CAIRO, Egypt’s state-owned El Nasr Automotive has launched local assembly of China’s Dongfeng MAGE EV at its Helwan plant, with officials reporting up to 45% Egyptian content, marking the country’s first locally assembled fully electric passenger car.
Production is being undertaken through SN Automotive, a joint venture owned 76% by Egypt’s Al Safy Group and 24% by El Nasr. Established in 2024 with an initial investment of $40 million, the partnership is headed by CEO Yehia Abdel Halim, alongside Nabil Hammad, chief executive and managing director of El Nasr Automotive.
The October 31 launch was attended by Industry Minister Khaled Hashem and Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat, alongside Mohamed Abdel Fattah Abou Bakr, chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization, and Mohamed El-Saadawy, chairman and executive managing director of the Metallurgical Industries Holding Company.
Also attending were Mohamed Samy, assistant industry minister for strategic affairs, and Nivine Gamea, chairwoman of Misr Insurance.
Commercial sales are scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The electric SUV delivers 163 horsepower and an advertised driving range of 445 kilometres under China’s CLTC testing standard. Pricing and annual production targets have not been disclosed.
Esmat said approximately EGP 900 million had been invested in upgrading El Nasr’s production and paint facilities as part of its broader industrial revival. The government is also reviewing customs duties on imported EV components to improve the competitiveness of locally assembled vehicles.
The launch follows an earlier setback. In 2021, El Nasr ended negotiations with Dongfeng to manufacture the E70 electric car after imported-component costs prevented agreement on competitive pricing.
Hashem said Egypt aims to expand domestic production of batteries, electric motors and electronic components, supported by automotive manufacturing incentives designed to increase local value added and strengthen export competitiveness.
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