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Hala Expands Accessibility with New WhatsApp Ride Booking Service

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Hala launches WhatsApp booking for taxis in Dubai

Hala, Dubai’s most convenient e-hailing taxi solution, launched its WhatsApp booking platform as an additional channel for securing Hala rides in the city. This development will make it easier and more accessible for Dubai residents and visitors to access transportation with a simple text message.

As part of the new launch, Hala introduced a WhatsApp chatbot to manage booking requests, streamlining the process, and reinforcing Hala’s commitment to using technology to improve Dubai’s mobility options. The interactive chatbot will ensure customers enjoy an intuitive and friendly user experience. Additionally, passengers booking rides through WhatsApp will enjoy the same prices as those made via the Careem application.

Khaled Nuseibeh, Chief Executive Officer at Hala said, “We are excited to bring WhatsApp bookings to our customers across Dubai, making their booking process fast and more accessible.  As one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, WhatsApp allows us to reach a wider audience and engage with its large user base in the city. By introducing this additional booking channel, Hala continues to make a difference in the way people commute daily across Dubai.”

The WhatsApp ride-booking feature is simple and quick to use:

  1. Passengers can message ‘Hi’ to 800 HALATAXI (4252 8294) to start the booking process. The Hala chatbot will request the passenger’s location to book a ride.
  2. Passengers will then receive a booking confirmation along with the captain’s information and estimated arrival time.
  3. Real-time updates are provided, allowing customers to track their ride until the taxi arrives.
  4. Passengers will receive a live tracking link, which can be shared with friends and family to monitor their journey.
  5. Users can pay at the drop-off location via card or cash.

The service is available 24/7, providing passengers with easy access to rides at any time of day or night. In addition to WhatsApp bookings, Hala continues to offer its regular booking option through the Careem application. This ensures that Dubai residents and tourists benefit from a smooth and hassle-free taxi booking experience.

As Dubai’s most convenient e-hailing taxi solution, Hala remains committed to integrating innovative technology into its operations, continuously seeking ways to elevate the customer experience and expand its service offerings. Hala currently manages 24,000 captains on its platform with a fleet of 12,000 cars provided by its franchise partners for Dubai residents and visitors.

Automotive

Udrive’s data reveals how freedom of choice is shaping UAE Millennials’ mobility habits

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Udrive, the UAE’s leading car-sharing platform, has released new proprietary data showing how app-based car access is becoming part of everyday work, school and leisure travel across the UAE. Customers aged 30 to 40 account for 45% of users, while mornings and weekends are the busiest periods across the platform. Residential communities and business districts generate the highest demand, showing how app-based car access is becoming part of everyday travel across the UAE.

This core age profile points to a generation seeking greater freedom to choose when, how and what they drive as they balance professional and family commitments. Activity rises during the morning as customers head to offices and schools, then builds again around afternoon pick-up times as families manage school collections and after-school activities. At weekends, shopping, leisure and social visits bring more customers onto the road.

This reflects the way many people live across the region, where changing jobs, growing families and new priorities can lead residents to move homes more frequently. From housing and entertainment to transport, greater choice and access are becoming increasingly important, allowing services to adapt as people’s lives change.

In Dubai, Karama, Al Nahda, Dubai Marina and Al Rigga rank among the most popular areas for vehicle pick-ups and drop-offs, with demand concentrated around residential neighbourhoods and nearby parking areas. Office-led travel also accounts for a major share of daily ridership, with Barsha Heights, Business Bay and the area around Emirates Headquarters among the strongest locations. These journeys include daily commutes, meetings and trips that involve several stops or fall outside fixed public transport schedules.

The Ford Territory, BYD QIN and MINI Cooper rank among the most preferred vehicles on the platform, with SUVs continuing to attract strong demand. Vehicle needs can change quickly, with a customer choosing a compact car today before moving to an SUV as their family grows, or upgrading to try something different. Long-term rental allows the vehicle to adapt to the customer’s life rather than tying them to the same car for several years.

“Life in the UAE moves quickly, and people’s circumstances and tastes can change considerably within a few years. We are seeing the same mindset with cars, as people want the convenience of having a vehicle alongside the flexibility to choose one that suits their needs today. Our data helps us understand how those needs are evolving so we can position vehicles effectively and build a fleet around the way residents move. At Udrive, our vision is to make mobility seamless, accessible and data-driven, ensuring our service continues to evolve with the needs of residents across the country, ” said Hasib Khan, Founder and CEO of Udrive.

Through the Udrive app, customers can locate, book and unlock a vehicle in minutes, with flexible rental options by the minute, hour, day, week or month. The service is designed around convenience and transparency, with zero deposit, no paperwork, office visits or delivery fees, and inclusive benefits such as free fuel and parking.

Udrive operates a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman and has completed more than three million rentals. In 2025, customers travelled more than 45 million kilometres and completed over half a million trips, while registrations increased by 14% compared with 2024. Residents account for 90% of the customer base, demonstrating strong everyday demand for flexible car access.

As cities grow and travel patterns become more varied, Udrive will continue expanding its coverage and fleet choice across the country. The latest data shows car sharing becoming a regular part of commuting, family routines and leisure travel, giving residents access to a vehicle when needed.

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5 mobility tips to navigate the UAE this summer

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Summer changes the pace of life across the UAE as school holidays bring more family outings and airports become busier. Many plans also shift into the cooler evening hours, changing when and how people travel around the city. Dubai International is now one of the world’s busiest airports, handling 95.2 million passengers in 2025 alone, making early planning increasingly important during the summer travel season.

