If there's one brand that Algerians are proud of, it's SONACOME. It combines a dual image: that of being the flagship of Algerian industry and that of being a civic-minded company. Although its history has remained frozen in time, it originated during the War of National Liberation and took off with Algeria's independence, a symbol that the Algerian authorities have been able to leverage to their advantage. To better explain, we'll put it back into historical context.
Preamble
The War of National Liberation broke out in 1954 after 124 years of French presence. France attempted to counter the revolutionaries and, at the same time, sought to gain favor with the indigenous population by developing the country through the Constantine Plan, while keeping its eye on the oil reserves of southern Algeria, which the French were unwilling to concede.
Berliet Establishes a Strong Establishment in Algeria
Thus, the Berliet company, already well established in Algeria since the beginning of the century through its trucks intended for oil exploration (the history of which you can read here), established a strong presence in 1957 by creating the first truck factory in Algeria, located in Rouiba near Algiers, and inaugurating the first assembly line in 1958, with branches located in Hussein Dey, Constantine, Oran, and Ouargla. The plant experienced rapid growth with great commercial success boosted by the needs for oil research.
In 1962, Algeria gained independence, and French interests in Algeria were undermined, despite the signing of the Evian Accords, which provided for the protection of French economies on Algerian soil. However, a wave of nationalization of companies was launched by the Algerian president at the time, Houari Boumediene.
Creation of Sonacome
Despite a good understanding between the Berliet brothers and the President, the Berliet Algeria factory was nationalized in 1967 in favor of the Sonacome company (Société Nationale de Constructions Mécaniques: Sonacome). A new brand was born, one that would proudly carry the Algerian flag in its nationalist causes both in Algeria and internationally; Algeria was then called the Mecca of revolutionaries. A showcase of a victorious Algeria and a gateway to the future, the fact remains that the Sonacome product line mirrored that of Berliet. In any case, Sonacome benefited from a state monopoly, and Berliet trucks, whose patents Algeria retained, were incredibly reliable, so why change a winning team?
For its part, Berliet joined the Michelin group (via Citroën) in 1967, then the RNUR group in 1975 and merged in 1978 with SAVIEM, taking the name "Renault Véhicules Industriels" (RVI). It finally disappeared in 1980.
The Sonacome Range
So, Sonacome is developing variants of existing models to expand its product lines:
- Trucks
- Coaches, buses, minicoaches, minibuses
- Special trucks
- Towed equipment (trailers, semi-trailers, and others)
- Raw castings
While these ranges enable Sonacome to meet the nation's demand for development, the military is its primary customer, with a 60% market share.
As with its civilian branch, Sonacome trucks are available in a wide variety of designs.
Vehicles were exported in particular to South Saharan Africa, Arab countries, some Eastern European countries and even to Grenada with a fantastic scenario (which you could read here), whether tractors and buses for economic use, or military equipment, several contingents of which were offered to support causes (which justifies what we described above). That said, in the countries where the Sonacome drove they were highly appreciated. Unfortunately, the brand's sales representative did not follow up to offer an export strategy, it is true that the priority was primarily to meet the national need and incidentally to restore the image of Algeria which adopts a socialist policy.
Sonacome's Structure
The SOciété Nationale de COnstruction Mécanique (SONACOME) was created by Ordinance No. 67-150 of August 9, 1967, with the aim of operating and managing public sector mechanical engineering plants.
In 1970, Sonacome and Berliet signed a contract for the industrialization of a range of seven vehicles and the construction of the industrial complex produced in Algeria (on 300 hectares with 10,000 employees).
Its organizational structure includes ten divisions, including the DVI (Digital Vehicles Division), which would later become SNVI.
These activities are:
Production Activity
This activity is carried out by four operational units:
Industrial Vehicles Division (D.V.I): This unit's original activity is the assembly of trucks and buses, their sales, and the distribution of spare parts. It was restructured by SONACOME for the integrated manufacturing of trucks, buses, and spare parts. D.V.I currently manufactures seven basic truck, bus, and coach products (07). The average overall integration rate in the factory is around 58%, which requires the implementation of varied and complex technologies within the various manufacturing centers, the most important of which are:
- Forging
- Stamping
- Machining and heat treatment
- Assembly
Rouiba Bodywork Unit (U.C.R): Initially integrated into the Rouiba Bodywork Unit (C.V.I./Rouiba), this unit has been autonomous since 1987. Its function is to manufacture a wide variety of bodywork products, both mounted and towed. To this end, it has the following main workshops:
- Cutting Workshop
- Mechanical Workshop
- Assembly Workshop
- Assembly Workshop
- Paint Shop
Rouiba Foundry Unit (U.F.R): Started in 1984, this unit, originally part of C.V.I/ROUIBA, has been autonomous since January 1, 1987. It has a contractual capacity of 10,000 tons/year of raw castings.
