Le Maroc, le flicage des autorités algériennes et l’incroyable affaire du patron de FIAT Algérie

Abdou Semmar

30 May 202417:18

Summary

TLDRThe script discusses the crisis at Fiat Algeria, where the general director, Hakim Bahara, has mysteriously disappeared since April, leaving the company's operations and reputation in disarray. The factory in Oran is not functioning properly, leading to numerous complaints and legal actions from customers whose cars were not delivered on time. Fiat's absence from key events and meetings with Algerian authorities has intensified concerns. Bahara's frequent trips to Morocco, despite tensions between the two countries, have reportedly upset Algerian officials, leading to his sudden departure from the country. The situation reflects broader issues with Algeria's business environment and its impact on foreign investment.

Takeaways

😨 The General Director of Fiat Algeria, Hakim Bahara, has mysteriously disappeared since the beginning of May, causing uncertainty and speculation.
🚗 Fiat Algeria is facing a crisis with its factory in Oran not operating as it should, leading to customer complaints and legal actions due to unfulfilled orders and delayed deliveries.
🛠️ The Algerian government has exclusive rights to the automotive market since December 2023, with Fiat being the only brand allowed to operate, excluding competitors like Renault, Hyundai, and Volkswagen.
🏭 The Fiat factory was launched with high expectations, promising to produce thousands of vehicles and transfer technology, but it's now at the center of a storm not covered by Algerian media.
📉 Fiat Algeria's problems have been exacerbated by the absence of its General Director, Hakim Bahara, who was expected to be the main liaison with Algerian authorities for the development of Stellantis group activities.
🤔 There's been a significant increase in car theft in Algeria since 2019, with the government restricting imports and assembly of new vehicles, which Fiat was supposed to satisfy with its local production.
🛫 Hakim Bahara's frequent travels to Morocco have raised concerns among Algerian security services, leading to pressures and demands for him to cease these travels.
🤝 Despite working for an international company, the Algerian authorities seem to exert control over Bahara's private agenda, including his travels to Morocco for business.
😠 Bahara reportedly disagreed with the Algerian authorities' interference in his professional life, which might have led to his departure from Algeria.
📚 Hakim Bahara has an impressive professional background with an MBA from the University of Quebec in Montreal and experience from the London Business School.
💼 His career includes working for Renault in Algeria and later in various international roles, including as General Director for Renault Middle East, overseeing 13 countries.

Q & A

What is the current situation with Fiat in Algeria?
-Fiat in Algeria is facing a crisis. The Oran plant is not operating as it should, and there have been numerous complaints from customers who have not received their vehicles within the promised timeframes. The company has been refunding customers because vehicles cannot be delivered.
Why did Hakim Bahara, the general director of Fiat Algeria, disappear?
-Hakim Bahara disappeared due to a dispute with Algerian authorities. He was pressured to stop traveling to Morocco and was asked to leave for Morocco, which he apparently did not accept well and led to his departure from Algeria.
What was the reason behind Hakim Bahara's frequent travels to Morocco?
-Hakim Bahara, who has worked in the automotive sector since the early 2000s and has interests in Morocco, was traveling there for business purposes. He has also worked on the Moroccan market and has French nationality.
How has the Algerian government's actions affected the automotive industry?
-The Algerian government's actions have complicated the operations of automotive companies. Importations and local production are extremely complicated, and the government's failure to respect its announcements and commitments has led to a challenging environment for both foreign investors and local producers.
What were the ambitions of the Fiat group when they started their operations in Algeria?
-Fiat had grand ambitions when they started operations in Algeria, with plans to manufacture thousands of vehicles and transfer technologies. They aimed to start a significant industrial adventure, with the Oran plant being just the beginning.
What is the impact of the current crisis on Fiat customers in Algeria?
-The crisis has led to a significant number of customers being refunded because their vehicles could not be delivered. Many have filed complaints and initiated legal proceedings against Fiat due to the non-honoring of delivery deadlines.
Who is currently managing Fiat's operations in Algeria in the absence of Hakim Bahara?
-In the absence of Hakim Bahara, Samir Cherfan, who is responsible for Fiat for the entire MENA region (Middle East and Africa), is currently managing operations on the ground and meeting with Algerian authorities.
What was the reaction of the Algerian authorities to Hakim Bahara's travels to Morocco?
-The Algerian security services noticed Hakim Bahara's frequent travels to Morocco and expressed their concerns. They sent emissaries to warn him and ask him to cease his relations with Morocco, which he reportedly did not accept.
What does the situation at Fiat Algeria say about the business environment in Algeria?
-The situation at Fiat Algeria highlights the challenges and complexities of doing business in Algeria. It shows that the country can be closed off, with authorities even interfering in the private affairs and travel plans of foreign company managers.
What are the implications of the Fiat Algeria crisis for other foreign investors considering Algeria?
-The crisis at Fiat Algeria sends a negative signal to other foreign investors, suggesting that they may face similar interference and complications if they have interests or need to travel to neighboring countries like Morocco.
How has the Algerian government's stance on imports and local production affected other automotive companies?
-The Algerian government's stance has led to the departure of other automotive companies like Hyundai and Volkswagen. Renault Algeria has also closed, leaving Fiat as the primary company to satisfy the national demand for vehicles.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Fiat Algeria Crisis and General Director's Disappearance