With these changing routines in mind, Yango Ride, the ride-hailing service part of global tech company Yango Group, shares five practical ways to make getting around easier.

Plan the airport journey before departure day

Getting to the airport can feel like the start of the holiday rush. Planning the night before can make the whole experience feel more relaxed. Double-check your departure terminal, set your packed bags aside early, and allow extra time for traffic or longer-than-usual security queues.

Scheduling a ride in advance can also help take the pressure off. Live tracking allows passengers to see when the driver is approaching and step outside at the right moment instead of waiting curbside in the heat. Selecting a clear pick-up point is especially helpful in buildings with multiple entrances, while families or passengers carrying extra luggage can choose a car with enough space for a comfortable journey.

Keep family days flexible and comfortable

Family days are much easier when everyone can stay cool and comfortable. Malls and indoor theme parks give children plenty of room to stay active away from the summer heat, while summer camps add regular drop-offs and pick-ups to an already busy week.

Coordination before setting off can save time later. Agree on an easy-to-find entrance or meeting point, especially at popular venues where several families may be arriving at once. Yango Ride’s Kids category can be used to travel in a car equipped with a child safety seat and is better suited to a family outing.

Turn a weekend into a local staycation

A weekend at a waterfront resort near Jebel Ali or a quieter hotel around Dubai’s historic districts can provide a refreshing change of setting without the planning or travel time of a longer trip. Booking a ride also makes it easier to bring the family and the bags without searching for hotel parking or leaving a car unused all weekend. Before the stay ends, arrange the return journey ahead of check-out so there is no last-minute rush. With the travel taken care of, there may even be time to enjoy lunch nearby or visit one more attraction before heading home.

Make the most of Dubai after dark

Dubai takes on a different rhythm after sunset, when cooler temperatures make it more comfortable to spend time outdoors. Ride-hailing can keep the night flexible when plans begin in one neighborhood and end somewhere else. Plan a walk around Al Seef before dinner in Downtown Dubai or meet friends near Dubai Marina without using the best part of the evening to search for parking.

Before setting off, a clear pick-up point away from crowded entrances will help the driver locate the passenger easily. If travelling home late, share the trip details with a trusted contact and enjoy the journey without having to think about the drive back.

Stay cool from door to destination

Even a short summer outing can feel tiring when it involves walking through the heat, sitting in traffic and searching for parking. Ride-hailing makes it easier to move from a cool indoor space to an air-conditioned destination with as little time outside as possible. Passengers can settle in and focus on the plans ahead instead of the road.

Behind the scenes, Yango’s routing technology uses local road conditions and predicted congestion to calculate efficient routes. In 2025, it saved users more than five million hours across over 20 cities, including 34,000 hours in Dubai and Abu Dhabi combined. With the journey taken care of, the whole outing can feel calmer, cooler and easier from beginning to end.

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ZEEKR SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ TITLE WITH THE ZEEKR 7X AT YAS MARINA CIRCUIT, CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF INNOVATION

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The Zeekr 7X has earned a Guinness World Records™ title for the tightest gap passed through whilst drifting an electric car, successfully passing through a gap with an astonishing clearance of just 25 centimetres.

The record was officially achieved at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, showcasing the exceptional precision, stability, and dynamic control of the Zeekr 7X. The achievement demonstrates the advanced capabilities of Zeekr’s intelligent electric vehicle platform and reinforces the brand’s commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.

The Zeekr 7X’s record-setting performance is underpinned by a combination of advanced chassis engineering and intelligent vehicle control systems. Its front double wishbone suspension delivers exceptional steering precision and responsiveness, faithfully translating driver inputs into accurate vehicle movement. The high-output rear electric motor provides instant, precisely controllable torque, enabling smooth, sustained drifts while allowing fine adjustments to the vehicle’s direction through throttle modulation. Complementing these systems, the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) provides exceptional body rigidity and a low centre of gravity, enhancing stability, balance, and driver confidence under extreme driving conditions.

The record attempt formed the centrepiece of Zeekr’s global celebrations marking its fifth anniversary. Since its launch in 2021, Zeekr has rapidly established itself as a premium intelligent electric mobility brand, continually pushing the boundaries of design, technology, safety, and performance. This latest Guinness World Records™ achievement reflects the brand’s relentless pursuit of innovation and serves as a powerful demonstration of the engineering excellence behind the Zeekr 7X.

“Achieving a Guinness World Records title is a proud milestone for Zeekr and a fitting way to celebrate our fifth anniversary,” said Mr. Mars Chen, Vice President of Zeekr. “The Zeekr 7X embodies our commitment to intelligent engineering, precision, and performance. This achievement demonstrates the strength of our technology and reinforces our ambition to continue redefining premium electric mobility through innovation.”

“This Guinness World Records™ achievement reflects the innovation, precision, and performance that define Zeekr,” said Roberto Colucci, Director of Electric Vehicles at AWR Automotive. “We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and to bring the intelligent technology and advanced engineering of the Zeekr 7X to customers across the UAE.”

The celebration continued on 13 June 2026, when more than 200 Zeekr owners, customers, partners, and members of the UAE media gathered at Yas Marina Circuit to commemorate both the world record achievement and Zeekr’s five-year journey. The event brought together the Zeekr community to experience the brand’s latest innovations and celebrate this landmark moment.

As Zeekr enters its next chapter, the company remains committed to accelerating the future of intelligent electric mobility through cutting-edge technology, exceptional craftsmanship, and customer-centric innovation.

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