Saudi Arabia’s new electric car brand Ceer unveils Exobot
Saudi Arabia’s electric car brand Ceer, a joint venture between Foxconn and the Saudi Arabian sovereign fund PIF, has unveiled its first model. The Exobot is Ceer’s flagship vehicle and will be available in two body styles — as an electric sedan and an electric SUV.
Ceer Exobot: Electric sedan in front, electric SUV at the back
Image: Ceer
The preparations for launching Ceer have been underway for about four years: In the fall of 2022, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn announced their joint venture. The goal is to start producing electric vehicles directly in Saudi Arabia by 2025 and selling them in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). In 2022, Foxconn secured a suitable location for an automobile factory in Saudi Arabia’s planned city of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
Although delays seemed inevitable afterward, the time has come for Ceer to unveil its first model. Or maybe two, depending on how you define it. The first model, named Exobot, is set to hit the market in two body styles: as an electric limousine and as an electric SUV. Exobot won’t be the only model; Ceer plans to launch seven models by 2030.
Luxury cars with “impressive road presence”
Exobot features an extraordinary design, with the vehicle appearing both angular and futuristic. Ceer describes it as having a “visionary design” with a distinct Saudi identity, distinguished by its dynamic proportions and unique wedge shape that conveys powerful acceleration even when at rest. A notable feature of both body style options are its nearly three-meter-long “Shahin wing doors,” inspired by the elegant flight of the Shahin falcon. These doors can be controlled remotely via a key fob or by gently touching the discreet control elements integrated into the doors, opening effortlessly in a smooth 60-cm arc to create a wide and inviting entry for passengers in the front and back.
These doors alone show that the Exobot is certainly not an affordable compact car, but rather a fully electric luxury vehicle with “impressive road presence,” according to Ceer. The sedan measures 5.26 meters in length, 2.1 meters in width, and 1.43 meters in height, while the SUV is 5.02 meters long, 2.1 meters wide, and 1.69 meters tall.
Integrated technology from BMW, Rimac, and Hyundai
The performance specs are also impressive: in its top configuration, the Exobot delivers a symbolic 1,111 horsepower (817 kW) and 1,500 Nm of torque. It features a tri-motor all-wheel drive system, with the Croatian hypercar manufacturer Rimac providing the rear motor and Hyundai Transys supplying two front motors. BMW also contributes drive technology but does not disclose any details.
The sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h.
Image: Ceer
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At the same time, Exobot is equipped with cutting-edge technology: Steer by Wire eliminates the need for a traditional steering column, allowing greater freedom in design, ergonomics, and handling. This reduces the steering angle from 400° to 160°, aiming to deliver a driving experience similar to that of a supercar. Other highlights include a 48-inch curved Digital Horizon display with 8K resolution that spans the entire vehicle’s dashboard, a 10.4-inch central control screen, and an 8-inch display for rear passengers.
Ceer aims to boost Saudi Arabia’s economy
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the PIF Board, said at the launch of Exobot: “The introduction of Ceer’s first vehicles marks another step toward Saudi Arabia becoming a sustainable and prosperous industrial ecosystem. It strengthens the role of the automotive sector as a key driver of economic growth by attracting investments, nurturing local talent, and expanding the role of the private sector to position Saudi Arabia as a leading regional and global hub for this industry.”
The price of the Exobot is still unknown. According to a report by “Autocar,” mass production of the Exobot is set to begin at the new Ceer Manufacturing Complex (CMC) in King Abdullah Economic City in January 2027, with the first deliveries planned for March 2027. The company aims to achieve a 45 percent local-content ratio by 2034.
Investor PIF expects Ceer to contribute over 30 billion SAR (approximately 7 billion euros) to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2034, add more than 80 billion SAR (about 18.5 billion euros) to improve the trade balance, and create high-quality direct and indirect jobs.