Saudi EV brand Ceer relies on Rimac’s electric drive system

Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn and Saudi Arabia’s PIF presented Ceer at the beginning of November 2022. The joint venture is set to create Saudi Arabia’s first electric car brand. Plans for its own factory have also been known since the end of 2022. Now comes the news that Rimac is to supply the electric drives. According to the partners, these are “the most advanced high performance electric drive systems and solutions.” However, the duo still needs to provide information on the order value or volume. The timetable also remains open.

Not much is known about Ceer’s future vehicles either. When the plans were presented two years ago, it was stated that they would be manufactured in Saudi Arabia and sold in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), i.e. in the Middle East and North Africa. The market launch was planned for 2025, but it remains to be seen whether this schedule can be adhered to.

Ceer CEO James DeLuca emphasises being the first company and major project in the Gulf Cooperation Council to partner with Rimac Technology. “Rimac’s global reputation and know-how in designing leading edge performance powertrain systems aligns perfectly with our strategic objectives of partnering with global industry leaders as we fulfil our commitment to delivering world-class, high performance electric vehicles and revolutionise the automotive industry in Saudi Arabia.”

According to Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Group, the collaboration with Ceer solidifies his company’s global electrification ambitions. “This year alone we’ve announced several key partnerships, including with the BMW Group and Ceer, which will result in the production of tens of thousands of electric drive systems and battery systems for leading OEMs worldwide.” With more exciting projects in the pipeline, the company has strategically invested in its own production facilities in Croatia – “including the Rimac Campus and supporting infrastructure, which will soon be operating at full capacity,” says Mate Rimac. According to the company, the first construction phase of the campus has now been completed. Production has started there, according to a separate announcement.

Thanks to the latest orders, the Rimac Technology division is evolving from a small series supplier (for models such as the Rimac Nevera, Pininfarina Battista, Aston Martin Valkyrie and Koenigsegg Regera) to an electric drive supplier for larger projects. At the beginning of 2024, Rimac Technology booked the aforementioned order from BMW, followed by further agreements with European OEMs for “three new high-volume battery projects” located at the campus.

rimac-newsroom.com (Ceer), rimac-newsroom.com (Rimac Campus)