Blacklane unveils Saudi Arabia expansion
The expansion follows the momentum of Blacklane's scale-up across Dubai and marks a considerable step in its continued growth across the Middle East. Blacklane now has operations in more than 50 countries.
Addressing the increasing demand for luxury and sustainable mobility services in the region, Blacklane will offer premium vehicles, with plans to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) in a future phase to set a new benchmark for sustainable mobility across the Kingdom. Plus, Blacklane's investment plans include the roll out of the Blacklane Chauffeur Academy providing professional training options to chauffeur partners in Saudi Arabia.
First-class options available on the Blacklane platform will include Blacklane's trademark black and white two-tone luxury vehicles.
Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder, Blacklane, said: 'Bringing our luxury chauffeur service to the Kingdom marks an exciting milestone in Blacklane's global expansion. Saudi is a key destination for sophisticated travellers and residents alike, and we're proud to introduce a new standard of reliable, high quality and seamless mobility to the region. We are dedicated to fostering local talent and supporting the continued growth of Saudi's thriving economic diversification'.
Michael Mueller, CEO of TASARU Mobility Investments, said: 'TASARU's investment in Blacklane marks a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to transform the mobility sector in Saudi Arabia. By introducing premium, sustainable chauffeur services and advanced training through the Chauffeur Academy, we're actively contributing to Vision 2030's objectives, including economic diversification, and local job creation. Blacklane's presence in the Kingdom not only enriches the mobility landscape but also sets the standard for future growth and innovation.'
Following the establishment of the Riyadh office, Blacklane has made several strategic appointments in the last few months as part of its expansion across the Kingdom. Led by general manager Adib Samara, this growing sales, marketing, operations and account management team is a critical component in the brand's expansion and investment across Saudi Arabia.
Blacklane provides chauffeur services in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Mecca. Presence across further cities in Saudi Arabia will be announced in the coming months.
For more information, visit www.blacklane.com.
ABOUT BLACKLANE
We are Blacklane, providers of premium global chauffeur services. Our mission is to create outstanding experiences for discerning guests by delivering perfect experiences around the world to inspire for a better future. Blacklane offers Airport Transfers, City-to-City commutes, In-City mobility options and chauffeur By-the-Hour services in over 50 countries globally, either pre-booked or on demand. Whether it's for business or pleasure, Blacklane and its 400 employees and thousands of chauffeur partners have the right premium transportation service for you. By changing how people move, we opened up new opportunities for our chauffeur providers and set industry standards for climate protection in the travel industry. Book on www.blacklane.com or download our app.
For further information, please contact press@blacklane.com or enquiries@lotus-arabia.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Arabian Post
Wealth Fund Cleans House of Key US Tech and Logistics Stocks
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds with nearly $1 trillion in assets, has completely divested from six prominent U. S.-listed firms during the second quarter of 2025. Filings reveal that PIF no longer holds any shares in Meta, Shopify, PayPal, Alibaba, Nu Holdings or FedEx. At the end of March, the fund still held significant stakes—for example, nearly 668,000 class A shares of Meta and 1.76 million shares of PayPal—yet by the close of June, it had fully exited these positions. This strategic shift resulted in a reduction of PIF's disclosed U. S. equity holdings from $25.5 billion in Q1 to $23.8 billion in Q2, including call options. The divestments occurred during a period when U. S. markets were rebounding from April's losses tied to tariff policy uncertainty. This recalibration aligns with PIF's broader Vision 2030 mandate, under which the fund is increasingly directing its capital toward domestic megaprojects like NEOM, as well as global sectors such as tourism, clean energy, logistics, and elite sports investments. ADVERTISEMENT In the second quarter, PIF's heaviest exposures remained in sectors aligned with innovation and entertainment. According to its Q2 13F filing, the top holdings comprised Uber, Electronic Arts, Lucid and Take-Two Interactive, maintaining a concentrated portfolio weighted toward high-growth technology and gaming assets. By contrast, positions in firms like Meta, PayPal and Alibaba—which once formed a portion of its U. S. portfolio—were eliminated entirely. The timing suggests a deliberate shift away from large-cap tech and fintech, perhaps reflecting changing priorities amid global market volatility and evolving geopolitical considerations. Exiting stakes in Meta and Shopify, which represented substantial tech exposure, signals a pivot toward sectors considered more resilient or strategically aligned with long-term national ambitions. PIF's move exemplifies its dual-track strategy: while shedding exposure to certain U. S.-listed technology and logistics firms, it continues to cement core holdings in key global brands and innovative sectors. As PIF steers more resources toward domestic transformation and sustainable sectors, its shifting portfolio underscores how sovereign wealth strategy can reflect broader economic and policy imperatives.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
Schneider Electric accelerates eMobility in Saudi Arabia with new solutions, strategic partnerships, and local empowerment
