First Saudi-made car launched

avishar · 16th June 2010, 22:27

A 40 lakh ugly suv is a " product of high economic value"!
Let them build a 5 lakh simple,rugged and safe hatchback first.Like GTO said,any fool can build an expensive SUV.

DicKy · 19th June 2010, 20:59

The only thing i thought they could make indigenously was plastic products,not a car.!!
So wat abt the specs? a 9000cc V8 mated to a 4 speed auto???
But can't underestimate them.They are goin at full steam.Read that merc helped in developing the SUV.

Mod's note: Post updated. Please refrain from using slang while posting. Thanks

Nissan1180 · 19th June 2010, 21:44

The market for such a product will remain restricted to the UAE, I think. The car looks ugly, but I think it's an effort in the right direction. After all, these people are trying to make something technical on their own for the first time.
The price of a hundred grand is a little unsettling though...

SILVERWOOD · 20th June 2010, 01:49

Kudos to Saudi Arabian engineers.$100,000 for this SUV

I am sure they can sell 20,000 vehicles in 100 years.

Jayabusa · 20th June 2010, 13:06

You never know, some Sultan might end up booking a dozen in different colours or something!

prince_pervez · 20th June 2010, 16:02

I feel this is more like an attempt to create employment rather than producing cars that can compete in the world market. If someone is working in the Gulf, they must be knowing that there is a growing number of young uneducated/low educated Sau'ds who do not have work. And also that some categories of government jobs have now ceased for non - Sau'ds. I have a arabic teacher back in Bangalore who worked in Medina Munnawara, who was asked to pack up as the joker had decided to keep this position for Saudi people. He was working in the passport office.

There might be many such attempts to create employement, but since this is an automotive forum, this one has come to light here.

SILVERWOOD · 20th June 2010, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

I feel this is more like an attempt to create employment rather than producing cars that can compete in the world market. If someone is working in the Gulf, they must be knowing that there is a growing number of young uneducated/low educated Sau'ds who do not have work. And also that some categories of government jobs have now ceased for non - Sau'ds. I have a arabic teacher back in Bangalore who worked in Medina Munnawara, who was asked to pack up as the joker had decided to keep this position for Saudi people. He was working in the passport office.

There might be many such attempts to create employement, but since this is an automotive forum, this one has come to light here.

How could uneducated/low educated Sau'ds design a SUV.?
Probably, this is a result of huge grant from state run gaint like ARAMCO etc.

Betw;I keep wondering how could they design this MASTERPEICEafter driving the best SUV's available in the world.

prince_pervez · 20th June 2010, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by SILVERWOOD

How could uneducated/low educated Sau'ds design a SUV.?

You don't have to be an MIT grad to work on an assembly line.

Quote:

Betw;I keep wondering how could they design this MASTERPEICEafter driving the best SUV's available in the world.

Like I said: To create jobs.

recshenoy · 21st June 2010, 19:06

Quote:

“What is achieved today is a clear proof of the ability of Saudi youth to make innovations and inventions … If they are provided with adequate facilities and given opportunities

Oh! they call this an innovation! LOL

The car looks simply hideous.

Similar article at
Saudi Arabia unveils Ghazal, first local car-International Business-News-The Economic Times

They need at least 500 million USD to keep this project alive! Any idea what are the tech specs? The MERC, Motorola etc are involved in this project, so Sudi engineers only have to do the design and fabrication! But they failed misrably in designing this SUV IMHO

prince_pervez · 21st June 2010, 19:22

I guess this like their first Ambassador Mark 1 motor vehicle

HammerHead · 21st June 2010, 19:46

Its not a looker for sure and at that price it neither something to boast about. That leaves the specs. Anyone has any info about the specs.?

Found following link.
Ghazal 1 Saudi First Car Made - Video

stanjohn123 · 22nd June 2010, 00:55

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stanjohn123 · 22nd June 2010, 00:58

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aargee · 22nd June 2010, 03:57

This attempt from Saudi give me a feeling that they're waking up from their long dream of living life by selling oil. They should've sensed the threat of alternate energy of power & hence they're trying to sell something to make their income.

I could be wrong on this, but when they start making cars all of a sudden in a country where Toyotas, Hondas & whole lot of other cars rule, this is the impression I get.

tj123 · 22nd June 2010, 05:05

Looks Chubby an ugly duckling, any ways a good try. The cost seems too steep to digest , I am sure the engine & transmission must have been transplanted. It takes lot to design an engine, not just money.

