Doha – What started as an April 1st prank has snowballed into widespread misinformation across Moroccan media outlets and Tesla owners’ social media groups, claiming Tesla would build its first African factory in Morocco.
“There has been absolutely no official announcement from Tesla, no published information, nor any sources close to the matter that could confirm such news,” French technology news outlet Numerama reported on Thursday.
Multiple Moroccan media outlets and social media channels circulated claims using titles such as “It’s now official,” reporting that Tesla would invest $5 billion in a 300-hectare facility in Kenitra’s free zone near Tangier Med port.
These reports asserted the facility would produce 400,000 vehicles annually, including the Model Y and a new $25,000 compact car for emerging markets.
“It is unthinkable to imagine any project to build a factory outside the United States could materialize currently,” Numerama stated, citing recent US trade policies affecting automotive manufacturing.
The outlet noted Tesla’s previous international expansion plans have stalled, including a $4.5 billion Gigafactory announced for Mexico’s Nuevo Leon in February 2023 that never came to fruition.
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The circulated stories featured unverified quotes attributed to Elon Musk about “Morocco’s political stability and Tangier Med’s logistical advantages.” These reports projected the creation of 25,000 direct and indirect jobs, with production supposedly beginning in late 2027.
Numerama disclosed that the story originated from an April Fool’s article by Maroc Diplomatique, which has since been removed, but not before being picked up and reported as legitimate news by various news outlets, including RT France.
“Beyond Elon Musk’s statements, which should always be taken with a grain of salt, Tesla is also subject to numerous corridor rumors, some reliable, others not at all,” the French tech outlet said.
While Morocco maintains automotive industry partnerships with manufacturers like Renault and Stellantis, and STMicroelectronics produces automotive components for Tesla at its Bouskoura facility near Casablanca, no plans exist for a Tesla manufacturing facility in the country.
