It looks like Saudi Arabia is really intent on developing automotive manufacturing in the country, and in a big way. First, there was the Gazal 1 G-Class-based SUV – as seen above – from earlier in the year, developed by students from King Saud University. Then came the Aseelah, a design based on the Proton Persona which is slated for production in the Kingdom sometime in the near future.
Now, the latest news is that Saudi Arabia is planning to start up its first car manufacturing company, working together with a South Korean automaker. With US$500 mil worth of capital investment, the new venture is expected to deliver a prototype of an economic car suitable for local use within the next two years, according to a report from the state’s news agency SPA.
A MOU was signed recently between King Saud University and the South Korean company, Digm Automotive Technologies. Up to 15% of the financing will be provided by Wadi al-Riyadh Technology, the university’s investment arm, and 30% by Digm Automotive, with the remainder covered by investors, the report added. It also said that there are plans to export the first car to other Gulf states as well as North African countries.
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Proton should quickly strike on the deal, while it is hot!
now tht’s the way to avoid too much depend on oil income…
probably one of the highest risk investment is automotive.
some of my friend thought that indonesia or thailand is oging to buy proton because of the ‘made by asian’ mentality. the fact is no, for something which is important to ur life, one will buy it ibased on reputation, reliabliity, toughness and quality.
today, automotive sector are merging to reduce the cost per production. platform sharing. in order for 1 automotive company to survive, it must have the economical scale.
i only see this car company ended up like proton.
what wrong if automotive cmpny sharing platform?
One commenter that made sense, then got thumbed down.
There is nothing wrong with platform sharing, nor was implied in his post.
Ultimately, success depends on the foresight of its founders. Its its founded as a sustainable business, it will thrive. If it’s foundation is on was on pride and patrotism, it will fail.
One has to remember patrotism doesn’t extend past your borders. And in today’s tough automotive climate, looking only within ones’ own border is a flawed direction.
Now with these guys going in the manufacturing..and if successful, it sure don’t sound good for Proton…..
Saudi Automotive may not fail. because the oil rich country have the capability to invest more money. yes, every business may be risky first days. but if the investors can find out the cause of risks, and invest more money wisely then it must thrive.
And the Saudi automotive Aseelah may not bad for Malaysian Proton. be cause Proton has it’s own market, and there is no limitations of automotive markets. The investors need to strong willingness and foresight to sustain and extend business.
Will be great for Malaysian market… Halal car.
what are u trying to say?
ya.. halal is not something about food only .. it about everything.. all malaysia car is halal what..
hopefully dont have EXPENSIVE ambition but CHEAP quality
Ssangyong is it?
Poked around and found out who. It’s a company called Digm Automotive Technologies.
That design remind me of camel.
Gazal? nice name.. sounds like a type of music here in malaysia (ghazal)..
looks like a heavily modified ssangyong korando. the korando only had 2 doors but this has been stretched to have 4. just guessing.
Could it be a Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group’s third brand?
These guys are drifting Mercedes and BMW. They really need some local made for this purpose.
Can’t say for Saudi but in some oil producing Mideast countries the people are so dependent on the govt that they’re quite complacent and work at a very leisurely pace.
actually….its nice looking SUV….kinda mixture of modern and vintage design….
This car will make a nice hearse
Thats pretty shallow if thats all you have to say….
Probably….but then again.
There are more Estima/Alphad hearses out there now since they stopped converting W124 wagons….
I don’t know about Ssanyong, this deal doesn’t seem to involve the Indians. Probably a pure coincidendence it shared some design elements with the Korando (which is a Wrangler rip off itself). I see more Chevy HHR in the design language other than what Ssanyong can/have had cooked up.
with the Hummer down, maybe they will produce the next “Hummer”.
saw tons of Hummer H1/H2/H3 around in Jeddah & Riyadh.
If Thundercat doesn’t want to improve, it will be overtaken by this company in less than 20 years.
Thundercat, please don’t be a sa-ka-ngiau (kucing berkaki tiga, need a tongkat) CAP KAKI TIGA.
Saudi oil money + S.Korean tech = anguish for Proton.
Heck. The Gazal seems odd from all angles. At least for now.
oh yes
but it will be called “GUZZEL”
cuz being a product of saudi
i expect it 2 be a gas guzzler
Lets give them an encouragement rather than sceptical.another alternative beside bored japanese cars