PIF, Hyundai Motor Sign Deal to Establish Automotive Manufacturing Plant in Saudi Arabia 

PIF and Hyundai announce the signing of a joint venture agreement to establish a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
PIF and Hyundai announce the signing of a joint venture agreement to establish a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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PIF, Hyundai Motor Sign Deal to Establish Automotive Manufacturing Plant in Saudi Arabia 

PIF and Hyundai announce the signing of a joint venture agreement to establish a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
PIF and Hyundai announce the signing of a joint venture agreement to establish a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) announced the signing of a joint venture agreement to establish a highly automated vehicle manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

PIF will hold a 70% stake in the new joint venture with Hyundai holding the remaining 30%. Hyundai will also act as a strategic technology partner to support the development of the new manufacturing plant, by providing technical and commercial assistance. The total investment for the project is estimated to exceed $500 million.

The joint venture announced at the Saudi-Korean Business Forum, aims to manufacture 50,000 vehicles per year, including both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EV). The plant groundbreaking is planned for 2024, and production is expected to begin in 2026.

The new manufacturing plant will create thousands of jobs and allow for knowledge and expertise transfer. The localization of Hyundai's vehicles will accelerate the development of Saudi Arabia's automotive and mobility ecosystem and attract further investments to the sector and the wider economy.

The partnership is PIF's latest initiative to elevate Saudi Arabia as a global automotive player, drive transformation in the sector, and boost manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure and supply chains in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Among the major investments in the sector, PIF recently announced the launch of Tasaru, the National Automotive and Mobility Investment Company, which is dedicated to localizing automotive supply chains and manufacturing capabilities.

In addition, PIF and Saudi Electricity Company announced the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company, with plans to install over 5,000 electric car fast chargers across Saudi Arabia by 2030.

As the third largest automaker worldwide in terms of sales volume, Hyundai Motor Group brings invaluable technical capabilities and expertise to design, develop, and operate the vehicle manufacturing plant.

The joint venture also underscores PIF's efforts to create national and regional champions, building local capabilities, attracting cutting-edge technology, and creating highly skilled jobs in Saudi Arabia's automotive and mobility sectors. PIF's investments are also localizing automotive component manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, further strengthening the automotive supply chain.

Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF Yazeed A. Al-Humied said: "Partnering with Hyundai is another significant milestone for PIF in successfully enabling and accelerating the growth of Saudi Arabia's automotive ecosystem – one of our 13 priority sectors.”

“Our investment in vehicle manufacturing with Hyundai Motor Company is a pivotal milestone, aligning closely with our existing stakes in Lucid and Ceer Motors, and amplifying the breadth of Saudi Arabia's automotive and mobility value chain."

President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Jaehoon Chang said: "We are excited about the potential of this venture to drive significant advancements in vehicle production, fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly automotive future in the region. Our joint efforts will create opportunities for innovation and environmental progress."

The completion of the joint venture agreement is subject to obtaining customary approvals from the relevant authorities and satisfaction of conditions.



Oil Up as Israel, Hezbollah Trade Accusations of Ceasefire Violation

FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
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Oil Up as Israel, Hezbollah Trade Accusations of Ceasefire Violation

FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, makes an appearance over pumpjacks as they draw out oil and gas from well heads near Cremona, Alberta, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Oil prices ticked up on Thursday after Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah traded accusations that their ceasefire had been violated, and as Israeli tanks fired on south Lebanon.

OPEC+ also delayed by a few days a meeting likely to extend production cuts.

Brent crude futures edged up by 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $73.13 a barrel by 1741 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 23 cents, 0.3%, at $68.93. Trading was thin because of the US Thanksgiving holiday, Reuters reported.
Israel's military said the ceasefire was violated after what it called suspects, some in vehicles, arrived at several areas in the southern zone.
The deal, which took effect on Wednesday, was intended to allow people in both countries to start returning to homes in border areas shattered by 14 months of fighting.
The Middle East is one of the world's major oil-producing regions, and while the ongoing conflict has not so far not impacted supply it has been reflected in a risk premium for traders.
Elsewhere, OPEC+, comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, delayed its next policy meeting to Dec. 5 from Dec. 1 to avoid a conflict with another event.
Also supporting prices, OPEC+ sources have said there will again be discussion over another delay to an oil output increase scheduled for January.
"It's highly unlikely they are going to announce an increase production at this meeting," said Rory Johnston, analyst at Commodity Context.
The group pumps about half the world's oil but has maintained production cuts to support prices. It hopes to unwind those cuts, but weak global demand has forced it to delay the start of gradual increases.
A further delay has mostly been factored in to oil prices already, said Suvro Sarkar at DBS Bank. "The only question is whether it's a one-month pushback, or three, or even longer."
Depressing prices slightly, US gasoline stocks rose 3.3 million barrels in the week ending Nov. 22, the US Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday, countering expectations of a small draw in fuel stocks ahead of holiday travel.
Slowing fuel demand growth in top consumers China and the US has weighed on oil prices this year.