Saudi Arabia is looking to change that, but not with the Mercedes-Benz G-class-based Gazal 1 (pictured) that the world has already previewed. According to reports by Reuters and Arab News, Saudi Arabia's Riyadh-based King Saud University has inked a deal worth $500 million with a south Korean automaker, Digm Automotive Technologies.
Many expected that the production of the Gazal 1 would be the first out of Saudi Arabia, but instead it appears that this joint operation will be aimed at producing an inexpensive car around the $10,000 mark. The president of the university, Abdullah al-Othman, told Reuters that a prototype of the car intended for local consumption will be ready within a two-year time span.
Abdullah al-Othman did also say that he hopes to eventually export the car to other Gulf states, as well as to North African countries.
References
1.'Saudi plans $500 million...' view
2.'Kingdom to make cars...' view
