Yes, Saudi Arabia is Launching its own EV
Ceer Motors arose from a partnership between the Saudi Public Investment Fund (the same group that's been funding struggling startup Lucid) and Foxconn (makers of the iPhone and newcomers to the EV space) back in 2022. There was initially talk of using BMW EV components, and it appears Croatia's Rimac supplies the integrated rear electric drive system (e-axle), while Hyundai Transys (affiliated with the Hyundai Motor Group) provides the front motors.
The Exobot fullsize sedan and SUV flagships have clearly turned the sci-fi dial up to 11; in particular, the sedan makes the now-cancelled Honda 0 Series Saloon look positively mundane. Both vehicles feature gullwing doors (known here as Shahin Wing doors) that allow unfettered access. They include a lower glass section (like the legendary Lamborghini Marzal concept) which is also electronically dimmable. The exterior includes 32 distinctive bars of signature lights, inspired by the year 1932 (when Saudi Arabia unified to become a kingdom).
Underneath is a bespoke platform with a 800-volt architecture that can get the 112kWh battery recharged from 10-80% in about 30 minutes. Powering both vehicles is a 1,111hp tri-motor configuration, with 60mph achieved in 2.1 seconds (for the sedan) or 2.4 seconds (for the SUV. The range is a bit less impressive, at 310 miles for the SUV and 373 miles for the sedan, but that's on the very optimistic NEDC cycle; that roughly translates to about 230 and 280 miles, respectively, on the EPA cycle.
The inside features a steering yoke (connected to a steer-by-wire system), a cantilevered center console, and a full-width display. Unique to Ceer is "Halo" cooling tech--appropriate for Middle East climates--that lower the cabin temperature from 149F to 90F in less than 10 minutes. Ceer also claims "hands-free driving support to automated lane changes to point-to-point navigation based autonomous driving on highways" but doesn't provide any more details.
The Exobots hit the market next year. The future of Ceer includes five additional models to launch between 2028 and 2030, both EVs and hybrids, and some at a more reasonable price point; the new manufacturing complex in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is intended to build 240,000 units a year. There's no word yet on export plans, nor on prices for the Exobot, but this is definitely one of the more interesting startups to keep an eye on.
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