French automaker Renault group says its Tangier plant in Northern Morocco will begin to manufacture the hybrid Dacia Jogger model in 2Q 2024, Morocco World News reports, referencing a company statement.

The details: Renault Group’s Tangier manufacturing plant — launched in 2012 — will produce some 120k Dacia Jogger hybrid EVs once production is launched in the second half of next year, the news outlet notes. Renault says it plans to reskill 550 employees in its Morocco plant in a bid to acclimate them to manufacturing the EV and other upcoming models.

Renault has been securing the rare earths it needs for EV production: The company signed an agreement in June last year with Moroccan mining firm Managem for the supply of 5k tons of cobalt sulfate — to be used in EV production — for seven years starting in 2025.

Morocco isn’t slowing down plans to become an EV powerhouse: Renault Maroc is aiming to produce 17k Mobilize Duo EVs each year at its existing auto assembly plant in Tangier when it becomes fully operational. Morocco is targeting the production of around 1 mn EVs in the next three to four years, Morocco’s Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour told Reuters last July. Renault and Stellantis already operate EV assembly facilities producing 700k cars each year. Citroen also produces around 50k EV buses per year with plans to double that output in two years.