U.S. automotive technology supplier Gentex is setting up a manufacturing plant in Morocco to supply components to its European customers, with production targeted to begin in 2028, the company said in its second-quarter 2026 earnings update.
Gentex said it has signed a letter of intent, selected the location for the plant and received support from the Moroccan government to establish the local entity. The company has not yet disclosed the location, investment amount or expected workforce for the facility.
A plant driven by European customers
Gentex said the Moroccan project responds directly to requests from several of its European customers, which are seeking manufacturing operations within the region to support vehicles produced and sold in Europe.
During the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer Neil Boehm said several European customers were requiring suppliers to have manufacturing locations in the region. He linked the demand to efforts by international customers to increase localized production and reduce risks in their supply chains.
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For Gentex, the Moroccan facility is intended to provide components to those European customers. Company President and CEO Steve Downing said the project was part of a plan developed with customers to address the risk of losing business in Europe if the company did not establish a manufacturing presence closer to the market.
What will the Moroccan plant produce?
Gentex has not yet finalized the full product output of the future facility. The company said discussions are still underway, but initial customer requests include base electrochromic mirrors and advanced electronic modules.
Electrochromic mirrors are among Gentex’s core automotive products. The company is known for automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and also develops electronic systems used inside vehicles, including camera-based technologies and driver and cabin monitoring systems.
The company has also indicated that the first phase of the Moroccan operation will involve transferring some final assembly work currently carried out in the United States. Gentex said its core technology and component development will continue at its existing facilities, meaning the Moroccan project is intended to add regional manufacturing capacity rather than move the company’s entire production operation.
Production targeted for 2028
Gentex is targeting the start of production in 2028. The company has not announced a more precise launch date.
During the earnings call, company executives said international customers are increasingly seeking localized production in the markets where their vehicles are manufactured and sold. For Gentex, the requirement has become particularly relevant in Europe, where several customers have asked suppliers to establish regional manufacturing operations.
The company said it does not expect the Moroccan project to significantly increase its operating costs. Gentex also said its existing facilities would continue developing and supplying the underlying technologies, while the Moroccan plant would handle production intended for customers in the European market.
Gentex’s position in the automotive industry
Headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan, Gentex develops and manufactures automotive technologies including automatic-dimming mirrors, electronic systems and camera-based vehicle technologies. Its product portfolio includes Full Display Mirror systems, driver and cabin monitoring technologies and dimmable glass products.
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The company said its European business is currently facing difficult market conditions, but executives told analysts that the Moroccan manufacturing plan has helped address concerns from customers about Gentex’s ability to support vehicles produced in the region.
For now, several details of the Moroccan project remain undisclosed, including the plant’s exact location, investment value, production capacity and number of jobs. What Gentex has confirmed is that the site has been selected, the company has signed a letter of intent, Moroccan government support has been secured for establishing the local entity, and production is targeted for 2028.
