A Renault Trucks T Range heavy-duty truck cabin is fitted onto the production line at the company’s assembly plant in Bourg-en-Bresse, France. (Image: Renault Trucks / Volvo Group)
- Renault Trucks has abandoned efforts to restart its Algerian truck assembly plant after failing to secure approval from the Ministry of Industry.
- The assembly facility in Meftah, operated with BSF Souakri Group and Volvo Group, was designed to produce heavy trucks for the local market.
- Plant operations were originally suspended in 2020 when the Algerian government ended preferential imports for vehicle kits used by assembly plants.
- Attempts to restart faced stricter local content requirements, including a 30% local integration rate within five years.
According to Africa Intelligence, the heavy goods vehicle manufacturer has given up on obtaining authorisation to resume operations at its SPA Soprovi Algérie assembly plant in Meftah, in the Blida province, after several attempts.
The facility, operated through a partnership involving Volvo Group, the Swedish manufacturer that owns Renault Trucks, and Algeria’s BSF Souakri Group, was designed to assemble heavy trucks for the domestic market.
The plant had an annual production capacity
The plant had an annual production capacity of around 2,000 trucks and began assembling Renault Trucks vehicles in 2019.
However, operations were suspended in 2020 after the Algerian government halted the preferential import system for completely knocked-down and semi-knocked-down vehicle kits used by assembly plants.
Technicians work on a heavy-duty diesel engine assembly line at the SOPROVI truck assembly plant in Meftah, Blida province, Algeria. (Image: SOPROVI SPA / Renault Trucks)SOPROVI SPA / Renault Trucks
Renault Trucks later sought fresh approval to resume
Renault Trucks later sought fresh approval to resume production but faced stricter local manufacturing requirements. In May 2025, Algerian authorities asked the company to revise its proposal to meet a requirement of achieving a 30% local integration rate within five years of restarting operations.
The requirement formed part of Algeria’s broader push to develop domestic suppliers and reduce dependence on imported components in its automotive industry.
Volvo Group continued to engage with the authorities despite the difficulties. In February 2026, its executive vice-president, Jens Holtinger, met Industry Minister Yahia Bachir in Algiers to discuss the group’s industrial activities and prospects for local truck production.
The meeting had raised expectations that the Meftah
The meeting had raised expectations that the Meftah facility could eventually resume operations. However, the latest development suggests that the company has now abandoned that effort.
The decision comes as Algeria seeks to attract international manufacturers while requiring greater local participation in vehicle production.
