Author: Farid Nasser

Rockwell Automation said it will deploy its FactoryTalk manufacturing execution system (MES) software at Lucid Motors’ electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, supporting production operations and workforce development at the Kingdom’s first vehicle manufacturing site. The plant, located at King Abdullah Economic City on the Red Sea coast, is set to produce Lucid’s future midsize electric vehicles. Rockwell Automation said its enterprise software platform will manage production across all five major manufacturing shops at the site: general assembly, paint, stamping, body and powertrain. The FactoryTalk MES system will provide real-time visibility, traceability and operational control across the facility, with…

A modified Zeekr 7X has become the first battery-electric vehicle to successfully climb Abu Dhabi’s Moreeb Dune, completing the ascent in a record time of 7.343 seconds during the Moreeb Dune Cars Championship at the Liwa International Festival. The run, recorded on Dec. 31, 2025, marked the fastest time in both the electric vehicle and hybrid categories at the event, which is traditionally dominated by internal combustion engine vehicles. Moreeb Dune, located on the edge of the Rub’ al Khali desert, is widely regarded as one of the most demanding dune climbs in motorsport, featuring a roughly 300-metre ascent and…

ADNOC Distribution has opened a large electric vehicle fast-charging hub on a major highway linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai, signalling a broader push to expand charging infrastructure across the United Arab Emirates. The new site, described by the company as an “EV Megahub,” features 60 DC fast-charging points and is located along the E11 highway, one of the country’s busiest transport corridors. ADNOC Distribution said the project forms part of its plan to electrify most of the UAE’s highway network by the end of 2027. “The inauguration of ADNOC Distribution’s EV Megahub is a significant step in implementing the UAE’s…

Lucid Group is on track to begin full-scale vehicle production at a new manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia in 2026, its interim chief executive said, marking a key step in the company’s international expansion and the kingdom’s push to build a domestic electric vehicle industry. Speaking on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, interim Chief Executive Marc Winterhoff said Lucid has started transferring equipment to its new plant at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) near Jeddah. “We are on track,” Winterhoff said, adding that the company plans to ramp up output over several years, according to remarks…

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has granted Apollo Go, Baidu’s autonomous ride-hailing unit, the emirate’s first permit for fully driverless vehicle trials, enabling operations without a human safety driver on designated public roads. The permit clears a regulatory pathway for Apollo Go’s planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, positioning Dubai as the company’s first international market for fully autonomous ride-hailing services. See also: Regeny Opens Ultra-Fast EV Charging Hub Near Dubai Airport as UAE Pushes Fleet Electrification The approval was formally issued during the opening of Apollo Go Park, a 2,000-square-meter operations hub in downtown Dubai…

Regeny EV Charging has opened a new ultra-fast electric vehicle charging hub near Dubai International Airport, expanding high-power charging access along one of the Middle East’s busiest transport corridors as the United Arab Emirates accelerates adoption of electric mobility. The facility, located at the Mövenpick Grand Hotel Al Bustan, is equipped with four 160 kW direct-current chargers and is designed to serve both private motorists and high-utilisation commercial fleets, including taxis and limousines. Regeny said the site operates around the clock and can be accessed without entering airport premises, reducing congestion and turnaround times for airport-bound vehicles. The launch comes…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng said it has made further progress in expanding its presence across the Middle East and Africa, announcing new market entries, partnerships and infrastructure investments as part of its overseas growth strategy. The company recently held a brand launch event in Doha, marking its official entry into the Qatari market. Xpeng said the move represents a key step in deepening its footprint in the Middle East, positioning Qatar as a strategic gateway for future regional expansion. The company also showcased products from its flying car subsidiary, Aridge, at the event. See also: Xpeng Research on Autonomous…

Electric vehicle maker Lucid Group is preparing to expand its manufacturing footprint in Saudi Arabia, moving beyond vehicle assembly toward full-scale production as part of a longer-term strategy to establish the Kingdom as a global export hub, according to comments from a senior company executive. Faisal Sultan, president of Lucid Motors Middle East, said the company has completed between seven and eight buildings at its Saudi facility and is laying the groundwork for a transition from partial assembly to end-to-end vehicle manufacturing. The site, located in King Abdullah Economic City, is expected to play a larger role in Lucid’s global…

Deepal, the electric mobility brand of Changan Automobile, has launched the G318 range-extended hybrid SUV in the United Arab Emirates, marking the brand’s third model introduction in the country within a year. The G318 was unveiled on Nov. 18 at Nara Oasis in Dubai and will be sold exclusively through Al Tayer Motors. Pricing starts at AED 129,900, the company said, with a six-year or 150,000-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year or 150,000-kilometre battery warranty. The model uses a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) architecture, combining an electric drivetrain with a petrol-powered generator that produces electricity to recharge the battery during…

Chinese automaker Li Auto said it has entered three new overseas markets — Egypt, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan — extending its international presence following an earlier launch in Uzbekistan and marking a new phase in its global expansion. The company said the move completes its core market coverage across Central Asia, the Caucasus region and Africa, shifting its overseas strategy from initial market entry to broader implementation. Li Auto announced the expansion on social media platform Weibo. See also: Li Auto Reaches 1.5 Million Vehicle Deliveries Li Auto has launched its L-series extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) in the three new markets,…

U.S. electric vehicle maker Lucid Group and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) have opened the Middle East’s first Electric Vehicle Innovation Center in Riyadh, expanding their partnership as the Kingdom seeks to strengthen its role in future mobility and advanced manufacturing. The new facility will focus on research to improve the efficiency, functionality and performance of Lucid’s electric vehicles, according to the Saudi Press Agency. It is designed to bring together local, regional and international research expertise, supporting both Lucid’s global research and development efforts and Saudi Arabia’s growing electric mobility sector. See also: Lucid…

BYD has launched the hybrid version of its Tang L large seven-seat sport utility vehicle in several Middle Eastern markets, continuing the Chinese automaker’s overseas expansion. The model is being sold in the region as the BYD Atto 8 and has been introduced in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, with launches in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain planned next, the company said on Tuesday. See also: BYD Teases New Flagship Electric Sedan and SUV Ahead of 2026 Launch In the Middle East, the Atto 8 is offered in both DM-i and DM-p plug-in hybrid variants and integrates Google-based…