SNVI, formerly the National Society of Mechanical Construction (SONACOME, الشركة الوطنية للهندسة الميكانيك), is an Algerian automaker headquartered in Rouïba that has produced trucks and buses since 1967. The public company also manufactures Mercedes-Benz vehicles.[2]
History
The origins of the company dates back to the colonial era. On June 2, 1957, the French company Berliet established an assembly plant in Algeria to manufacture trucks and buses. The first vehicle assembled in Algeria rolled off the production line on October 15, 1958.[3]
the state took a 40% stake in the company in 1964 via the National Development Fund.[4]
Sonacome (Arabic: الشركة الوطنية للهندسة الميكانيك; French: Société Nationale de Construction Mecanique) was founded by the Algerian government on August 9, 1967, through ordonnance 67-150. It inherited colonial Berliet factories and equipment after the latter ceased operations in 1973.[5]
In 1980, Sonacome's M210 was the winner of the second edition of the Paris-Dakar rally.[6][7]
In May 1995, SNVI changed its legal status to become a public economic company governed by common law; SNVI was then set up as a joint-stock company (SPA) with a share capital of 2.2 billion Dinars.
Although the Algerian government tried numerous times to save the company by injecting money into it, It came close to going bankrupt multiple times.[8]
In February 2021, the Minister of Industry, Ferhat Aït Ali, announced that the SNVI will be attached to the Directorate of Military Industries under the Ministry of National Defense[9][10][11][12]
Facilities
SNVI's headquarters are located in Rouiba, 20 km to the east of Algiers, with branches in Hussein Dey, Constantine, Oran, and Ouargla.[5]
Production
In 2011, the company made 2,007 vehicles. Its ambition is to return to its 1980s production rate, which was around 6,000 vehicles per year.[1]
Exports
SNVI exports its products to several countries, including Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau.
Models
Since 1967, SNVI produces trucks, buses, and semi-trailer.
External links
References
- SNVI : Un chiffre d’affaires de plus de 20 milliards de DA en 2011, Kaci Haider on algerie1.com, August 18th 2012 (retrieved on January 21st, 2013)^
- Plant of Algerian company of Mercedes Benz' car manufacturing inaugurated^
- Client Challenge www.scribd.com, retrieved 2026-03-13^
- Afrika: German Review of Political, Economic and Cultural Affairs in Africa and Madagascar Afrika Verlag., 1976^
- SNVI, company's history on SNVI-Ouargla.com (official website) (retrieved on January 21st, 2013)^
- Janvier 1980 : le deuxième Paris-Dakar - Fondation Berliet Fondation de l'Automobile Marius Berliet, retrieved 2025-10-19^
- Official website of the Dakar Rally www.dakar.com, retrieved 2025-10-19^
- الشروق. 4,300 billion centimes (DA) allotted to "Sonacome" Company for the production of 1,000 vehicles only! الشروق أونلاين, 2016-12-07, retrieved 2025-10-19^
- La SNVI bientôt rattachée à la Direction des industries militaires radioalgerie.dz, retrieved 2025-10-19^
- La SNVI passe sous la tutelle de l'armée - 24H Algérie 2020-02-15, retrieved 2025-10-19^
- Chabi Ouardia. Rattachement de la SNVI à l'Armée : « Nous sommes dans les dernières étapes » TSA, 2020-07-06, retrieved 2025-10-19^
- La mise de la SNVI sous la tutelle du MDN examinée prochainement radioalgerie.dz, retrieved 2025-10-19^
- SNVI-Direction Informatique. Entreprise Nationale des Véhicules Industriels - SNVI /Algérie snvigroupe.dz, retrieved 2017-09-07^
- SNVI-Direction Informatique. Entreprise Nationale des Véhicules Industriels - SNVI /Algérie snvigroupe.dz, retrieved 2017-09-07^
- SNVI-Direction Informatique. Entreprise Nationale des Véhicules Industriels - SNVI /Algérie snvigroupe.dz, retrieved 2017-09-07^
- Buses in Algeria-SNVI Numidia Lux www.bus-planet.com, retrieved 2017-09-07^