AMP-2

On September 27, 2023 Lucid Motors opened the first car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. The Advanced Manufacturing Plant represents a shared commitment to accelerate the adoption of sustainable mobility by making the most advanced electric cars in the world. I traveled to King Abdullah Economic City for a week to help launch the event, assist with executive presentations, and produce post-launch content to mark the occasion.

— Speech —

Welcome, your Royal Highness, your excellencies, and distinguished guests.

We are delighted to have you here today at our Advanced Manufacturing Plant. AMP-2: 

  • The first car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. 

  • The first electric vehicle manufacturing plant in the Middle East. 

  • And the first international manufacturing plant for Lucid.

A Shared Vision

This historic occasion is the result of a shared vision. Saudi Arabia understands the world is going through an energy transition. Saudi is making great strides in developing a more sustainable future for its people and the world.  

Vision 2030 has been a catalyst for change.  

  • Through the Circular Carbon Economy, the country is thinking holistically about energy systems.  

  • Strategic investments by the Kingdom have accelerated the adoption of clean technologies. 

  • And your international cooperation and knowledge-sharing will only serve to help humanity in the race against climate change. 

Just take a look at the projects happening right now: 

  • The development of NEOM, an ambitious new city powered completely by renewable energy. 

  • The investment in Al Shuaibah [Ash-U-A-BAH], one of the world's largest renewable energy projects.

  • And of course, the opening of our facility today. 

Each project demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to addressing the challenges of our planet. We at Lucid understand this imperative. And we are in complete alignment with Saudi’s Vision 2030.

Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of sustainable mobility by making the most advanced electric cars in the world. Make no mistake, the most advanced electric cars in the world are being assembled right here, right now, in the Kingdom.

Lucid Air Superiority

The Lucid Air is the longest-range EV in the world.

  • It can go 833km on a single charge. Nothing comes close to that.

  • The Tesla Model S has 634km of range. That’s a 250km Delta. Lucid Air has 40% more range.

It’s the fastest-charging car in the world.

  • You can add 400km of range in 16minutes.

  • That could take you from this factory to Mecca and back.

It has the most advanced electrical architecture.

  • The Lucid Air has a 900+ Volt system.

  • Mercedes, Tesla, and the others only have 400 volts.

  • And more is better.

We have a battery system derived from the White-hot competition of Formula-E racing.

  • I remember being in the Kingdom in 2018 for the first race at the Riyadh Street Circuit

  • In fact, I remember being in the pits the night before swapping out packs with our engineers.

But it’s not just battery technology. The Lucid Air also has the world most advanced drive units.

  • They produce 9hp/kg.

  • That’s more than double the power density of the competition.

  • And they’re so small you could fit one into an airplane carry on.

Adding all this up makes Lucid Air the most efficient and most sustainable EV in the world. That’s what we’re assembling here!

Lucid-Saudi Relationship  

So, what does today mean? Firstly, I truly see this as a joining of hands across oceans: From our Pacific West Coast to your Red Sea.

Our relationship with you, Saudi Arabia, is a successful and productive collaboration based on a foundational alignment​. I believe we look at the future in the same way. We both have great ambition that is grounded in technological innovation. That is the cornerstone of the Lucid-Saudi relationship.

And none of this would be possible without the trust and collaboration of the Public Investment Fund. Thank you. You have understood our mission and vision every step of the way.

The Impact of AMP-2 

With the opening of AMP-2, we are actively accelerating our shared vision. And when we commit to something, we commit to doing it properly – and on time! AMP-2 went from agreement, to construction, to working operations in record time. Barely 14 months. This is a testament to a successful, efficient partnership built on multiple best practices.  

  • We’re proud to say that the build of our Saudi plant has set a new benchmark in construction safety - with 2 million accident-free hours.  

  • We’re also incredibly proud of the work we’ve been doing with the Saudi Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) to develop a high-level training program for Saudi employees at our manufacturing facility in Arizona, as well as our HQ in California.

There’s an old proverb, “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow,” and I fully believe that the knowledge sharing that will happen as part of our operations here is that acorn.  

  • There is an enormous amount that we can learn from you.  

  • And we are excited to share what we’ve learned with Saudi women and men. 

Closing and factory reveal 

Thank you all for coming today. There is so much to be proud of. And there are so many people who played a critical role in making this opening a reality.  First, I’d like to thank H.R.H. Princess Reema Bint Bandar, Saudi Ambassador to U.S., for joining us by video today.  In addition, I’d like to thank: 

  • H.E. Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investments   

  • H.E. Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources 

  • H.E. Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Minister of Finance       

I want to say a special thank you to a few people and organizations without whom none of this would be possible. 

  • Turqi Al Nowaiser, Lucid Group Chairman & Head of International Investments, PIF 

  • Nabil bin Mohammed Khoja, Secretary General of ECZA  

  • Mr. Fahad A. Al Saif, Chairman of KAEC

And, I’d like to thank Ambassador Michael Ratney, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for joining us today. Thank you all for your ongoing support and partnership. Without further ado, I would like to present to you… 

  • The first car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia 

  • The first electric vehicle manufacturing plant in the Middle East 

  • And the first international manufacturing plant for Lucid 

…Our Advanced Manufacturing Plant!