US carmaker Lucid Group to boost manufacturing capabilities

This development will help propel the building capacity ahead of production of the company’s new fully electric sports utility vehicle, the Lucid Gravity, and to support future growth, according to a statement. 
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Updated 25 January 2024
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US carmaker Lucid Group to boost manufacturing capabilities

RIYADH: Saudi-backed carmaker Lucid Group is on track to bolster its manufacturing capabilities thanks to a new expansion of its US Advanced Manufacturing Plant, known as AMP-1. 

This development will help propel the building capacity ahead of production of the company’s new fully electric sports utility vehicle, the Lucid Gravity, and to support future growth, according to a statement. 

The firm, which is 60 percent owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, is ramping up its production capabilities, and opened its first international manufacturing facility, AMP-2, in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City in September 2023.

“The expansion of our manufacturing footprint in Arizona is a significant milestone for the company, as we prepare for the next phase of Lucid’s growth,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and chief technology officer at Lucid. 

He added: “Our expanded state-of-the-art factory will allow us to continue to deliver our great cars to our customers around the world, including the Lucid Gravity in the near future.” 

The AMP-1 expansion includes a new 3 million sq. ft. manufacturing facility as well as a warehouse. 

Once complete, it will bring about a new general assembly line, a new quality and semi-knock down centers, and expanded body and paint shops. 

In addition to this, it will also include a relocated logistics center and a relocated and expanded powertrain facility. 

In December 2023, Lucid’s Global Vice President Faisal Sultan revealed the firm had assembled almost 800 cars in its Saudi factory to date. 

The facility has an initial capacity to produce 5,000 electric vehicles a year, after the Kingdom’s government pledged to buy up to 100,000 units from it over 10 years.


Industry leaders highlight Riyadh’s Metro, infrastructure as investment catalysts

Updated 29 December 2025
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Industry leaders highlight Riyadh’s Metro, infrastructure as investment catalysts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, is experiencing a transformative phase in its real estate sector, with the construction market projected to reach approximately $100 billion in 2025, accompanied by an anticipated annual growth rate of 5.4 percent through 2029.

The Kingdom is simultaneously advancing its data center capacity at an accelerated pace, with an impressive 2.7 GW currently in the pipeline. This expansion underscores the critical role of strategic land and power planning in establishing national infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic growth.

These insights were shared by leading industry experts during JLL’s recent client event in Riyadh, which focused on the city’s macroeconomic landscape and emerging trends across office, residential, retail, hospitality, and pioneering sectors, including AI infrastructure and Transit-Oriented Development.

Saud Al-Sulaimani, Country Lead and Head of Capital Markets at JLL Saudi Arabia, commented: “Riyadh is positioned at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, offering unparalleled opportunities for both investors and developers. National priorities are continuously recalibrated to ensure strategic alignment of projects and foster deeper collaboration with the private sector.”

He added: “Recent regulatory developments, including the introduction of the White Land Tax and the rent freeze, are designed to stabilize the market and are expected to drive renewed focus on delivering premium-quality assets. This dynamic environment, coupled with evolving construction cost considerations in select segments, is fundamentally reshaping the market landscape while accelerating progress toward our national objectives.”

The event further underscored the transformative impact of infrastructure initiatives. Mireille Azzam Vidjen, Head of Consulting for the Middle East and Africa at JLL, highlighted Riyadh’s transit revolution. She detailed the Riyadh Metro, a $22.5 billion investment encompassing 176 kilometers, six lines, and 84 stations, providing extensive geographic coverage, with a depth of 9.8 km per 100 sq. km. This strategic development generates significant TOD opportunities, with properties in proximity potentially commanding a 20-30 percent premium. JLL emphasized the importance of implementing climate-responsive last-mile solutions to enhance mobility and accessibility, particularly given Riyadh’s extreme temperatures.

Gaurav Mathur, Head of Data Centers at JLL, emphasized the rapid expansion of the Kingdom’s AI infrastructure, signaling a critical area for technological investment and innovation.

Focusing on the construction sector, Maroun Deeb, Head of Projects and Development Services, KSA at JLL, explained that the industry is actively navigating complexities such as skilled labor availability, material costs, and supply chain dynamics.

He highlighted the adoption of Building Information Modeling as a key driver for enhancing operational efficiency and project delivery.