Saudi Arabia's homegrown car brand CEER has taken the wraps off its first models, the EXOBOT electric sedan and SUV, at a global launch event in Jeddah. The debut marks the start of local vehicle manufacturing in the kingdom, with production planned at CEER's facility in King Abdullah Economic City, according to NetEase Auto.
The EXOBOT is a large battery-electric vehicle (BEV) developed and designed entirely in Saudi Arabia, tailored to the Middle East's hot climate and long-distance driving conditions. The wedge-shaped body draws inspiration from the ancient Hegra ruins, while the 32 light bars in the signature headlights pay tribute to the unification of Saudi Arabia in 1932. The sedan measures 5,260 mm long, 2,100 mm wide, and 1,430 mm tall, while the SUV is 5,020 mm long, 2,100 mm wide, and 1,690 mm tall. Both feature a 2.4-meter-long windshield, claimed to be the largest on a private passenger car, with a reflective coating for heat insulation.
A standout feature is the 'Shahin Wing' doors, inspired by the Saker falcon, which open along a 60-centimeter arc for easier entry and exit. The EXOBOT is built on a three-motor all-wheel-drive architecture, with the top version producing 1,111 horsepower (828 kW) and 1,500 Nm of torque. The sedan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.1 seconds, while the SUV does the same sprint in 2.4 seconds. The car comes with steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering to reduce turning radius and improve high-speed stability.
Designed for the desert heat
To cope with extreme temperatures, CEER developed a 'Halo Cooling' system that can lower the cabin from 65°C to 32°C in 10 minutes in test conditions. The cabin features a 48-inch 8K panoramic display, a 10.4-inch central touchscreen, and an 8-inch rear entertainment screen, with a bilingual AI voice assistant supporting Arabic and English. The lower side windows can be dimmed with one touch for privacy, and a 'SoundStage Audio' system provides 360-degree sound. Over-the-air (OTA) updates will allow continuous improvements to powertrain, driver assistance, and infotainment functions.
Driver assistance includes hands-free highway assist, automatic lane changes, and point-to-point highway navigation, backed by a full suite of active and passive safety systems. The EXOBOT uses CTP (cell-to-pack) battery integration and a high-strength aluminum cast frame, with seven custom airbags.
At launch, CEER is offering a limited 'First Edition' of both body styles, with no plans for a reissue. The limited edition features three motors producing 850 hp (634 kW) and 1,000 Nm of torque, paired with a 112 kWh battery. The sedan has a claimed NEDC range of 670 km (about 416 miles), while the SUV offers 560 km (about 348 miles). The car supports 800V fast charging, taking less than 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. Exclusive features include two paint colors, black-and-red Nappa leather interior, a numbered badge, and red high-performance brake calipers. A higher-performance EXOBOT PLUS version is planned for later.
A milestone for Saudi manufacturing
CEER, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), aims to have 45% local parts content in its vehicles by 2034. The company plans to deliver cars within a week of order, leveraging its local factory and supply chain. The EXOBOT is part of a broader strategy to introduce seven models by 2030, covering mid-size and compact segments. CEER positions the EXOBOT as a key step in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to boost domestic manufacturing and become a regional automotive hub.
