects Renault's aim to strengthen its position in North Africa, where demand for affordable saloons remains strong. The Symbol, derived from the Logan platform, is already sold in several emerging markets as a budget-friendly model. Local assembly is expected to make the car more competitive by avoiding import tariffs and reducing logistics costs.
Potential for expansion
If demand for the Symbol meets expectations, Renault and its partners have left scope to increase the plant's output to 75,000 units per year. Such an expansion would require further investment and could create additional jobs, although no timeline has been set for this phase.
For now, the focus remains on establishing production and integrating local workers and suppliers into Renault’s manufacturing system. The first Algerian-built Symbols are expected to roll off the line by the end of 2014.
