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Saudi Wood Expo, the country’s largest event for the wood and woodworking industries, returned to Riyadh for its second edition today, taking place from Sept. 1–3 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Organized by dmg events and powered by Big 5 Construct Saudi, the event brought together leading suppliers, manufacturers, designers and buyers from across the wood and woodworking industry, featuring over 3,500 products and solutions from more than 200 exhibitors spanning over 30 countries.

As industry leaders and government officials converge in Riyadh, the exhibition offers three days of hands-on sourcing and strategic networking, giving attendees a front-row seat to the latest innovations, solutions and business opportunities in the region.

Visitors will experience an interactive exhibition floor designed to inspire and inform. The Wood Artisans Zone will spotlight leading talent from ������Ƶ, featuring live demonstrations from wood carving artists Abdullah Al-Silani and Ahmed Al-Shadoukhi; visual artists Wijdan Al-Jahwri, Ahmed Al-Nkhlani and Hind Al-Khamis; and wood artists Ahmed Al-Furaih and Fahad Al-Omran. Together, they will showcase how traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artistry intersect in the creation of unique wooden pieces.

The Wood Design Trail highlights exhibitors whose wood solutions stand out for exceptional design, durability and functionality. From premium finishes and materials to innovative joinery and interior fit-out applications, this feature celebrates products that combine aesthetic appeal with long-lasting performance, redefining how wood shapes spaces and elevates design.

The Wood Around the World feature showcases timber diversity through the visually engaging Knowledge Wood Wall, presenting international wood varieties and applications. Industry professionals will also test their skills in the WoodU Do It? challenge, a hands-on competition where participants race against the clock to drill as many screws as possible into a wooden surface, with prizes to be given away. Complementing these interactive zones, exhibitors will host live demonstrations of their latest products and machinery, offering visitors a firsthand look at modern solutions.

Leading brands participating include Desert Board, PROADEC along with SURTECO, SLABH Industrial Solutions, Saudi Wooden Industries, Saudi Industrial Machinery Wood Panels Company, Salco Laminates Industries, Al-Tajweed Contracting and Trading, among others.

The exhibition also features international pavilions from Turkiye, China and Italy, along with showcases, providing visitors direct access to the latest innovations from across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

Saudi Wood Expo is expected to welcome more than 10,000 professionals under one roof, including industry leaders like IKEA, MACE, Abunayyan and Abyat, as well as giga-project stakeholders from Red Sea Global and Omrania. Government bodies such as Riyadh Municipality and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources have already registered, reflecting strong public sector support for the wood sector.

On July 29, the 2025 Fortune Global 500 list was officially released worldwide. Chery Holding Group Co. Ltd. climbed to 233rd place, rising 152 positions from 2024, making it the fastest-rising automaker of the year. Meanwhile, Chery’s cumulative vehicle exports have surpassed 5 million units, maintaining its position as China’s No.1 auto exporter.

Chery’s premium new energy brand for global markets, EXEED, has seen sustained sales growth over the past month. In July, its RX PHEV model continued to perform strongly in core European markets such as the UK, Spain, and Italy. In the UK, sales reached 291 units, up 117 percent month on month. Spain led its segment with 599 units sold, underscoring the model’s growing appeal.

In Italy, 147 units were sold, placing the model at the forefront of the D-segment SUV category. Meanwhile, EXEED is accelerating its expansion in the Middle East, with the RX PHEV set to officially launch in ������Ƶ this year, redefining the standards of premium mobility in the region with its cutting-edge technology DNA.

As an SUV equipped with next-generation global hybrid technology, the RX PHEV features the largest-in-class 34.46 kWh battery in Europe. It delivers an electric-only WLTP range of up to 145 km — and achieved an impressive 169 km during real-world testing. Combined with a 70-liter fuel tank, the total range exceeds 1,100 km, while fuel consumption is as low as 1.7 liter/100 km. Additionally, its 65 kW DC fast-charging system enables the battery to charge from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 25 minutes, easing range anxiety.

In terms of safety, the RX PHEV sets a new benchmark in its class with outstanding real-world test results. It earned a 5-star rating in the E-NCAP safety assessment, scoring 90 percent for adult occupant protection, 85 percent for child occupant protection, 81 percent for vulnerable road user protection, and 80 percent for safety assist systems. Its performance in adult protection, pedestrian safety, and driver assistance even surpasses that of premium models such as the Audi Q5.

From long-distance hybrid performance testing across nine European countries to 5-star safety certification and real-world validation at premium events, the strength of RX PHEV has been proven in both market and scenario-based trials. Looking ahead, EXEED will partner with leading Saudi media outlets for a photo shoot at the Edge of the World, capturing the seamless harmony between the vehicle and the region’s breathtaking landscapes.

The brand will also host media test drives covering its full range of new energy models, alongside thrilling track sessions designed to showcase the vehicles’ dynamic performance. In addition, the highly anticipated RX model — alongside the AiMOGA robot powered by EXEED’s advanced technologies — will soon arrive in the Saudi market, continuing to expand the range of premium choices and distinctive services