A Saudi-Made Car driving By You?
Interesting news:
JEDDAH, 4 February 2008 — Saudi Arabia intends to establish its first car manufacturing plant in the eastern city of Dammam. The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technological Regions (SACTR) has reached an agreement with the Gulf Automobile Manufacturing Company to set up the plant with a capital of SR375 million.
Toufique Al-Rabeea, director general of SACTR, said the factory would be shifted to the new industrial city in Sudair, where three million square meters would be allocated for the facility. It will produce 300,000 cars in the second phase…
[ for the full article, Click Here ]
I never thought i’d hear such news any time soon. I mean, to be honest, I saw it coming, but not this soon. That’s very promising mashallah, especially after reading the goals that this step offers in Arab News:
..to meet requirements of the country’s fast growing population.
..manufacturing cars suitable for the people of the Gulf and other Arab countries,” he said.
They will create more job opportunities for young Saudis,” he added.
It seems like some us are actually THINKING for a change. 
*** Would you buy a Saudi car? << a question asked by the Saudi youth..
Well, I’d buy them at the first time they’re out there. And if I’m satisfied, putting in mind that it’s a first-time industry around Saudi, and they still have a long way to go, then I’ll buy a second one as well. At least I know that am buying something that will do the industry good things. 
Yours,
Lou
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actually Saudi Arabia does produce cars. Al Arabah cars company produce 12 luxurious sports cars every year , the car is called “Al Araba 1″ and its price is 1 million SR . it also produce 1 luxurious bus every year [its a bus which King Abdullah rides sometimes] , the same company also is capable of armouring GMC cars
but this new project is commercial and produce high numbers of cars which is excellent for the market
I know about Al Araba, in what i came across, as much as i know about the Sagr Al Jazeera projects as well.. i just think that this Commercial direction, away from the Area 51 feeling of our project, is actually good for the national economy, and maybe the international one as well in the near future insha’allah..
But thanks for the information shared “a Saudi”..
your welcome Lou
I have noticed/heard a trend in the MENA region.. wht has the ‘Made in US’ [or any other western country for tht matter] sells better then something made in Asia… but it will take some doing for the public to buy these vehicles..
n tht article in AN needs more details
n I didnt know abt the Al-Araba 1.. so I looked it up..
for some reason it says Assembled in Saudi Arabia hmmm
Al-Araba on Wiki
http://www.al-araba.com
Well, Muneeb..
Back in Al Araba Project, all the raw material and other mechanical stuff used were made abroad and assembled in Saudi.. Just like how there are Mercedes cars made in Germany and assembled in Egypt..
However, the AN article indicates that it’s still something new, and it’s fully Saudi since we’re already producing nationally all the required material to build an actual car..
Once the public see the goals, they’ll buy them.. Especially when these cars will be a bit more innovative in design and very good with the extreme heat and has a good gas milage..
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Yours,
Lou..
we humans tend to look for our good, then look for the general good..
n it better have a really good AC
LMAO!!! XD
Good idea if you ask me. Manufacturing and assembling an automobile is really quite an undertaking requiring much expertise, machinery and LOTS of hard work. But hey, the oil will run out in what, 30 years at the rate of export now? All the oil producing countries have an opportunity, right now, to build a manufacturing structure of some sort as a back-up for when the oil is gone. Prudence would demand such a preparation. Good luck!
Thanks for the Heads up Konrad..
*sighs*