Casablanca – German automotive supplier ZF Lifetec, a global leader in passive safety systems, has officially launched its first manufacturing facility in Africa, marking a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy. The new factory, located within the Tangier Med Industrial Platform, is dedicated to the production of automotive steering wheels and is expected to play a strategic role in supplying both local and European markets.

The plant, which spans 8,000 square meters, is situated in Tangier Automotive City, a specialized industrial zone that is home to more than 160 first-, second-, and third-tier automotive suppliers. With production already underway, the facility currently employs approximately 300 people, the majority of whom are Moroccan workers. It is the 51st production site worldwide for ZF Lifetec.

Strategic choice for regional growth

The decision to invest in Morocco reflects ZF Lifetec’s broader strategic goals of localizing production, shortening supply chains, and enhancing resilience amid a shifting global trade landscape. The move also aligns with the company’s sustainability objectives, which include reducing emissions linked to long-distance logistics and fostering regional integration in its manufacturing network.

“Wherever possible, we aim to produce near our customers,” said Rudolf Stark, CEO of ZF Lifetec, during the inauguration ceremony. “This not only helps us meet local demand more efficiently but also minimizes supply chain risks and contributes to our long-term sustainability goals.”

Stark emphasized the unique role that steering wheels play in modern vehicles: “The steering wheel is no longer just a mechanical component—it is an essential part of the user experience, combining ergonomics, tactile quality, and embedded technology. Its manufacturing requires both advanced automation and meticulous handcrafting, a combination we are now achieving here in Morocco.”

A boost for Morocco’s automotive ecosystem

ZF Lifetec’s investment adds further momentum to Morocco’s growing reputation as a competitive industrial hub for the automotive sector. The Tangier Med Industrial Platform, spanning over 3,000 hectares, has been a cornerstone of the country’s industrial strategy. By the end of 2024, the zone hosted more than 1,400 companies, generating nearly 130,000 jobs and achieving a cumulative business volume of $17.22 billion across key sectors such as automotive, aerospace, logistics, textiles, and trade.

The platform offers several strategic advantages, including direct access to the Tangier Med Port, one of the largest and most advanced maritime hubs in Africa and the Mediterranean. This proximity enables rapid export and import logistics, making it an attractive location for global manufacturers.

Ahmed Bennis, General Manager of Tangier Med Zones (TMZ), welcomed the investment, noting that it underscores the growing trust of multinational companies in Morocco’s industrial capabilities. “ZF Lifetec’s presence adds significant value to our industrial ecosystem. This project not only brings advanced technology but also reinforces our ambition to develop long-term partnerships with world-class automotive suppliers,” Bennis stated.

Creating a regional production triangle

The new Tangier facility will operate in close coordination with ZF Lifetec’s existing plants in O Porriño, Spain, and Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal, forming a regional production triangle in Southern Europe and North Africa. This arrangement is designed to streamline logistics, optimize supply chains, and better serve customers across both continents.

ZF Lifetec is a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a German multinational specializing in driveline and chassis technology as well as active and passive safety systems. While ZF Friedrichshafen operates across numerous sectors, Lifetec specifically focuses on safety-critical components such as airbags, seatbelts, and steering systems.

Outlook and implications

The inauguration of ZF Lifetec’s Tangier factory comes amid a broader trend of reshoring and nearshoring by global manufacturers looking to reduce dependency on distant suppliers and increase regional resilience. For Morocco, the investment represents a vote of confidence in its long-term industrial strategy, which emphasizes local workforce development, infrastructure modernization, and international integration.

Industry analysts suggest that such investments could pave the way for further technological transfers and value chain upgrades in Morocco’s automotive sector, which has become the leading industrial export segment in the country.

As ZF Lifetec begins full-scale operations at its Tangier facility, the project stands as a milestone in Morocco’s growing stature as a regional manufacturing hub—and a key node in the future of global automotive production.