The Saudi Arabia National Automotive Manufacturing Company (SANAM) recently signed an agreement with the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) to increase the aluminum content in vehicles produced in Saudi Arabia. During a signing ceremony in Riyadh, Khaled S. Alohali, Ma'aden Vice President of Strategy and Aluminum, said "Ma'aden and SANAM are united in our goal of increasing the use of aluminum in the automotive industry as an alternative to iron. Ma'aden operates one of the world's largest fully integrated aluminum complexes and we are currently supplying Jaguar Land Rover with high quality auto sheet product from our world class rolling mill facility." Ma'aden Aluminum, a multi-billion dollar joint venture between Ma'aden and global aluminum leader Alcoa Corporation, is already producing high quality aluminum products for global customers. The joint venture has brought best in class aluminum production technology and expertise to the Kingdom and is ready to support the Saudi automotive industry in its goal to build a modern auto industry in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Fahd S. Al-Dohish, President and CEO of SNAM, said "we are excited about launching a world class factory for the manufacturing of automobiles and automotive parts within the industrial city of Jubail. We are working now to develop joint ventures with local and international companies in order to attract the expertise required to build integrated, sustainable and high tech automotive manufacturing facilities over a dedicated area in Jubail covering one million square meters. In the next few years, we plan to put Saudi Arabia on the global map of automotive manufacturing, in direct support of the goals identified in Saudi Vision 2030." — SG
