Cairo, Egypt – September 2025 – In a major milestone for the Egyptian Automotive industry, General Motors Egypt, in partnership with AKL Auto feeding industries- proudly unveils Egypt’s first locally manufactured passenger car headlamp—specifically developed for the all-new Chevrolet Optra. This milestone underscores GM Egypt’s strategic commitment to localization, technology transfer, and strengthening the domestic automotive manufacturing ecosystem.
The advanced production line at AKL’s Mansoura plant was built in alliance with General Motors technical & commercial teams, ensuring the product meets GM’s global quality standards. This initiative not only boosts local content and employment but also reinforces Egypt’s growing role as a regional automotive manufacturing hub.
Over the years, GM Egypt has cemented its leadership in the local automotive industry—reaching the milestone of one million locally produced vehicles, investing in robotics and automation, and driving the development of local suppliers. With the launch of the new headlamp production line, GM continues to advance Egypt’s ambitions in automotive industrialization while empowering a skilled domestic workforce.
Sharon Nishi, Chair & Managing Director of GM Egypt & Africa, said:
“This pioneering milestone is more than just a product launch—it’s a powerful symbol of what’s possible when global standards meet local capabilities. Our partnership with AKL is built on trust, agility, and a shared commitment to innovation. It also reflects GM Egypt’s broader strategy of investing in long-term supplier relationships across the country”.
She added “From lighting systems to advanced components, we continue to collaborate with a network of 78 local suppliers who share our vision for excellence. The launch of Egypt’s first locally produced headlamp for the Chevrolet Optra is a testament to how these partnerships are driving industrial growth, empowering Egyptian talent, and—most importantly—supporting our mission to increase local content. This is a critical step toward making quality vehicles that are proudly “built in Egypt—by Egyptians—for Egyptians”
Ali Akl, CEO of AKL Group, said:
“I truly believe the best is yet to come with our 30-year partnership with GM Egypt, which represents trust, agility, and value given how transformational our journey has already been. This achievement highlights the strength of our collaboration in driving Egypt’s automotive industry forward and demonstrates how ‘locally made’ can truly meet global standards. Proudly, this includes the first production line in Egypt for the new Chevrolet Optra 2025 headlamp and side mirror.”