The script discusses the crisis at Fiat Algeria, where the General Director, Hakim Bahara, has mysteriously disappeared since April. The company is facing significant issues, including a non-functioning factory and unfulfilled car deliveries to customers who have initiated legal action. Fiat Algeria's problems have been exacerbated by the absence of its General Director, who was expected to attend a convention but did not show up. The situation has led to speculation and controversy, with the Algerian media avoiding coverage due to the project's political implications. The government's restrictions on car imports and assembly activities have further complicated the situation for foreign investors and domestic producers.

05:00

🛫 Hakim Bahara's Frequent Travels to Morocco and Consequent Dispute

This paragraph delves into Hakim Bahara's frequent travels to Morocco, which have raised concerns among Algerian authorities. Despite his role as General Director of Fiat Algeria, Bahara's visits to Morocco were seen as problematic, leading to pressure from authorities for him to cease these trips. Bahara, who is respected in the automotive sector and has an impressive educational and professional background, resisted the pressure, leading to a dispute. His travels were part of his professional duties, as he had business interests and responsibilities in Morocco. The situation escalated to the point where Bahara left Algeria and is no longer working there, with his absence causing further uncertainty for Fiat Algeria.

10:01

📈 Hakim Bahara's Professional Background and Career Milestones

The script outlines Hakim Bahara's professional journey, starting from his early career in multinational companies to his significant roles in the automotive sector. Bahara began with Renault Algeria in 2004, moving up to become the director of the network and commercial director. He later expanded his career internationally, working in France, Romania, and the Middle East. His experience and competence are highlighted, showing his value to Fiat and the automotive industry. However, his recent disappearance from Algeria's business scene has left a void and raised questions about the future of Fiat's operations in the country.

15:02

🚫 Restrictions on Travel to Morocco and Implications for Foreign Business in Algeria

The final paragraph addresses the ongoing issue of Algerian authorities restricting Hakim Bahara's travel to Morocco, which is part of his professional duties. It highlights the absurdity of the situation, where a foreign company's manager is unable to conduct business as usual due to political tensions between Algeria and Morocco. The narrative criticizes Algeria's closed approach to business, suggesting it sends a negative signal to potential foreign investors. The paragraph questions the Algerian government's right to control the private agenda of foreign business executives and emphasizes the negative impact of such actions on the business environment in Algeria.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Hakim Bahara

Hakim Bahara is mentioned as the directeur général (general manager) of Fiat in Algeria. His absence since the beginning of May and the controversy surrounding it is a central theme of the video. The script discusses his disappearance and the speculations it has caused, indicating a significant impact on the operations of Fiat Algeria and the Algerian automotive industry.

💡Fiat Algeria

Fiat Algeria is a subsidiary of the global automotive company Fiat, which is now part of the larger group Stellantis. The script describes the company as being in crisis, with a non-functioning factory and unfulfilled car deliveries to customers, highlighting the challenges faced by the automotive sector in Algeria.

