An electric car factory in the land of black gold. Saudi Arabia has just inaugurated its first zero-emission car production plant. Ironically, it is also the first automobile factory in this Gulf monarchy.
“Accelerate the adoption of sustainable mobility”
“The advanced manufacturing plant, AMP-2, is the country’s first automobile manufacturing plant. As Lucid’s first international plant, AMP-2 represents a shared commitment to accelerate the adoption of sustainable mobility through the manufacturing of cars most advanced electric vehicles in the world,” stressed the manufacturer Lucid Motors. in a tweet.
A second message shows images of the inauguration ceremony organized this September 27 at the factory located in “the economic city of King Abdullah”, a new city located on the western coast of the country, in the province of Mecca, 100 kilometers away. from Jeddah. .
Based in California, this Tesla competitor will produce its large sedan, the Lucid Air, there. A very luxurious vehicle, whose prices currently start at just over $82,000 in the United States.
The main shareholder of Lucid Motors, with 61%, is none other than the Saudi Arabian sovereign fund (the PIF, for “Public Investment Fund”), which also explains this choice to install its factory in the Kingdom.
Initially, the factory will produce 5,000 vehicles per year, but this figure could reach 155,000 units. Production destined for Saudi Arabia but also for export. Following the opening of a first industrial site in 2021 in Arizona, this factory is also Lucid’s first outside the United States.
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily to grow its automotive industry, with two more assembly plants planned and an ecosystem of suppliers. The Kingdom aims to produce 300,000 cars in 2030, 30% of which will be electric.
In this context, the Aramco oil group signed a letter of intent with Renault and the Chinese Geely to join their joint venture of gasoline engines and hybrid technologies called “Horse”.
Source: BFM TV
