After making its debut at Gitex Africa, the Neo car has officially hit the streets of the North African nation. Yes, the NEO Maroc is Morocco’s first 100% locally-designed recyclable car
It’s not electric, but it is recyclable and now part of the circular economy: As soon as July this year the assembly plant in Ain Aouda. Morocco will begin building these Neo Maroc jeeps at an affordable $15,000 and $20,000. Morocco’s king wants his nation to be among the top 10 car-producing countries in the world.
The Neo’s fiberglass body is a stylistic nod to American military jeeps of the 40s, does drink conventional fuel, but its carbon footprint is softened by the fact that it’s completely recyclable, according to the creators. Morocco does not have net-zero target for energy, but its national green initiatives focus on a renewable energy goal, with 52 per cent of its electricity mix coming from renewables by 2030.
Israel developed a fibreglass car from the 1950s, called the Sussita. The problem was the local camels enjoyed recycling the cars faster than the drivers could use them.
From 1960, the sport model was produced under the Sabra brand, and the station wagon, sedan and pick-up models were produced under the Sussita brand name (Sussita (סוסיתא), Sussita 12 and Sussita 13/60 models). Following an agreement with the Greek automotive manufacturer Attica, a small number of Sussita 12 sedans (Carmel) were produced in Greece.nt will build 7,000 NEOs this year.
Another Moroccan car will be launched in 2025, the NamX Hydrogen Utility Vehicle (HUV). The NAM will carry six removable capsules, providing an impressive driving range and lightning-fast refuelling times. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles like the HUV significantly outpace traditional combustion engines in terms of efficiency, and only exhale warm air and water vapour, rendering them a lean, clean driving machine.
Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, has awarded the Order of Intellectual Merit to Faouzi Annajah, the founder of NamX, the young hydrogen car brand. His SUV prototype goes along with “made in Morocco.”
The NEO debuted at Gitex Africa, the region’s main technology showcase where investors and entrepreneurs meet face to face. The car then drive around the city of Rabat. While there are only a handful of prototypes manufactured, a $15 million car plant will build 7,000 NEOs this year.
“This car has been seven years in the making, with thinking, designing and creating a prototype,” said Nassim Belkhayat, chief executive of NEO Motors, who had no prior experience in the automotive industry before funding Morocco’s third car brand. “It is the first Moroccan car that will be mass produced, so it is a dream for us, and all Moroccan people.”
A hybrid model is slated for production.
Morocco: King Mohammed VI presents first model Moroccan car brand NEO
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
