Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Tesla opened its first showroom and service center in Riyadh on Thursday, marking its long-awaited entry into the Saudi market.

The launch, which also includes pop-up stores in Jeddah and Dammam, comes years after a rocky history between CEO Elon Musk and the kingdom, notably following the failed 2018 deal to take Tesla private with support from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, as reported by the Associated Press.

The new facility will offer Tesla’s Model 3, Model Y, and the highly anticipated Cybertruck. Despite the region’s intense heat and limited charging infrastructure, enthusiasm at the launch event was high.

Saudi Arabia aims to make 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh electric by 2030 as part of Vision 2030, and the government is working to expand EV charging networks. While challenges remain, Tesla’s entry signals growing momentum in the Kingdom’s electric vehicle ambitions.

Lucid Motors, a Tesla rival backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, is also expanding locally with a factory in Jeddah.