His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, laid yesterday the cornerstone for the headquarters of the W Motors automobile factory in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, which is being built at a cost of up to 370 million dirhams, on an area of ​​120 thousand square feet, While the production capacity of the factory will reach 200 cars annually.

W Motors reported that the new plant, which will produce sports, electric and self-driving cars, is scheduled to open in early October, noting that the factory will provide 150 jobs in the first two years, while 520 jobs are planned in the next five years.

Global laboratory

In detail, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said that “Dubai continues to strengthen its leadership position as a global laboratory open to the latest technology applications,” noting that “the Emirate attracts foreign investments directly, global technology companies and promising emerging companies , And Entrepreneurs from all over the world ».

His Highness added, on the sidelines of the foundation stone laying ceremony for the headquarters of the "W Motors" automobile factory in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, that "working on the completion of the comprehensive geographical economic map of Dubai, which is being developed by the Dubai Free Zones Council, pursuant to the terms of the fiftieth document Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, it will contribute to advancing the economic wheel in the emirate and enhance the economic diversification policy pursued by the state.

His Highness pointed out that «in this context, the free zones in Dubai, including the Dubai Silicon Oasis, are the focus of attention of major companies that are constantly searching for advanced integrated work systems, with the aim of expanding their business at the local, regional and global levels.

Attracting investments

In turn, the Vice President and CEO of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, said that «the car factory that was launched in the oasis is the first of its kind in the country and the region, and it also keeps pace with the Oasis Authority’s plans to attract quality industries investments that are related to the technical sectors in various Domains ».

He referred to «preparing to attract four new factories operating in different technological sectors of the oasis during the coming period, after the completion of studies to establish its investments in the region».

He added that «(Dubai Silicon Authority) has action plans to attract specific investments, and not just to attract companies in general, as the focus is on attracting companies that rely on specific industrial technologies that are considered to be of added value.

Rental rates

Al-Zarouni said, "The authority has implemented programs to stabilize and stabilize rental rates for companies during the past year, while it intends to work on the same plans to install rental rates without increases during the current year."

He stressed that «the establishment of the (W Motors) factory in the oasis will constitute a new and qualitative addition to the sports car industry in Dubai and the UAE, especially as these industries require a diverse supply chain of products and services, which will constitute a wide range of opportunities in the areas of smart driving technologies and related products and services» .

Cost

For his part, Ralf Dabbas, the founder and CEO of W Motors, said that "the total investment of the company’s factory in the Dubai Silicon Oasis region will reach 370 million dirhams, while the production capacity of the factory will reach 200 cars annually", pointing out that "the factory will be built on An area of ​​120 thousand square feet.

Dabbas added that «the factory is scheduled to open in the beginning of next October, before the launch of the Expo 2020 Dubai», noting that «the factory will provide the first two years 150 jobs, while it is planned to provide 520 jobs during the next five years».

Manufacturing processes

Dabbas stated that “the manufacturing business will now withdraw from Italy to the new factory in Dubai with its opening next October.” He explained that “the factory will include manufacturing operations for 60% of the auto parts, while the remaining percentages for the auto parts will be collected, with the import of engines and structures. From European markets. ”

He explained that «the factory will work on manufacturing sports cars, in addition to electric cars whose engines will be assembled in Dubai, in addition to the production of self-driving cars, a prototype has been completed recently.

Dabbas continued that «the factory will produce cars in the name of the model (Ghiath), which comes with high specifications, including providing them with two drones, cameras with high accuracy and optical zoom capabilities», pointing out that «10 of them will be produced for Dubai Police according to a joint agreement before the end of the year Ongoing. ”

Project stages

The founder and CEO of W Motors, Ralph Dabbas, said that the first phase of the company’s project in Dubai Silicon Oasis includes three sections, which are the manufacturing division, and it consists of a maintenance workshop, as well as two other parts, the first for assembly, and the second to manufacture prototypes .

Dabbas added that the factory will include the latest machines equipped with advanced smart technologies to produce carbon fiber, aluminum and other parts. The headquarters will also include design, engineering, research and development and training centers, in addition to the independent development and technology department.

He pointed out that the second and final stage of the project will include the "W Motors" Auto Academy, which will offer training courses in design, engineering, transportation and artificial intelligence, in addition to accredited programs that meet the needs of students and trainees from all over the world.

- 150

A job the new factory will provide in the first two years.

The new plant, scheduled to open in October 2020, will produce sports, electric and self-driving cars.