Tiaret Bodywork Unit (U.C.T): Started in 1982, it has a contractual capacity of 9,000 bodyworks/year. The Tiaret bodywork unit primarily manufactures towed equipment and equipment for mounting on SNVI chassis cabs.
Study and Research Activities
This activity is carried out by the Study and Research Unit (UER). Its missions include:
- Innovation and new product launches
- Improving quality and reliability
- Acquisition and mastery of new technologies
- Diversification of supply sources
Distribution and Maintenance Activities
This activity is carried out under the direction of two (02) major departments:
Marketing and Sales Department (DMV): To improve its distribution potential, SNVI has established a product management unit. Located in Rouiba on the complex site, this unit's main missions are:
- Vehicle reception and inspection.
- Vehicle bodywork.
- Vehicle preparation.
- Delivery to commercial units.
- Inventory management.
Central After-Sales Department (DCAV): The DCAV's extensive activities are carried out by eleven (01) commercial units spread across the country, including our Ouargla unit.
The DCAV is responsible for:
- The sale of new vehicles
- The sale of spare parts
- After-sales service
- The repair and renovation of regional fleets of these products.
Sonacome transforms into SNVI
In 1981, Sonacome changed its identity, becoming S.N.V.I (Entreprise Nationale de Véhicules Industriels) and a socialist public enterprise (EPS). S.N.V.I was created following the restructuring of SO.NA.CO.ME, and the decree establishing it granted it the status of a socialist economic enterprise governed by the guiding principles of Socialist Enterprise Management (G.S.E).
In 1995, S.N.V.I changed its legal status to become a Public Economic Enterprise governed by ordinary law. S.N.V.I was then established as a Joint Stock Company (SPA) with a share capital of 2.2 billion dinars. S.N.V.I became an industrial group.
In 2011, S.N.V.I changed its legal status again to become an Industrial Group composed of a Parent Company and four subsidiaries.
In 2015, major changes took place within the Group following the reorganization of the State's Public Merchant Sector on February 23, 2015. EPE FERROVIAL and all its holdings were merged into the SNVI Group.
In 2018, the SNVI Group consisted of:
EPE Fonderies de Rouïba (FO.R),
EPE Véhicules Industriels de Rouïba (V.I.R),
EPE Carrosseries Industrielles de Rouïba (C.I.R),
EPE Carrosseries Industrielles de Tiaret (C.I.T),
EPE Entreprise Rénovation Véhicules Industriels (E.R.V.I)),
New Models, a Last Stand
One of the criticisms of Sonacome/SNVI products is that the models produced since its inception are virtually the same as today.
In 2024, to create a sense of renewal, SNVI is introducing new models for the brand: the new K 7.5 and K12 trucks, which replaced the legendary K 66 and K 120, respectively. Another new development is the launch of production of 33-seater, 49-seater, and 100-seater buses.
However, experts recognize the paternity of these models to the Chinese company Landking.
In 2012, SNVI signed the agreement establishing an Algerian company to produce Mercedes-Benz heavy goods vehicles.
The Algerian side holds 51% of the company's capital, represented by SNVI (34%) and the Ministry of National Defense (17%), while the Emirati investment fund "Aabar" holds 49%.
Daimler/Mercedes-Benz is the technological partner in this partnership.
Three joint ventures were created in July 2012 as part of the implementation of Algerian-Emirati-German memoranda of understanding for the development of the national mechanical engineering industry.
SNVI passes away
In 2021, SNVI underwent a change of leadership, as the group came under the supervision of the Central Directorate of Military Industry, which reports to the Algerian Ministry of National Defense.
In 2022, the public group Madar Holding acquired SNVI's 34% stake in Renault Algérie Production (RAP) in Oued Tlelat (Oran Province).
What remains of Sonacome?
To summarize, the very fact that it is still called Sonacome, even though it has become SNVI, demonstrates our commitment to the original name.
On the commercial side, the company continues to prosper economically; however, our focus is primarily on the Algerians' appreciation of their beloved brand.
Some nostalgics will lament the fact that they no longer see the Sonacome brand in the elite of vehicle brands; for them, what was once the symbol of Algerian industrial power has sold its soul. For others, avant-garde, the new restructuring heralds a promising future in keeping with the modern world and with healthier management. So which side are you on?
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