JTA and WATT partner to establish Qatar’s first dedicated electric vehicle manufacturing facility. Doha-based JTA International Investment Holding and UK-based WATT Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) have entered a long-term strategic partnership to jointly design, engineer, and manufacture EVs tailored for Gulf markets.
EVs Engineered for Gulf Conditions
The project will cover the complete vehicle development cycle, including proprietary platform technology, vehicle engineering, product development, production planning, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. JTA and WATT partner plans centre on vehicles engineered for extreme Gulf conditions, with development focused on advanced thermal management, dust ingress protection, and optimized battery performance in high temperatures.
WEVC will lead vehicle engineering and product development from the UK, drawing on its expertise in low-to-medium-volume electric passenger and commercial vehicles. Its patented lightweight aluminum architecture and proprietary modular EV platform, developed and validated in Britain, will underpin the Qatar-built models.
Two EV Models Planned
Production is targeted to begin in early 2028, initially with two models: a passenger car and a medium delivery van. Both will use WEVC’s modular aluminum “skateboard” chassis. Initial production is expected to reach around 5,000 vehicles annually, with the facility capable of scaling output as demand grows.
Final assembly and manufacturing will take place in Qatar under a “Made in Qatar” identity, while the initial market focus will be domestic. The company plans to expand exports to the wider GCC and selected international markets over time as production scales.
Building Qatar’s EV Industry
JTA will contribute investment strength, international partnerships, and regional market knowledge to support the development of Qatar’s EV manufacturing ecosystem. JTA and WATT partner ambitions extend beyond vehicle production, with the programme expected to strengthen regional supply chains, accelerate technology transfer, encourage research and development, localize advanced manufacturing technologies and create a skilled automotive workforce.
Dr. Amir Ali Salemi Zadeh, founder and CEO of JTA Investment Holding, said the vehicles would be engineered around Gulf operating conditions, climate, and customer expectations, with the wider vision of positioning Qatar as a regional leader in advanced manufacturing, clean mobility, and automotive innovation.
WEVC founder and CEO Neil Yates said its platform enables rapid customization while addressing Gulf requirements, including thermal management, battery performance, and regional usage patterns.
The project also supports Qatar National Vision 2030 by linking EV manufacturing with industrial development, skills creation, and economic diversification.
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