Chinese tire maker Sentury Tire plans to establish a factory in Morocco, expanding its global footprint beyond Europe. The company previously signaled a major upgrade of its Galicia facility in As Pontes, Spain, but after completing a comprehensive feasibility review for the European project, it now intends to install a plant in Tangier, roughly 35 kilometers from the port. The Moroccan site is projected to require about $300 million (roughly €280.8 million at current exchange rates) and is expected to produce around 6 million wheels per year for cars and trucks, a scale about half of the original Galicia plan.
In a notice dated 31 December on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Sentury Tire confirmed its commitment to Morocco. The decision comes after an evaluation of Morocco’s political and economic stability, its proximity to the European market, and its access to the U.S. market, as well as favorable confirmations regarding tax exemptions and relatively low labor costs for skilled local craftsmanship. The company notes that the factory will be situated to maximize access to Europe and Africa, and to leverage Morocco’s trade dynamics. This stance aligns with the broader corporate strategy to diversify manufacturing locations and accelerate growth in key regions [Source: Shenzhen Stock Exchange disclosure].
The Tangier plant is planned to have an initial annual capacity of 3.6 million wheels, rising to 6 million wheels in the second year of operation. Construction is targeted to be completed within 18 months. At full capacity, Sentury Tire anticipates sales reaching 20 million euros, demonstrating the ambition to grow its footprint in both European and North African markets [Corporate update, 2023–2024].
The investment forms part of an overarching plan to “accelerate the strategic program” designed by the company. It is positioned alongside earlier announcements about establishing a European factory in addition to the African site. The Galicia project, which has been described as a strategic industrial initiative by the regional authorities, is still referenced in company communications, though timelines have become uncertain. The total planned output for the broader European-Africa expansion is cited as 12 million wheels per year, with a sizable investment reported at 520 million euros in the combined European and African expansions [Company communications; regional press coverage].
CEO departure from Spain
Recent updates indicate uncertainty about the Galicia project timelines. Warren Rudman, the Sentury Tire executive overseeing Spain, announced his resignation on LinkedIn, signaling a shift in leadership amid the company’s broader expansion strategy. Rudman described the tenure as a privileged period contributing to the development of the Sentury Tire Spain project and thanked the Xunta de Galicia for its strong support, while expressing well-wishes for the Morocco initiative and the project’s evolution [LinkedIn post; company statements].
With the move toward Morocco, Sentury Tire appears to be rebalancing its European commitments and prioritizing locations that offer strategic access to both European markets and North Africa. Observers note the potential for Morocco to serve as a manufacturing hub that could improve logistics efficiency and cost structure, while the Galicia facility continues to be a talking point among regional stakeholders and industry watchers. The company’s public statements emphasize stability, trade access, and economic benefits as core drivers of the relocation and expansion strategy [Regional and market analyses].