NIO, a global leader in premium smart electric vehicles, sets a new benchmark in intelligent mobility in the Middle East. With a full-stack suite of smart computing, software, and sensing technologies, all NIO vehicles are purpose-built for performance, safety, and adaptability.

At the heart of NIO’s digital intelligence is ADAM, its advanced central computer cluster, capable of processing high-performance tasks in real time, including autonomous driving operations and intelligent cockpit engagement. Banyan, NIO’s proprietary operating system, powers seamless user interaction with adaptive learning, continuous enhancements via OTA (over-the-air) updates, and an intuitive, user-friendly interface that evolves with the driver’s preferences.

Supporting this digital ecosystem is Aquila, NIO’s super sensing system equipped with 33 high-performance sensing units, including LiDAR, radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, offering 360° environmental awareness and precision driving feedback.

Completing the intelligent package is NOMI, the in-vehicle AI assistant that brings a human touch to technology. While built on advanced AI, NOMI is designed to interact with empathy – learning the driver’s habits, moods, and routines to personalize the in-car experience and create a more natural, conversational interface.

True to NIO’s design philosophy, each vehicle follows NIO’s Design DNA of Pure, Human, Progressive and Sophisticated. Exterior styling draws inspiration from the purity of aerodynamic efficiency while delivering progressive silhouettes that exude elegance in motion. Inside, NIO vehicles are crafted with premium tactile materials, customizable ambient lighting, and ergonomics designed for driver and passenger harmony. Every detail, from seamlessly integrated screens to intuitive controls, reflects a commitment to a functional and sophisticated human space.

Manufactured with rigorous standards, NIO’s lineup delivers smooth ride quality, structural integrity, and uncompromising safety, validated by 5-star Euro NCAP safety ratings across many of its products.

Available in the Middle East, NIO’s electric lineup include the flagship six-seat EL8, the dynamic coupe SUV EC6, and the sleek, mid-size sedan ET5. Each of these models have been engineered for local conditions, including enhanced AC compressors to tackle high temperatures and locally configured software to optimize performance in desert environments. The driving experience is elevated further through standard luxurious features such as ventilated massage seats, a 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos sound system, a panoramic glass roof, and hidden air vents, all meticulously designed to reflect understated opulence.

Setting NIO apart is its Battery Swapping technology, a game-changer for EV users in the region. In as little as three minutes, drivers can swap a depleted battery for a charged one, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum convenience. This service is backed by NIO’s expanding Power Swap Station infrastructure, integrated with the NIO App for effortless scheduling and vehicle management.

Beyond the car, the NIO ecosystem, including NIO House, NIO Power, and the NIO App offers a lifestyle experience that blends community, tech, and sustainability. Whether it’s accessing exclusive lounges, booking a swap session, or exploring vehicle features, every touchpoint is thoughtfully designed around the user.

“Our vision goes far beyond electric vehicles. We are building an intelligent, premium, and user-centric ecosystem that reimagines what mobility can be. With our in-built tech, NIO is bringing not just products, but a new paradigm of smart, luxurious, and sustainable transportation, said Mohammed Maktari, Chief Executive Officer of NIO MENA.

As the Middle East accelerates its transition to clean energy and digital infrastructure, NIO stands ready to shape the future, where intelligent vehicles become platforms for personal expression, efficiency, and global innovation.

Exclusive Interview with Tom Kilroy, Chief Executive Officer at Keyloop

How is Keyloop’s unified Fusion platform approach fundamentally changing automotive retail?

Fusion is an end-to-end Automotive Retail Platform (ARP) that will help motor retailers across the Middle East manage and optimise the full vehicle sales and aftersales process – from initial enquiry through to ownership and retention.

Fusion is different to anything automotive retailers have seen before, incorporating four distinct ‘domains’: Demand, Supply, Ownership, and Operate – and covering all key functions within a dealership’s business. Our Drive Dealer Management System (DMS) is a critical element in the Operate domain.

Each of Fusion’s domains draws upon information held in the platform’s Active Data Core, which provides users in all departments with a single comprehensive record of customer interactions and transactions. This is in line with our commitment to provide a way of working that prioritises outcomes, making efficiency, automation, and an AI-driven future a core part of Keyloop’s strategy.  

What leadership principle has proven universal in your transition from finance to enterprise tech, to automotive retail?

The guiding principle for me in all these areas is the importance of convenience, for customers and for users. I have found it important to keep that concept right at the centre of what we do and to put it first as we consider “how can things be improved?”. It requires bringing the right information to the right place at the right time, making the experience far more convenient for the customer. We saw this in finance with the move to online banking, being accessible 24 hours of the day. And the same applies in automotive retail.

So, whether it’s paying a bill through your phone, booking your car in for a service with your trusted dealer, or browsing for a new car, the ultimate goal is convenience. At Keyloop we call this “Experience-First” which we use to guide our direction.

How is Fusion helping bridge gaps between vehicle supply, retail demand, and financing processes?

Fusion tools and functionality can be deployed rapidly and securely for organisations of all sizes, even major dealer groups operating in multiple countries and with distribution networks of sites representing a diverse portfolio of vehicle brands. Fusion puts the customer at the heart of all activity, helping retailers deliver positive customer outcomes and amplify revenues through the full purchase and ownership cycle. It also streamlines and automates key processes to reduce operational costs, making businesses more agile.

