Saudi Arabia Enters Auto Industry with Launch of Domestic Automaker Ceer
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Foxconn have launched Ceer, the Kingdom's first domestic automaker. This joint venture is a significant part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil production and bring technological innovation locally by the end of the decade.
The company's flagship vehicles are the Exobot sedan and SUV, which have falcon doors called Shahin Wings for easy entry and exit. These unique features add to the drama of a startup automaker and will certainly draw attention on Saudi roads.
Ceer CEO James Deluca mentioned that during an early briefing on design, the Crown Prince inspired the team to look at what is already out there and take a different path. The company's national heritage is also reflected in its design details, such as 32 independent elements in the front and rear light bars, representing the year 1932 when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established.
The Exobot vehicles have impressive performance capabilities, with over 310 miles (500 km) of range for the SUV and at least 373 miles (600 km) for the sedan under the New European Driving Cycle. They also feature a tri-motor setup with torque vectoring and air suspension for smooth handling on rough terrain.