In a carefully orchestrated move to broaden its presence in Saudi Arabia, Lucid Motors is making significant strides with the assembly of its luxury electric Lucid Air sedans at its Jeddah plant. Faisal Sultan, Lucid’s global vice-president, disclosed that almost 800 cars have already been meticulously assembled in the facility, marking a notable achievement in the automaker’s foray into the Middle East.
A Hub for Lucid’s Saudi Arabia Workforce Training
Lucid inaugurated its Saudi plant in September, equipped with a production target of 5,000 vehicles annually. This ambitious goal aligns seamlessly with the Saudi Arabian government’s commitment to purchasing up to 100,000 Lucid vehicles over the next decade. To meet this colossal demand, Lucid has been diligently working to establish a proficient workforce in Saudi Arabia capable of upholding the company’s stringent production standards.
Lucid Air Sedans Travel from Arizona to Jeddah
Surprisingly, Sultan revealed to Reuters that the Lucid Air sedans assembled in the Saudi plant were initially fully constructed in the company’s Arizona plant. The vehicles undergo a unique process: they are disassembled in Arizona, shipped to Saudi Arabia as kits, and then meticulously reassembled at the Jeddah facility. Workers at the Saudi plant focus on tasks such as reattaching batteries, reinstalling trims, and fitting tires, ensuring each reassembled Lucid Air undergoes meticulous retesting.
Lucid’s Vision for a Skilled Saudi Team
Although the current assembly process may seem somewhat unconventional, Lucid is prioritizing the training of its local staff. By adopting a measured approach, the company aims to improve output gradually as its workforce gains expertise in producing luxury electric sedans.
Faisal Sultan emphasized this approach, stating, “It (the Saudi factory) is a small operation for us. The reason why we have kept it this way is that we want to take baby steps in our approach to training people. You are doing roughly 16, 17 to 20 vehicles a day, rather than an hour, you can spend time with them to really train them.”
Lucid’s Complete Build Unit (CBU) Facility
Looking ahead, Lucid has more ambitious plans for its Saudi staff. The company is in the process of constructing a Complete Build Unit (CBU) facility in Saudi Arabia, slated to commence vehicle production in 2026. This new facility will be capable of fully manufacturing cars, marking a significant evolution from the current assembly process.
Conclusion
While Lucid’s method of assembling cars in its Saudi plant may seem unconventional, the company’s focus on training its local workforce indicates a long-term vision. The deliberate, step-by-step approach not only ensures the production of quality vehicles but also cultivates expertise within the Saudi team. As the workforce becomes more adept, Lucid anticipates a smoother transition to its Complete Build Unit (CBU) facility, poised to revolutionize the luxury electric car market in the region.
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SOURCE : TESLARATI
FAQs
Why does Lucid assemble cars in Arizona before shipping them to Saudi Arabia?
Lucid follows this process to utilize its established facilities in Arizona, where cars are fully built. The vehicles are then disassembled for shipping as kits to the Saudi plant, allowing for efficient production in both locations.
Why does Lucid prefer a gradual approach in training its Saudi workforce?
Lucid opts for a measured training approach to ensure the proficiency of its Saudi workforce. By focusing on a smaller number of vehicles initially, the company can provide comprehensive training and gradually scale up production.
What tasks do workers in the Saudi facility perform during the reassembly process?
Workers in the Saudi facility, located in Jeddah, are tasked with reattaching the battery, putting trims back on, reinstalling tires, among other tasks. Each reassembled Lucid Air undergoes meticulous retesting.
How many vehicles does Lucid currently produce in its Saudi facility each day?
The current output in the Saudi facility is approximately 16 to 20 vehicles a day. Lucid has intentionally kept the operation small to focus on training its workforce effectively.
What is Lucid’s ultimate goal for its Saudi facility and workforce?
Lucid aims to prepare its Saudi staff for a more ambitious project. Plans are underway to open a Complete Build Unit (CBU) facility in Saudi by 2026, capable of fully manufacturing cars.
What sets Lucid’s Saudi expansion strategy apart from traditional manufacturing processes?
Lucid’s strategy involves assembling cars in Arizona, disassembling them, and reassembling them in Saudi Arabia. This unique approach allows the company to leverage expertise from both locations and gradually build a skilled workforce in Saudi Arabia.