American manufacturer of electric luxury sports cars and grand tourers, Lucid Group unveiled Saudi Arabia’s pioneering car manufacturing facility, marking a significant leap toward sustainable automotive manufacturing in the Kingdom. The Advanced Manufacturing Plant (AMP-2), Lucid’s first venture beyond US borders, manifests the burgeoning appeal of the luxurious Lucid Air, the crown jewel of the 2023 World Luxury Car Award.
The meticulously crafted AMP-2, devised to deliver Lucid’s trailblazing electric vehicles, reflects not merely a victory for Saudi Arabia, but augments the worldwide electric vehicle trajectory. Resolute backing from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), and the Economic City at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) emblemizes the plant’s crucial role in propelling Saudi’s Vision 2030 agenda toward a greener, diversified economic landscape.
Capturing the essence of this landmark day, Lucid Group’s CEO and CTO, Peter Rawlinson, expressed, “We are delighted to make history today in Saudi Arabia by opening the country’s first car manufacturing facility, which will produce our award-winning electric vehicles and support the country’s vision for a more sustainable and diversified economy.”
Embarking on its journey with a semi-knocked-down (SKD) assembly, the AMP-2 facility foresees an annual output of 5,000 cars. This initiative commences by re-assembling Lucid Air vehicle ‘kits’ crafted at Lucid’s U.S. AMP-1 Manufacturing Facility in Casa Grande, Arizona. Aiming high, Lucid envisages transitioning to a complete build unit (CBU) production model post-mid-decade, thereby elevating the annual production capacity to a commendable 150,000 cars.
Beyond automotive production, this venture signifies a beacon of innovation and job creation within Saudi Arabia. Aligning with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), Lucid anticipates cultivating a burgeoning Saudi workforce, poised to burgeon into the thousands over time, thereby orchestrating a robust platform for skill enhancement and nurturing indigenous talent.
Strategically nestled near Jeddah, the facility harbors the potential to galvanize a nascent domestic supply chain, engendering demand for local suppliers, and laying the groundwork for enduring economic expansion. Jeddah’s strategic positioning along the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast facilitates seamless export avenues for Lucid’s refined electric vehicles to discerning markets across diverse geographies.
Faisal Sultan, Vice President and Managing Director Middle East, Lucid Group, encapsulated the profound essence of this venture, “Today is a proud moment for all of us at Lucid as we play a part in Saudi Arabia’s history and create long-term economic value for the country. Earlier this year, we were thrilled to introduce the first and most advanced electric vehicle, the Lucid Air, to the Saudi Arabia market.”
The ceremonious unveiling of the AMP-2 facility witnessed the congregation of an array of dignitaries including H.E. Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia; Lucid Group Chairman of the Board, Turqi Alnowaiser; amongst others, reflecting the lofty aspirations hinged on this enterprise.
As the global tide shifts favorably toward electric vehicle adoption, Lucid’s Saudi manufacturing enclave exemplifies a meaningful stride, intertwining technological finesse with strategic economic revitalization, thereby catapulting Saudi Arabia onto the global electric automotive panorama.
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