Saudi Arabia Signs EV Manufacturing Agreements with Ceer to Boost Vision 2030 Goals

Saudi Arabia Signs Two Major Agreements with Ceer to Localize EV Manufacturing

Saudi Arabia has strengthened its ambitions to become a global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub after the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA) signed two strategic agreements with Ceer National Automotive Co. The deals aim to accelerate the localization of EV manufacturing, promote technology transfer, and boost domestic industrial capabilities as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy.

The agreements are expected to generate billions of riyals in economic value, create thousands of jobs, and position Ceer as a key player in Saudi Arabia's emerging automotive industry.

Key Highlights

• The LCGPA and Ceer signed two agreements to localize EV production and enable knowledge transfer inside Saudi Arabia
• In return, Ceer's vehicles will be added to the Kingdom's Mandatory List of National Products
• The deals are projected to add roughly SAR 9.2 billion (about $2.4 billion) to Saudi GDP over the next decade
• The agreements are expected to create more than 2,600 jobs
• Ceer separately aims to generate around 30,000 jobs by 2034, with Saudi nationals filling 80% of direct roles
• The initiative supports Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's broader industrial localization strategy

Saudi Arabia Expands Local EV Manufacturing

The agreements focus on localizing the production of electric sedans and SUVs while enabling knowledge transfer, advanced manufacturing, and engineering expertise within Saudi Arabia. The initiative represents another milestone in the Kingdom's plan to establish the country's first fully Saudi-designed, engineered, and manufactured electric vehicle.

As part of the agreement, Ceer's EV models will be included in Saudi Arabia's Mandatory List of National Products, giving locally manufactured vehicles priority in government procurement.

This move is expected to increase demand for domestically built vehicles while encouraging greater investment across the country's automotive supply chain.

Mandatory National Products List to Boost Domestic Industry

Adding Ceer's vehicles to the Mandatory List of National Products is expected to strengthen Saudi Arabia's industrial ecosystem by directing government purchasing toward locally manufactured products.

The initiative is designed to:

• Increase local manufacturing capabilities

• Encourage investment in domestic suppliers

• Improve competitiveness of Saudi-made products

• Develop skilled Saudi talent

• Reduce dependence on imports

• Strengthen the national automotive supply chain

These objectives align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy, which seeks to reduce reliance on oil by expanding advanced manufacturing industries.

Expected Economic Impact

According to the LCGPA, the agreements are projected to deliver significant long-term economic benefits.

Economic Benefits at a Glance

Officials described the automotive sector as one of the Kingdom's strategic industries, emphasizing that local manufacturing will help build resilient supply chains while improving Saudi Arabia's industrial competitiveness.

Ceer's Long-Term Vision

Ceer sees the agreements as a major milestone in building a fully integrated automotive ecosystem inside Saudi Arabia.

Rather than assembling imported components, the company plans to localize engineering, research, manufacturing, and technology development to establish a sustainable domestic EV industry.

By 2034, Ceer aims to achieve:

These targets highlight Ceer's ambition to become one of the key contributors to Saudi Arabia's industrial transformation.

Supporting Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Strategy

The agreements form part of the Industrial Localization and Knowledge Transfer Program, led by the LCGPA. The program encourages manufacturers to establish production facilities and transfer advanced technologies into Saudi Arabia in exchange for strategic incentives.

The initiative focuses on:

• Building high-value manufacturing industries

• Increasing local content across sectors

• Expanding industrial investment

• Creating skilled employment opportunities

• Enhancing technology transfer

• Strengthening long-term economic sustainability

Why These Agreements Matter

Saudi Arabia is increasingly using government procurement and localization policies to attract investment into advanced manufacturing sectors, particularly electric mobility.

By linking procurement opportunities to local production commitments, the Kingdom is encouraging automakers to establish genuine manufacturing operations instead of relying solely on imported vehicles.

If Ceer successfully achieves its production and localization targets, the company could become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's rapidly expanding EV ecosystem, complementing the Kingdom's ongoing investments in charging infrastructure, battery technologies, and critical minerals processing.

As global demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, these agreements represent another significant step toward making Saudi Arabia one of the Middle East's leading EV manufacturing and innovation hubs.