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Saudi PIF Leads Integrated Effort to Build National Car Sector

Saudi PIF launched Saudi Arabia’s first electric car brand, “CEER,” in November 2022. (PIF)
Saudi PIF launched Saudi Arabia’s first electric car brand, “CEER,” in November 2022. (PIF)
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Saudi PIF Leads Integrated Effort to Build National Car Sector

Saudi PIF launched Saudi Arabia’s first electric car brand, “CEER,” in November 2022. (PIF)
Saudi PIF launched Saudi Arabia’s first electric car brand, “CEER,” in November 2022. (PIF)

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is making big moves to kickstart the Kingdom’s own car industry.

It launched Saudi Arabia’s first electric car brand, “CEER,” in November 2022 and is backing the National Automotive and Mobility Academy (NAFAM) while investing heavily in the car and mobility sector.

In one of its reports, PIF emphasized how this sector can create jobs, boost the economy beyond oil, and fill skill gaps regionally. The fund also aims to create opportunities for private businesses and push forward research and development.

Following Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s investments are driving economic growth and diversification.

PIF’s investment in the US electric vehicle company, Lucid, is a prime example. Lucid opened its first electric car factory in Saudi Arabia in September 2023, coinciding with CEER’s launch.

CEER recently announced a major deal worth about $1.3 billion for a new industrial complex.

According to CEER CEO Jim DeLuca the complex will set new industry standards both locally and globally. It will feature top-notch technologies, equipment, and staff, backed by partnerships with leading industry players like Durr, Schuler, and Siemens.

Mohammed Al-Shiha, who heads the Automotive and Mobility Sector at the Middle East and North Africa division of the fund, underscores their focus on future-ready tech. For cars, this means prioritizing electric and hydrogen vehicles for a greener future.

He noted that Saudi Arabia has laid a strong foundation for its car industry and is now shifting towards building its own suppliers. Examples include partnering with global giant Pirelli for top-notch tires and teaming up with Hyundai Motor to set up an advanced car plant.

Alongside global brands, the fund is launching a joint venture with the Saudi Electricity Company to establish “Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company.” Their aim is to provide fast charging services across the Kingdom by 2030.

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US Involvement in Iran-Israel Conflict Raises Fears of Strait of Hormuz Closure

A general view of the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)
A general view of the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)
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US Involvement in Iran-Israel Conflict Raises Fears of Strait of Hormuz Closure

A general view of the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)
A general view of the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)

As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, experts warn that direct US involvement could trigger a dangerous escalation, most notably, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint.

If Iran were to follow through on this long-standing threat, the consequences would be severe, cutting off roughly 20% of the world’s oil exports and 30% of global natural gas shipments.

Russian strategic analyst Andrey Ontikov told Asharq Al-Awsat that fears remain real and growing, particularly if the war expands.

If the United States is drawn into the war alongside Israel, the likelihood of Iran moving to close the Strait of Hormuz becomes the most serious and effective threat, he said.

Ontikov explained that such a move would paralyze global energy flows from the Gulf, sending oil and gas prices soaring and inflicting major economic damage on both exporting and importing nations.

The resulting disruption would directly affect international shipping, raise transport and insurance costs, and cause energy prices to spike, further straining already fragile global supply chains, he added.

He also warned that broader geopolitical implications are at stake. A regional war involving the Strait of Hormuz could jeopardize key trade corridors, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russia’s North-South transport corridor.

That would have a direct economic impact on both Beijing and Moscow, forcing countries to look urgently for alternative trade routes, Ontikov said.

Oil prices are already rising, though Ontikov believes that if tensions ease, the global economic impact could be contained. However, a prolonged or widened war would paint a far more troubling picture.

Saudi economic expert Dr. Ibrahim Alomar, head of Sharah Consulting, echoed these concerns.

“If the conflict stays limited, the effects may include a temporary $10–$20 increase in oil prices and limited disruption to financial and shipping markets,” he said. “But a broader war could push oil prices above $120, causing inflation and a sharp global economic slowdown.”

Alomar warned that in the worst-case scenario - where the Strait of Hormuz is fully closed - oil prices could skyrocket past $200, triggering hyperinflation, severe recession, and a collapse in global financial markets.

“Such a scenario could ultimately reshape the global economic system, depending on who emerges least damaged from the crisis,” he concluded.