16th June 2010, 22:27	#16
avishar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: kolkata/bangalore,india Posts: 2,907 Thanked: 4,237 Times	A 40 lakh ugly suv is a " product of high economic value"! Let them build a 5 lakh simple,rugged and safe hatchback first.Like GTO said,any fool can build an expensive SUV.
	() Thanks

19th June 2010, 20:59	#17
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 4,443 Thanked: 15,655 Times	The only thing i thought they could make indigenously was plastic products,not a car.!! So wat abt the specs? a 9000cc V8 mated to a 4 speed auto??? But can't underestimate them.They are goin at full steam.Read that merc helped in developing the SUV. Mod's note: Post updated. Please refrain from using slang while posting. Thanks Last edited by theMAG : 22nd June 2010 at 08:14.
	() Thanks

19th June 2010, 21:44	#18
Nissan1180 BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: ......... Posts: 681 Thanked: 2,258 Times	The market for such a product will remain restricted to the UAE, I think. The car looks ugly, but I think it's an effort in the right direction. After all, these people are trying to make something technical on their own for the first time. The price of a hundred grand is a little unsettling though...
	() Thanks

20th June 2010, 01:49	#19
SILVERWOOD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: BANG-A-LURE. Posts: 1,209 Thanked: 4,668 Times	Kudos to Saudi Arabian engineers.$100,000 for this SUV I am sure they can sell 20,000 vehicles in 100 years.
	() Thanks

20th June 2010, 13:06	#20
Jayabusa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,447 Thanked: 70 Times	You never know, some Sultan might end up booking a dozen in different colours or something!
	() Thanks

20th June 2010, 16:02	#21
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,211 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	I feel this is more like an attempt to create employment rather than producing cars that can compete in the world market. If someone is working in the Gulf, they must be knowing that there is a growing number of young uneducated/low educated Sau'ds who do not have work. And also that some categories of government jobs have now ceased for non - Sau'ds. I have a arabic teacher back in Bangalore who worked in Medina Munnawara, who was asked to pack up as the joker had decided to keep this position for Saudi people. He was working in the passport office. There might be many such attempts to create employement, but since this is an automotive forum, this one has come to light here.
	() Thanks

21st June 2010, 19:22	#25
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,211 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	I guess this like their first Ambassador Mark 1 motor vehicle
	() Thanks

21st June 2010, 19:46	#26
HammerHead Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Goan in Pune Posts: 1,254 Thanked: 653 Times View My Garage	Its not a looker for sure and at that price it neither something to boast about. That leaves the specs. Anyone has any info about the specs.? Found following link. Ghazal 1 Saudi First Car Made - Video
	() Thanks

22nd June 2010, 00:55	#27
stanjohn123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TN 75 Posts: 1,356 Thanked: 1,854 Times View My Garage	Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Personal attacks on any race / religion / nationality are STRICTLY prohibited on Team-BHP. Any such discriminating or derogatory comment is uncalled for. We advise you to read the Announcements and Board Rules section before proceeding any further, and to prevent your account from being permanently disabled. Last edited by GTO : 24th June 2010 at 10:19.
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22nd June 2010, 00:58	#28
stanjohn123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TN 75 Posts: 1,356 Thanked: 1,854 Times View My Garage	Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Personal attacks on any race / religion / nationality are STRICTLY prohibited on Team-BHP. Any such discriminating or derogatory comment is uncalled for. We advise you to read the Announcements and Board Rules section before proceeding any further, and to prevent your account from being permanently disabled. Last edited by GTO : 24th June 2010 at 10:20.
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22nd June 2010, 03:57	#29
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,356 Thanked: 10,075 Times	This attempt from Saudi give me a feeling that they're waking up from their long dream of living life by selling oil. They should've sensed the threat of alternate energy of power & hence they're trying to sell something to make their income. I could be wrong on this, but when they start making cars all of a sudden in a country where Toyotas, Hondas & whole lot of other cars rule, this is the impression I get.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2010, 05:05	#30
tj123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BLR Posts: 1,166 Thanked: 704 Times	Looks Chubby an ugly duckling, any ways a good try. The cost seems too steep to digest , I am sure the engine & transmission must have been transplanted. It takes lot to design an engine, not just money.
	() Thanks