Automotive
Geely Auto reinforces global expansion with record-breaking international sales in the first half of 2024
Geely Auto Group has announced its latest sales data. In the first half of 2024, the company reported a total of 955,730 vehicles sold, marking a 41% increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, the overseas market demonstrated exceptional performance, with Geely International sales reaching 197,428 vehicles, representing a substantial year-on-year growth of over 67%. This growth rate represents a new historical high for the company.
Commenting on the impressive global sales figures for Geely, Yikang Ding (Lucas), Regional Sales Manager, GEELY Auto Middle East, said: “We are thrilled to witness this unprecedented growth of the Geely brand worldwide. These impressive figures make it clear that Geely Auto’s high-value proposition is rapidly gaining global recognition. Our growth in the Middle East has been driven by our partnerships with well-established and trusted dealerships such as AGMC, who support our vision to deliver mobility experiences that exceed global expectations. We are grateful to our partners in supporting our global expansion, and look forward to working with AGMC to achieve more exceptional results in the United Arab Emirates in the future.”
Commenting on the success of the Geely brand in the UAE, Dr. Andreas Schaaf, CEO – Geely Group Brands at AGMC, added: “We are proud to have played our own part in this incredible success story since recommencing sales of Geely vehicles in the United Arab Emirates, having enjoyed sales of 3392 vehicles in H1 of 2024 alone. Combining exceptional quality with impressive performance and advanced technologies, all for a highly compelling price point, Geely vehicles offer incredible value to our customers in the UAE. We look forwarding to bringing even more exciting models to the UAE, offering an exceptional ownership experience underpinned by AGMC’s exceptional reputation for aftersales service and customer care.”
Overseas Growth a Key Pillar
The significant expansion in Geely’s overseas business underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to its globalisation strategy. Geely continues to emphasise a “high-value global expansion” approach, systematically enhancing its global presence through advancements in product development, service quality, channel expansion, and supply chain optimisation.
With the acceleration of Geely’s global expansion and the enhancement of its international influence, the company has achieved high-quality market share in multiple countries. As of 31 May 2024, Geely has ranked among the top three in terms of Chinese brand vehicle sales in 14 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Philippines.
The Coolray SUV, known for its exceptional performance and dynamic design, has not only set new standards for “hot hatch” models domestically, but has also become the top choice for B-segment SUVs internationally. In the first half of 2024, Coolray ranked among the top three Chinese brands in terms of sales in its segments in seven countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Qatar and Panama.
Geely’s flagship model, the Monjaro, has set a new record for the brand’s overseas sales in the first half of 2024. In terms of sales, the Monjaro is the top three Chinese automotivebrands in five countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
2024 is a pivotal year for Geely’s development in global markets, with the annual export target increasing from 330,000 to 380,000 units. Looking ahead, Geely Auto International will further focus on market segmentation, product innovation, brand rejuvenation, and global supply chains enhancement, to ensure sustainable high-quality growth in the global market. Geely Global will also continue to deepen its globalisation strategy, providing more diversified products and high-quality services to all consumers.
Automotive
AW Rostamani Group and e& Sign Partnership to Drive EV Adoption Across the UAE
AW Rostamani Group (AWR), one of the UAE’s leading family business groups whose automotive vertical has been servicing consumers’ mobility needs for more than 50 years, and Charge&go, the electric mobility subsidiary of e& have joined forces to drive the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the UAE. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the second day of GITEX 2024, the world’s largest technology event, the partnership aims to support the UAE government’s ambitions to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in the UAE.
Aligning with the global sustainability agenda, this strategic partnership showcases AWR Group’s efforts to address the perceived barrier of ‘range anxiety’ by making EV ownership more convenient for its existing customers and offering an incentive to those considering buying an EV vehicle. This strategic move builds on the Group’s introduction of premium electric mobility brand ZEEKR to the UAE earlier this year, expanding consumer choice in the country’s growing EV segment. The collaboration represents a shared vision towards easing charging-related concerns and establishing an optimal EV adoption journey.
Under this partnership, AWR Group customers will benefit from exclusive EV charging benefits, bundled packages, and access to Charge&go’s extensive network of charging stations across the UAE. To further enhance the EV experience, Charge&go will install charging stations at various properties under the AWR Properties portfolio, including showrooms, offering customers convenient charging solutions and a seamless EV experience.
Commenting on the partnership, Mahesh Rohra, Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer at AWR Group stated: “By listening to our customers, we understand that a key barrier to EV adoption is the availability of a comprehensive charging infrastructure. Through this partnership with Charge&go, we’re addressing this perceived concern head-on, making EV ownership more convenient and accessible for our customers. This exciting collaboration aligns with AWR Group’s ongoing commitment to sustainable mobility, contributing to a greener future for the UAE and supporting the nation’s zero-emission goals.”
Muammar AlRukhaimi, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Services Holding, said: “Our collaboration with AWR Group marks a strategic step in making electric vehicle ownership more appealing in the UAE. By expanding the charging infrastructure and delivering exclusive customer benefits, we’re breaking down the barriers to EV adoption and driving the nation’s transition toward a more sustainable, eco-friendly future.”
Together, AWR Group and e& are committed to revolutionising the UAE’s electric mobility industry, providing a seamless customer experience to drive EV adoption.