Empowering over 30 local partners through specialized training and certification Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced a series of impactful initiatives to expand its electric mobility (eMobility) footprint in Saudi Arabia, including product launches, partnerships, and Saudi workforce training programs. These efforts come as part of the company's broader commitment to support Vision 2030, promote sustainability, and accelerate the Kingdom's transition to cleaner transport systems. In a strategic move that underscores Schneider Electric's commitment to localized innovation, the company has launched two new EV charging solutions tailored for the Saudi market: the EVlink Pro DC 60 kW and the Schneider Charge Pro. The EVlink Pro DC 60 kW is a next-generation fast charging station designed to meet Saudi electrical standards. It offers a flexible and sustainable solution for commercial and industrial buildings, public charging infrastructure, and future fleet operations. Engineered for maximum energy efficiency and uptime, it ensures a seamless experience for both drivers and installers. The Schneider Charge Pro is a Level 2 AC (Medium-speed AC charging) commercial charger ideal for residential buildings and corporate fleet-at-home applications. Built for durability and rapid installation, it integrates smart energy management features, setting a new benchmark in commercial EV charging infrastructure. These launches support Saudi Arabia's target for 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh are electric by 2030, as part of a broader strategy to reduce the capital's by 50%. under new building codes by the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing (MOMAH) 5% of parking spaces in new developments must be equipped with EV charging infrastructure, while green building frameworks such as LEED and Mostadam, incentivize adoption of up to 10%. Schneider Electric's integrated eMobility and energy management platforms—such as EcoStruxure for eMobility—offer comprehensive, end-to-end, turnkey solutions that covers every stage of the EV charging journey. From connected products and edge control applications to ongoing maintenance, these solutions are backed by a robust network of certified local partners and an experienced in-house service team. This uniquely positions Schneider Electric to meet evolving standards and to empower cities, businesses, and individuals as they transition to cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable transportation systems. 'Empowering local capabilities is at the heart of our strategy,' said Mohamed Nagy, Vice President of Home & Distribution for KSA, Pakistan, Yemen, and Bahrain at Schneider Electric. 'We're not just introducing global solutions; we're cultivating a strong local ecosystem to drive the future of eMobility in Saudi Arabia. With a team of over 100 dedicated professionals and a growing network of partners, we're laying the foundations for a world-class EV charging infrastructure. As a long-standing partner to the Kingdom for over 44 years, Schneider Electric remains committed to advancing Vision 2030 through sustainable technologies technologies that are redefining how we move, work, and live.' A cornerstone of Schneider Electric's strategy is empowering local stakeholders. More than 30 Saudi-based professionals have been onboarded and trained through the eMobility EcoXpert Partner Program, equipping them with the tools and technical know-how to design, install, and maintain EV charging systems. as well as a number of partners who have completed the full eMobility sales training. Schneider Electric was among the first companies to receive official approval from the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) for its eMobility portfolio. The product's approval reinforces the company's dedication to compliance, safety, and performance in line with Saudi Arabia's rigorous regulatory framework. With global EV adoption set to expand fifteenfold by 2040, Schneider Electric is investing today in what the world and the Kingdom will need tomorrow, which is scalable, intelligent infrastructure backed by localized expertise. By enabling a seamless, smart charging experience everywhere, from homes and malls to office parks and logistics hubs, Schneider Electric is driving progress toward a net-zero mobility future. The momentum builds on the company's win of the EV Charger Technology Leader Award – KSA 2025, presented by Solarabic at the SunRise Arabia Clean Energy Conference. The recognition marks a key milestone for Schneider Electric's innovation efforts in the region and acknowledges its leadership in renewable energy technologies. eMobility will be a key focus at Schneider Electric's Innovation Summit Riyadh 2025, taking place 24–25 September under the theme 'Building a Sustainable Saudi Arabia.' Bringing together over 2,000 leaders from government, industry, and the private sector, the Summit will showcase advanced technologies and digitized solutions in energy management, sustainability, and operational efficiency, with sessions on intelligent buildings, resilient infrastructure, smart industries, and AI-ready data centers. -Ends- About Schneider Electric Schneider's purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On. Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers. We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all. Discover Life Is On
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
NMDC seals partnership with Falcon for mega Saudi project
Saudi Arabia - New Murabba Development Company said it has sealed a long-term partnership deal with Falcon's Creative Group, a US leader in entertainment experience design, to develop the creative vision and immersive experiences for Mukaab, the iconic centerpiece of New Murabba. Riyadh's ambitious vision for a modern downtown, New Murabba is a mixed-use real estate development under construction in northwestern part of Saudi capital and easternmost Diriyah. A major project backed by Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, the New Murabba is a $50-billion mixed-use development at the heart of the kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy, aimed at creating a vibrant downtown district that integrates innovation, sustainability and cultural depth. This ambitious 19-sq-km urban development is designed to deliver a future-ready, mixed-use downtown on an unprecedented scale, featuring 18 new neighbourhoods and setting new benchmarks in sustainability, technology integration, and urban vibrancy. Headquartered in Orlando, US, Falcon's Creative Group has more than 20 years of experience in creating theme park designs, master planning and immersive media production. This collaboration brings world-class expertise to one of the most ambitious mixed-use destinations ever conceived, remarked New Murabba Development Company CEO Michael Dyke after signing the deal with Cecil D. Magpuri, the CEO and co-founder of Falcon's Beyond, the parent company of Falcon's Creative Group. "Together, we're redefining how people live, explore, and engage with the urban world we know today, whilst re-imagining how we engage with another world tomorrow," he added. Copyright 2025 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
