Ford to Enter Saudi Arabia’s EV Market with Mustang Mach-E Launch in November

Ford Motor Co. is gearing up to make its entry into Saudi Arabia’s growing electric vehicle market with the launch of its first EV — the Mustang Mach-E — this November. The American automaker plans to introduce between 500 and 1,000 units in the Kingdom as part of an initial rollout aimed at testing consumer demand.

Ravi Ravichandran, president of Ford Middle East and North Africa, confirmed the development in an interview with Arab News, saying, “We are launching the Mustang Mach-E full battery this year. We are looking at 500-1,000 units, how we see the response and how good it is, and if there is a demand, we can always produce more.”

The move marks Ford’s first step into Saudi Arabia’s EV sector at a time when the market is gaining strong momentum. Electric vehicle sales in the Kingdom have been bolstered by government initiatives and the entry of major players such as the Public Investment Fund-backed Lucid Motors, Chinese manufacturer BYD, and Ceer — Saudi Arabia’s first locally developed EV brand.

While the launch signifies Ford’s confidence in the region’s potential, Ravichandran noted that demand for fully electric vehicles remains limited for now. “At this point, we don’t see a battery electric as a significant demand in the region,” he said, explaining that hybrids currently attract greater interest both in the Middle East and in the US.

He added that the Mustang Mach-E, positioned in the high-performance segment, will come with premium pricing. In the US, the model initially saw positive consumer response, partly driven by government incentives for EV buyers.

Ford is also expanding its hybrid portfolio in Saudi Arabia with the introduction of the new Territory hybrid. “Over the next five years, we will see more hybrids, and then the EV will take a bit more time,” Ravichandran said, suggesting a gradual transition toward full electrification.

Saudi Arabia aims to cut carbon emissions by 50 percent and convert 30 percent of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030. To support this shift, entities such as EVIQ — a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and Saudi Electricity Co. — are investing heavily in EV infrastructure. EVIQ plans to install over 5,000 fast chargers across 1,000 locations nationwide to address range anxiety and improve charging accessibility.

Ravichandran emphasized Ford’s readiness to collaborate with local stakeholders as the market evolves. “If the government and industry are shifting toward battery electric, we will be part of that growth story — in terms of infrastructure and in terms of how the government wants to move in that direction,” he said.

The entry of Ford adds further momentum to Saudi Arabia’s fast-developing EV ecosystem, as global manufacturers compete for an early foothold in the Kingdom’s ambitious mobility transformation.