Yesterday, the YouTube channel “Frankly Speaking with Katie Jensen” uploaded a new episode. In this interview, Katie spoke with Faisal Sultan, the Vice President and Managing Director for the Middle East. They discussed the current landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Kingdom, the necessary steps for expansion, and the future of Lucid Motors in the Middle East.

The present

During the interview, the main focus was on the presence and future of Lucid Motors in Saudi Arabia. Faisal Sultan emphasized that Lucid has established the first-ever car manufacturing facility in the Kingdom, which has instilled a sense of pride among the people. They discussed how earning the “Saudi Made” badge resonates positively with the citizens of the country. Sultan also reiterated that Advanced Manufacturing Plant 2 (AMP-2) is on track for completion by the end of 2026 and is set to begin production in early 2027.

Currently, approximately 6-7% of all new car sales in Saudi Arabia are electric vehicles. With its Vision 2030 initiative, the country aims to achieve a 30% market share for electric vehicles over the next five years. A key part of this goal is addressing barriers to adoption, such as charging infrastructure. Lucid has established partnerships to provide new owners with a home charger and installation for convenient daily charging. Additionally, they are collaborating with EVIQ to facilitate DC fast charging in select regions throughout the Kingdom along major travel corridors.

The Future

The future of the automotive sector in Saudi Arabia is promising. Within the King Salman Automotive Cluster in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), several significant companies, including Lucid, Ceer, and Hyundai, are establishing their presence. This initiative aims to create an automotive hub that will attract a direct supply chain. With this supply chain in place, Lucid is expected to benefit from lower costs. Additionally, Faisal mentioned potential opportunities with battery manufacturing companies, which could lead to joint ventures in the Kingdom.

Specifically pertaining to Lucid they spoke about how Lucid has now launched the Gravity with orders now open in the Middle East and will increase its presence on the road, they spoke about the future Midsize platform that will be produced at AMP-2 in 2027.

They also discussed their plans for future growth and expansion in the Middle East. Currently, they intend to increase their presence in cities such as Jeddah and Riyadh. Additionally, they have plans to open a flagship showroom in Dubai, which will be announced in the near future. Their primary focus will be on GCC countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

This was a great interview and always exciting to see the energy and enthusiasm that Faisal Sultan brings to the table. I’m excited to see the continued adoption and growth of the electric vehicle market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Watch the video below and let me know what you think!