ZF LIFETEC, a leading specialist in passive safety technology for vehicle occupants, opened a new plant in Morocco for the production of steering wheel systems. The state-of-the-art production site currently covers an area of 8,000 square meters and represents a milestone for the expansion of the ZF LIFETEC Group in this automotive growth region at the intersection of Europe and Africa. The official opening of the site took place on July 2, 2025. 

Production has already started successfully, and the plant currently employs around 350 people. The new ZF LIFETEC site produces steering wheels for the local and European markets. For the first time, the company now has more than 50 locations around the globe – each close to the most important markets and customers. With this new location, ZF LIFETEC is strengthening its presence as one of the leading system providers for passive safety technology in the automotive sector. "With our customers and our sustainability principles in mind, we are pursuing the goal of keeping supply chains short and, whenever possible, producing directly in the local market. In this way, we are also keeping the risks low," said Rudolf Stark, CEO of ZF LIFETEC, at the grand opening ceremony. 

The plant opening ceremony was a promising celebration gathering representatives from officials and public administrators, the operator of the Moroccan industrial platform Tanger Med Zones (TMZ) as well as from customers and suppliers illustrating the efficient collaboration and partnerships between key stakeholders and industrial operators of the region.

 Ahmed Bennis, Managing Director of TMZ stated: “The implementation of this project strengthens our ambition to build long-standing industrial collaborations with global automotive suppliers. ZF LIFETEC is joining a thriving Moroccan automotive ecosystem, where local integration, logistics performance and cost competitiveness are pillars of a forward-looking industry.”

ZF LIFETEC CEO Rudolf Stark commented: "The very well-developed infrastructure here in the Automotive Cluster of Tanger Med Zones, a well-trained talent pool and the proximity to our customers make Morocco an ideal location for us for long-term investments and growth" Stark added with a view to the locally manufactured product portfolio: "The steering wheel, as a tangible interface between man and vehicle, has a very special experience and comfort function. That's why we attach great importance to it. Especially in the production of high-quality steering wheels, it is important to have the perfect interplay between the fine craftsmanship typical of Morocco and state-of-the-art art technology. They go hand in hand.”

ZF LIFETEC’s new plant is not only symbolic of the company's planned further growth with steering wheel systems, but also of the overarching cooperation of the ZF LIFETEC locations in the production triangle of O Porriño, Spain, Vila Nova, Portugal and the Tanger Med Industrial Platform, Morocco. In the future, they will make a significant contribution to ZF LIFETEC's strong position in the automotive sector.