Industry and Electricity Ministers Attend Launch of First Locally Produced MAGE EV, Marking a New Milestone in Egypt’s Automotive Manufacturing Industry
Egypt has officially launched local production of its first MAGE EV electric vehicle, developed under China’s Dongfeng MAGE brand, at the factories of El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company. The project is being implemented under the umbrella of SN Automotive, the brand’s local distributor, in partnership with Al Safi Group, with a local content ratio of up to 45%.
The launch ceremony was attended by Eng. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, and Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, alongside Major General Eng. Mohamed Abdel Fattah Abu Bakr, Chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization; Eng. Mohamed El-Saadawy, Chairman and Managing Director of the Holding Company for Metallurgical Industries; Eng. Nabil Hammad, Managing Director and CEO of El Nasr Automotive; Eng. Mohamed Sami, Assistant Minister of Industry for Strategic Affairs; Eng. Yehia Abdel Halim, CEO of SN Automotive; and Nevine Gamea, Chairperson of Misr Insurance.
Industry Minister: MAGE EV Launch Marks a Major Step Towards Localizing Automotive Technology
In his opening remarks, Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem congratulated all parties involved in the project, particularly El Nasr Automotive and Al Safi Group, praising the efforts of engineers, technicians and employees who contributed to bringing the project to this important stage.
Hashem described El Nasr Automotive as one of the historic pillars of Egypt’s industrial sector, noting that its name has been associated for decades with the country’s ambition to establish a strong domestic automotive manufacturing base.
He emphasized that launching the MAGE EV represents more than the introduction of a new electric vehicle to the Egyptian market. It is a significant step in the broader strategy to strengthen national industrial capabilities, localize automotive manufacturing technologies and enhance Egypt’s competitiveness in this vital sector.
The minister explained that the Ministry of Industry considers the automotive sector a priority industry for integration into global supply chains, as part of its strategy to deepen local manufacturing, increase domestic value added and build future industrial capabilities, positioning Egyptian industry as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development.
He stressed that the next phase will focus on building upon the project’s achievements by increasing local content, expanding the domestic production of automotive components and supplies, and developing an integrated automotive industry capable of meeting domestic demand while expanding exports to regional and international markets.
This approach, he added, will strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional and global hub for automotive manufacturing and exports.
Hashem also highlighted the role of the National Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP), which provides manufacturers with a range of incentives linked to increasing local value added, expanding production and investment, and complying with environmental standards.
He noted that the ministry is coordinating with relevant authorities to further develop the programme and strengthen incentives for automotive feeder industries, encouraging international manufacturers to rely on local suppliers, facilitating technology transfer and deepening domestic manufacturing.
Egypt Seeks to Capitalize on the Global Shift Towards Electric Mobility
The minister pointed out that the global automotive industry is undergoing a rapid transformation towards electric vehicles and advanced technologies, creating new opportunities for manufacturing and investment while reshaping global supply chains.
He stressed that Egypt is determined to keep pace with these developments and capitalize on emerging opportunities to build new industrial capabilities, particularly in the production of electric vehicle components, battery systems, electric motors and related electronic components.
Hashem described the MAGE EV project as a successful model of targeted cooperation between state institutions, the private sector and international partners, bringing together national industrial capabilities, private-sector investment and expertise, and advanced global technologies.
He expressed the ministry’s ambition for the project to pave the way for further production expansion, higher local content and the development of supporting industries, strengthening El Nasr Automotive’s role within Egypt’s automotive manufacturing ecosystem.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Industry’s commitment to supporting serious investments in the automotive sector and promoting partnerships that contribute to technology localization, higher production levels and increased exports.
Electricity Minister: Political Leadership’s Support Has Driven the Localization of Electric Vehicle Manufacturing
For his part, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat said that the continued support of Egypt’s political leadership for localizing the technologies required to manufacture all types of vehicles, particularly electric cars, had been a fundamental driving force behind reaching this milestone.
Esmat reviewed the key stages of El Nasr Automotive’s development, including the modernization of production facilities, employee training programmes, improvements in workforce performance, increased production capacity and efforts to support domestic manufacturing and localize advanced technologies through partnerships with local and international private-sector companies.
He highlighted the company’s revival and the modernization of its various production lines and facilities, including assembly lines, paint booths, welding units and production equipment.
The minister also pointed to the company’s production of environmentally friendly buses, with local content exceeding 60% and compliance with the latest European emissions standards, as well as minibuses, culminating in the launch of electric vehicle production.
These developments, he explained, form part of the broader effort to revive El Nasr Automotive, keep pace with global industrial advancements and accelerate the transition towards clean energy-powered, environmentally friendly vehicles, in line with Egypt’s strategy to localize the automotive industry.
Esmat congratulated El Nasr Automotive’s employees, praising their role in restoring operations, rehabilitating facilities, upgrading existing production lines and introducing new manufacturing capabilities for electric vehicles.
He also highlighted the importance of expanding the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, noting ongoing efforts to increase the number of charging stations and extend their coverage across all governorates of Egypt.
