RIYADH: Saudi-backed carmaker Lucid Group is on track to bolster its manufacturing capabilities thanks to a new expansion of its US Advanced Manufacturing Plant, known as AMP-1. This development will help propel the building capacity ahead of production of the company’s new fully electric sports utility vehicle, the Lucid Gravity, and to support future growth, according to a statement. The firm, which is 60 percent owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, is ramping up its production capabilities, and opened its first international manufacturing facility, AMP-2, in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City in September 2023. “The expansion of our manufacturing footprint in Arizona is a significant milestone for the company, as we prepare for the next phase of Lucid’s growth,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and chief technology officer at Lucid. He added: “Our expanded state-of-the-art factory will allow us to continue to deliver our great cars to our customers around the world, including the Lucid Gravity in the near future.” The AMP-1 expansion includes a new 3 million sq. ft. manufacturing facility as well as a warehouse. Once complete, it will bring about a new general assembly line, a new quality and semi-knock down centers, and expanded body and paint shops. In addition to this, it will also include a relocated logistics center and a relocated and expanded powertrain facility. In December 2023, Lucid’s Global Vice President Faisal Sultan revealed the firm had assembled almost 800 cars in its Saudi factory to date. The facility has an initial capacity to produce 5,000 electric vehicles a year, after the Kingdom’s government pledged to buy up to 100,000 units from it over 10 years.