💡Crisis

The term 'crisis' is used to describe the state of Fiat Algeria, indicating severe difficulties and problems that the company is facing. This includes the disappearance of its general manager, Hakim Bahara, operational issues at the factory, and legal actions taken by customers due to unfulfilled orders.

💡Automotive Industry

The automotive industry is the broader context within which the issues of Fiat Algeria are discussed. The script mentions the importance of this sector in Algeria, the impact of government policies on it, and the challenges faced by foreign investors and companies operating within it.

💡Stellantis

Stellantis is the multinational automotive manufacturing corporation that Fiat is a part of. The script refers to Stellantis as one of the top five automotive groups in the world, indicating the global significance of the issues faced by its subsidiary in Algeria.

💡Government Policies

Government policies are mentioned as a factor affecting the automotive industry in Algeria. The script discusses how the Algerian government's decisions, such as banning car imports and complicating import procedures, have created difficulties for companies like Fiat.

💡Investment Climate

The investment climate in Algeria is portrayed negatively in the script, with the issues faced by Fiat Algeria serving as an example of the challenges that foreign companies may encounter, including bureaucratic hurdles and interference in business operations.

💡Customer Complaints

Customer complaints are highlighted as a significant problem for Fiat Algeria. The script mentions that customers who purchased Fiat cars have filed complaints and initiated legal proceedings due to unfulfilled orders and missed delivery deadlines.

💡Operational Issues

Operational issues refer to the problems that Fiat Algeria is facing in its factory operations. The script suggests that the factory is not functioning as it should, which has led to a halt in car production and delivery.

💡Absurdity

The term 'absurdity' is used in the script to describe the overall situation in Algeria, particularly the business environment and the treatment of foreign business executives like Hakim Bahara. It encapsulates the frustration and confusion felt by those trying to operate within the country's complex and unpredictable regulatory landscape.

💡Business Environment

The business environment in Algeria is a key concept in the script, which is depicted as challenging and unpredictable. It discusses how the actions of the Algerian authorities and the country's policies create a difficult context for companies like Fiat to operate and succeed.

Highlights

Fiat Algeria is facing a crisis with the Oran factory not operating properly or at all, leading to delayed car deliveries and customer complaints.

Fiat Algeria's General Manager Hakim Boutahar has been missing since April, raising questions about his whereabouts and the impact on the company.

Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat, had high ambitions for its Algerian factory, aiming to produce thousands of cars and transfer technology.

The Algerian government has complicated the situation by making announcements it does not always follow through on and creating difficulties for imports and local production.

Fiat Algeria's factory was inaugurated hastily and is facing issues with equipment, parts availability, and bureaucratic hurdles for importing finished vehicles.

Many customers who bought Fiat cars in Algeria have filed complaints and legal cases due to unfulfilled orders and delays.

Fiat Algeria has been refunding customers who cannot receive their ordered cars due to the factory's issues.

The Algerian government gave Fiat an exclusivity period to take over the local market, but other carmakers like Renault, Hyundai, and Volkswagen have left the country.

Fiat Algeria was supposed to import 180,000 vehicles between 2023-2024, but none have been seen and the company is facing a car shortage.

In April, a Stellantis delegation visited Algeria and met with the Minister of Industry, but General Manager Hakim Boutahar was absent from the meeting.

Boutahar's absence began in April and speculation about his disappearance has intensified since the beginning of May.

Boutahar has reportedly left Algeria and is no longer working there after a dispute with authorities over his frequent travels to Morocco.

Algerian security services pressured Boutahar to stop his travels to Morocco, which he rejected, leading to his departure from the country.

Boutahar, an Algerian national, has an excellent professional background with an MBA from Quebec and experience from London Business School.

He has over a decade of experience in the automotive industry, having worked for Renault in Algeria, France, Romania, and the Middle East.

The situation highlights the absurdity and closed nature of Algeria as a country, creating a difficult environment for foreign investors and businesses.

The incident sends a negative signal to potential foreign investors about the Algerian government's interference in private business affairs.

It is unprecedented in the global business world for a country to dictate the travel agenda and control the foreign movements of managers from international companies.