Photo: Lucid | Edited
Lucid Motors is opening its second manufacturing facility on Wednesday in the Middle Eastern country. The brand is partially owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which controls over 60% of the company. Now, the EV maker will produce the Air and other zero-tailpipe emission models halfway across the globe. Here's the gist of it.
Lucid is based in Newark, California, and has a plant in Casa Grande, Arizona. It currently manufactures just one vehicle – the Air sedan, which also happens to be one of the fastest all-electric vehicles money can buy today. The tri-motor Air Sapphire puts out up to 1,234 hp and 1,430 lb-ft of torque.
Lucid also plans to officially introduce its first SUV in November. The Gravity has been spotted on public roads numerous times, and it could be the car that helps the brand get back on track. Currently, it struggles with sales because of the economic conditions and the state of CCS-enabled high-power charging infrastructure.
However, from now on, Lucid isn't just an all-American brand that relies mostly on the US and Canada for its success. The company is officially opening its second factory today. It's located in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. "A shared vision for a sustainable future" is the motto that announces the automaker's expansion.
Construction started last year in May. Now, the brand is ready to kick off production of the Air and other upcoming models like the Gravity. The facility covers an area of around 14.5 million sqft.
Initially, the plant will have just one production line. The automaker expects to reach full manufacturing capacity in 2028. That's when 155,000 EVs per year will come out of the factory.
Almost everything Lucid will make in Saudi Arabia will be exported to neighboring countries, southeast Asia, and Africa. The list could expand as time goes by.
Lucid already sells the Air in Europe but sends US-made cars over the pond. It could shift its strategy if freight from Saudi Arabia is cheaper.
The AMP-2 plant, as it is named locally, also has a visitor center. That hints at a possible special delivery program for customers to pick up their EVs straight from the factory.
Lucid's agreement with the Saudi Arabian government also includes the obligation to hire mostly locals, which could boost the economy in the area and help form new communities. The process has already begun, and the brand is looking for sales associates, product specialists, IT engineers, parts experts, vehicle technicians, accountants, and service technicians.
Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson will make the official announcement later today. The executive arrived in Saudi Arabia around two days ago, per reports coming from company insiders.
Lucid's expansion to Saudi Arabia might also help the country develop its homegrown auto brand, Ceer.
Lucid also plans to officially introduce its first SUV in November. The Gravity has been spotted on public roads numerous times, and it could be the car that helps the brand get back on track. Currently, it struggles with sales because of the economic conditions and the state of CCS-enabled high-power charging infrastructure.
However, from now on, Lucid isn't just an all-American brand that relies mostly on the US and Canada for its success. The company is officially opening its second factory today. It's located in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. "A shared vision for a sustainable future" is the motto that announces the automaker's expansion.
Construction started last year in May. Now, the brand is ready to kick off production of the Air and other upcoming models like the Gravity. The facility covers an area of around 14.5 million sqft.
Initially, the plant will have just one production line. The automaker expects to reach full manufacturing capacity in 2028. That's when 155,000 EVs per year will come out of the factory.
Almost everything Lucid will make in Saudi Arabia will be exported to neighboring countries, southeast Asia, and Africa. The list could expand as time goes by.
Lucid already sells the Air in Europe but sends US-made cars over the pond. It could shift its strategy if freight from Saudi Arabia is cheaper.
The AMP-2 plant, as it is named locally, also has a visitor center. That hints at a possible special delivery program for customers to pick up their EVs straight from the factory.
Lucid's agreement with the Saudi Arabian government also includes the obligation to hire mostly locals, which could boost the economy in the area and help form new communities. The process has already begun, and the brand is looking for sales associates, product specialists, IT engineers, parts experts, vehicle technicians, accountants, and service technicians.
Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson will make the official announcement later today. The executive arrived in Saudi Arabia around two days ago, per reports coming from company insiders.
Lucid's expansion to Saudi Arabia might also help the country develop its homegrown auto brand, Ceer.
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— Sultan ?????????? (@SaudiBay) September 27, 2023
Ceremony preparation is done #lucid #????? pic.twitter.com/YIWLE0R1iW
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— ???????? ???? ???????? (@Hussam_bedaiwi) September 26, 2023
One more thing ??
— Sultan ?????????? (@SaudiBay) September 27, 2023
One big Photo Booth for VIP pic.twitter.com/7A4IbrdvBO
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