“Next time you come, I hope we can ride together in a Hyundai electric car produced in Saudi Arabia.”
The Office of the President of Saudi Arabia announced that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman said this after picking up President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, in his Mercedes-Benz car on the 24th (local time).
Crown Prince Muhammad’s remarks are interpreted as expressing expectations about the electric vehicle production plant that Hyundai Motor Company plans to build in Saudi Arabia. With President Yoon’s state visit as an opportunity, Hyundai Motor Company and the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF) signed a contract to build an automobile assembly plant in the King Abdullah Economic Complex through a joint investment worth about 400 million dollars (about 540 billion won). This is the first electric vehicle production base for a Korean company in the Middle East. Hyundai Motor Company aims to mass produce 50,000 units of electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles annually here starting in 2026.
An official from the Presidential Office met with reporters on site and said of Crown Prince Muhammad’s remarks, “It seems to be a sincere wish, not a joke.” He also said, “It contains the hope that the day will come when electric vehicles can be produced in Saudi Arabia through cooperation with Korean companies sooner than planned.”
Kim Eun-hye, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations, emphasized, “The reason why Crown Prince Muhammad personally came to the President’s residence, personally drove the vehicle, and stayed by the President’s side throughout the event was ‘trust.’” She continued, “The leader has personally shown that South Korea is the optimal partner in transforming the country (Saudi Arabia) through innovation and high-tech industries.”
View largerPresident Yoon Seok-yeol, who is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, has an exclusive meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Riyadh guesthouse on the 24th (local time) and is then riding in a vehicle driven by Crown Prince bin Salman. (Presidential Office website) October 2023. 24/News 1On the 24th, Crown Prince Muhammad drove a Mercedes-Benz car for 15 minutes and went with President Yoon to the next event, the ‘Future Investment Initiative Forum’ (FII). Crown Prince Muhammad’s personal driving was unplanned. Prior to this, Crown Prince Muhammad made a surprise visit to President Yoon’s guesthouse and had a private chat for about 23 minutes.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.