What advantages does the Fusion platform offer fleet suppliers in managing large-scale vehicle operations?

Keyloop pulls from more than 9,000 OEM integrations to help facilitate a connected user and customer journey. Fleet suppliers can either select the elements of the Fusion ARP that best meet their requirements or introduce the full platform across the entire business.

Our intelligent inventory and asset risk management tools provide a single source of truth, enabling more proactive and strategic decision-making when it comes to vehicle supply, pricing and advertising. Whether you’re managing new, used, pipeline or fleet vehicles, our technology gives you the insights and tools to keep stock moving, profitably. The outcomes? Maximised vehicle visibility, faster stock turn, greater profit per day and reduced advertising spend.

Reducing days in stock starts with having complete visibility of every vehicle in your ecosystem. Keyloop’s Vehicle Hub allows fleet providers to centrally manage all stock, providing a consistent, up-to-date view of vehicles and more importantly vehicle status across all sales channels and teams. Regardless of the sales models they follow, this data clarity helps them act quickly and with confidence. What’s more, tools like Keyloop’s Fleetbase streamlines complex order processes that can be often fragmented, bringing everything into one simplified flow. It’s a unified approach that saves time and helps turn stock faster.

How is Keyloop adapting its platform to support the unique sales cycles of EVs and hybrids?

Fusion accommodates all vehicles but recognises the lesser impact of EVs on the aftersales journey. The platform creates efficiencies elsewhere to help make up the shortfall and to focus on adding other valuable services. We also offer the ability to search for charging points via our front-end ecommerce websites, working with integration partners to offer greater awareness of EVs and the different makes, models and battery types available to consumers.

How are regulatory changes around data privacy impacting automotive retail platforms?

As guidelines evolve, the automotive industry is facing heightened responsibility when it comes to data handling and consumer transparency. Regulatory changes concerning data privacy are inevitably shaping new motor retail technologies.

At Keyloop, we prioritise robust data protection methods and seamless integration of our solutions. This ensures regulatory compliance is always met, enabling dealerships to navigate the evolving complexities of the regulatory landscape, while continuing to deliver exceptional customer service.

How do you see the role of physical dealerships evolving over the next decade?

For many, a car is one of the biggest purchases they’ll ever make, so offering an exemplary experience is crucial and a core Fusion value. Retailers know that the conventional dealership showroom model needs to evolve, and they are gradually shifting towards experience centres, with less stock on site and more immersive technology available for visitors. The industry is already offering customers in-store visualisation and car-building technology, so augmented reality isn’t far off.

Rather than managing four walls and focusing on closing sales, retailers are beginning to manage an ecosystem and build strong, retainable customer relationships online and offline – all made possible thanks to the cohesive management of data and the integration of customer-first technology such as Fusion.

DEEPAL, the intelligent electric mobility brand under Changan Automobile, is expanding its regional footprint with the launch of the DEEPAL S05 across key Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets starting July 2025. Following a successful first unveiling in the United Arab Emirates, the S05 will soon be available in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Ivory Coast, Angola, and Palestine.

With its 216HP, 0-100 acceleration in less than eight seconds, large space and intelligent driving experience, the DEEPAL S05 represents a bold new chapter for electric vehicles in the MEA region.

“With the launch of the DEEPAL S05 across MEA markets, we’re introducing a product that reflects the everyday needs of modern, tech-forward drivers,” said Mr Xiao, General Manager of Changan Automobile’s Middle East and Africa Division. “It’s smart, versatile, and designed to meet the growing regional demand for clean, connected mobility.”

Accessible Electric Innovation Built for the Region

The DEEPAL S05 is a next-generation compact SUV, offering two versions to suit varying driving patterns and infrastructure:

• EV variant: Delivers a pure electric range of up to 460 km
• REEV variant: Offers a 160 km electric range with a built-in 1.5L range extender for longer distances and charging flexibility, and the combined range is more than 900 km

Built on DEEPAL’s advanced CPA architecture, the S05 is engineered for performance, safety, and seamless connectivity. Its agile size and futuristic cockpit design make it ideal for MEA cities where innovation and practicality go hand-in-hand.

Notable Features

• Performance: Rear-wheel drive layout with 160 kW(REV)/175KW(BEV) power output
• Interior: Panoramic sunroof, zero-gravity seats, AR-HUD
• Tech: 15.4” central display, smart voice assistant, OTA upgrades
• Design: Aerodynamic form, frameless window, hidden door handles
• Safety: Active and passive driver assistance systems, radar technology

The S05 stands apart as a product that delivers the premium feel and innovation of high-end EV brands at a more accessible price point. Its dual-power flexibility (REEV and EV) also ensures adaptability in markets where charging infrastructure is still developing.

MEA Rollout Begins July 2025

After a strong start in the UAE, DEEPAL is partnering with leading local distributors to bring the S05 to customers across MEA. The launch is part of DEEPAL’s long-term commitment to offering clean, intelligent vehicles that suit local driving needs and environmental ambitions.

Customers in participating MEA markets will soon be able to register interest and book showroom appointments to experience the S05 firsthand. Specific market launch dates, pricing, and test drive details will be announced in July.