After an absence of several years: Towards the return of Kia-Hyundai

The beginning of the return to the Algerian market of Korean car brands, namely the duo of Kia-Hyundai, who are not present in the car area until now, are starting to take shape. The completion of this approach will mark an important step in the diversification of vehicle offerings on the country’s automotive landscape.

From the point of view of Korean producers, everything is ready, and things are going well.
A meeting was also held with the Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production, Ali Aoun, who on April 8 received the South Korean ambassador in Algeria, Mr. You Ki-Jun, explore ways to strengthen and develop bilateral cooperation, especially. in the field of the automotive industry and other industries of electronic and household appliances, said a press release from the ministry.

During the meeting, Mr. Aoun confirmed that the two countries “have always been associated with a strong relationship that should be strengthened and expanded in the industrial sector and its different sectors”, notes the press release.

In this regard, the minister praised the level of technological development of South Korea, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in several industrial fields such as the automobile industry and the electrical industry and home appliances for the development of these sectors.

For his part, the South Korean ambassador emphasized Algeria’s “real” role in Africa in terms of exports and investment opportunities, according to the same source. Mr. You Ki-Jun confirmed that a large number of South Korean companies have already started investing in Algeria since the signing of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2006. He emphasized the attraction of Algeria as a market for the two countries in the past. mentioned automakers, Hyundai and Kia.

The introduction of brands such as Kia and Huyndai, it must be said, has the importance of capital due to the steps that have already been taken within the framework of the automotive industry knowing that these two brands had already won large market shares by being references in the national market.

Recently, the Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production made an important visit to the Batna district to inspect the factories of GMI (Global Motors Industries of Huyndai Trucks) and Gloviz (Kia).

These two entities, specialized in the assembly of vehicles, have unfortunately been at a standstill since 2019 and their activation would have taken place in March last year, according to the road map established by the Minister of Industry. A similar story for Hyundai’s (CIMA) car assembly plant in Tiaret which intends to return to the race for car production.

The upcoming arrival of Korean cars on the Algerian market promises to stimulate competition and expand the offer for consumers. An important option that will put the current car market in a new competitive configuration, the second of which has not been found so far. The coming days will tell us more…

Par Aziz Kharoum
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