Automotive
smart and AW Rostamani Group Partner to Launch Premium Electric Vehicles in the UAE
smart, the iconic premium intelligent all-electric auto brand, has made a bold entry into the UAE market in partnership with AW Rostamani Group, one of the UAE’s leading family business groups whose automotive vertical has been servicing UAE consumers’ mobility needs for more than 50 years. The highly anticipated launch event took place on Monday 21st October 2024 at the prestigious Armani Hotel, Dubai, against the impressive backdrop of the Burj Khalifa.
The launch event is a key pillar of smart‘s global flagship brand introduction, establishing “open your mind” as its claim. By introducing a range of cutting-edge electric vehicles (EVs), smart and AW Rostamani Group aim to redefine the future of driving in the region, highlighting what premium means in the EV space with a key focus on modern, sustainable engineering, and exceptional customer experience.
The debut of the smart #1 and smart #3 models at the event is aligned with smart’s core values of “contemporary premium,” “mindful technology,” and “inspirational co-creation.” These brand fundamentals are embodied through the exquisite features of the EV lineup and the premium customer experience. The smart #1 and #3 models offer three trims: Pro+, Premium, and Brabus, the latter featuring performance enhancements such as the Brabus #3’s 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds.
The smart #1 is a sport utility vehicle with a spacious, high-tech interior, while the smart #3 is a sport-utility coupe with a striking shark-nose design and sporty curves. Both models come in a variety of colours, allowing customers to enjoy the sophistication of the Brabus trim.
The strategic partnership with AW Rostamani Group, augmented by the combined strengths of Mercedes-Benz and Geely, marks an exciting chapter as smart brings these trendsetting EVs to a country that is diverse and embraces both heritage and innovation, signifying a step towards the UAE’s vision of sustainable, zero-emission mobility. This presents a unique opportunity for existing Mercedes owners in UAE to complement their existing vehicles with the new product range from smart.
Michel Ayat, CEO of AWR Automotive, stated, “We are thrilled to bring smart to the UAE market at such a pivotal time for sustainable mobility. Through our partnership, we are aligning smart’s slogan “open your mind” with the UAE’s green initiatives. Our shared vision of contemporary premium and mindful technology ensures that our customers experience unparalleled sleek modern design and sustainability, redefining their expectations for electric vehicles in the UAE.”
Yen Fong Raad, GM of smart Mobility at AWR, added: “The smart brand has a rich heritage, coupled with the combined strengths of Mercedes Benz and Geely Group, we are positioned to take the UAE market by storm. With AW Rostamani Group’s decades of success in automotive leadership in the UAE market where diversity, culture, innovation and businesses thrive, the stars have aligned for us to open our mind to greater heights together.”
Mandy Zhang, Global CMO of smart Automobile, remarked: “smart is on a drive to achieve new heights of development. ‘open your mind’ is more than just a brand claim – it’s a philosophy that guides every innovation and decision. Launching the smart #1 and #3 in Dubai, where special heritage meets cutting-edge technology, mirrors our vision perfectly. We look forward to working with AW Rostamani to help transform urban lifestyles for our customers with creativity, sustainability, and like Dubai’s architecture, a continuous push towards new heights of excellence and innovation.”
As electric vehicles continue to gain traction in the UAE, smart and AWR Group are poised to accelerate the movement towards UAE’s vision for net zero emission by 2050 as well as AW Rostamani Group’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework.
Automotive
MG Motor Prepares for Global and Regional Premieres with Three Model Launches
MG Motor Middle East has announced the British-born brand’s plan to launch three new models in the Middle East during the Jeddah International Motor Show. As the Kingdom’s premier automotive event draws near, and as MG continues to celebrate its centenary this year, the brand is preparing to further strengthen its presence and impact with a display of 15 of its latest models, one of which will be a global premiere with the other set for a regional unveiling.
Held at the Jeddah Superdome from October 29th to November 2nd, the motor show serves as a pivotal platform for automotive brands to engage with industry leaders, potential customers, and media representatives. MG’s participation in this prestigious event underscores the brand’s commitment to the Saudi Arabian market, which remains a crucial driver in the brand’s ongoing regional expansion.
Tom Lee, Managing Director of MG Motor Middle East, commented: “The Jeddah International Motor Show is one of the most important automotive events in the region, and MG’s participation reflects our dedication to the Saudi market and our wider vision for growth across the Middle East. We are excited to present a diverse line-up of models that exemplify our commitment to innovation, performance, and customer satisfaction.”
This year’s motor show will see MG Motor offer visitors a close look at a wide array of vehicles, from electric and hybrid options to fuel-efficient sedans and robust SUVs. With the Saudi market continuing to embrace the latest in automotive technology, MG is well-positioned to highlight its cutting-edge advancements, including electric mobility, advanced safety features, and the integration of the latest infotainment systems.
With Saudi Arabia’s automotive industry rapidly evolving, MG Motor remains at the forefront of this transformation. The company’s participation in the Jeddah International Motor Show aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, which emphasise the importance of innovation, sustainability, and future-forward technology within the local automotive landscape. Building on the strong presence MG has in the region, the brand’s display is set to create excitement and anticipation during The Jeddah International Motor Show, which will offer visitors an exclusive chance to witness MG’s progress and future vision firsthand.
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