Dongfeng MAGE EV: Egypt's First Locally Assembled Electric SUV Debuts Tomorrow

A fully electric vehicle assembled in Egypt. SN Automotive — a partnership between Al Safi Group and El Nasr Automotive — will officially unveil the Dongfeng MAGE EV on Saturday, 31 October 2026, making it the first electric SUV to be locally assembled at El Nasr's Helwan plant, with a claimed range of up to 480 kilometres.

Launch Event Draws Senior Government Attendance

The press conference takes place tomorrow at El Nasr Automotive's headquarters. Attendees include Eng. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, alongside Eng. Yahya Abdelhalim, CEO of SN Automotive, Dr. Nabil Hammad, Chairman of El Nasr Automotive, and Eng. Mohamed El Saadawy, Chairman of the Holding Company for Metallurgical Industries. The ministerial presence signals how seriously the state views this project within its electric vehicle localisation strategy.

Dongfeng MAGE EV Specs: 161 hp and an LFP Battery

161 horsepower from a front-mounted electric motor. The Dongfeng MAGE runs a 120 kW motor producing roughly 161 hp, with 240 Nm of maximum torque and front-wheel drive. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes approximately 8.7 seconds, according to published specifications for the electric version.

The battery is a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) unit with 50.8 kWh capacity. That chemistry is known for long service life and lower cost compared with nickel-cobalt packs — a practical choice for emerging markets balancing price against durability. The claimed 480-kilometre range roughly covers a Cairo–Alexandria round trip with room to spare.

Why Local SUV Assembly Matters for Egypt's EV Market

The significance goes beyond the car itself. Assembling the Dongfeng MAGE locally reduces reliance on fully imported vehicles, creates technical jobs on assembly lines. Builds a domestic supplier base for EV components. Private-sector involvement through Al Safi Group running in parallel with public-sector companies is a rare collaboration model in Egypt's automotive landscape.

The MAGE competes in the SUV segment — the most in-demand category in the Egyptian market in recent years. Choosing this segment was no accident; Egyptian buyers favour high ride height and cabin space, and electric options in this class remain limited and expensive when imported.

What This Means for Egypt's Electric Vehicle Future

The market is moving slowly but it's moving. Local production of electric vehicles inside Egypt could open the door to more competitive pricing versus imported models burdened by high customs duties. The SN Automotive–El Nasr partnership offers a template that could be replicated with other brands if the venture succeeds commercially. Tomorrow's reveal will confirm the final price — the number that decides whether the Dongfeng MAGE becomes a realistic option for Egyptian buyers or remains an ambitious announcement.