Automotive
Hala Launches Subscription for Taxi Rides to and from Dubai Metro Stations
Hala, Dubai’s most convenient e-hailing taxi solution, announced the launch of Hala Rides for Metro, providing seamless and affordable transportation to and from Dubai Metro stations across the city. The new subscription is now available on the Careem app and Hala commuters can start enjoying the benefits immediately.
Priced at AED 4.99 per month, subscribers can avail 20% off 10 Hala trips (discount of up to AED 5 per trip) starting from or ending at any Dubai Metro station. The service is available to all users, including tourists and non Careem-plus members. Once the subscription is purchased, users can select a Dubai Metro station as their pick-up or drop-off location and apply the promo code to avail of the discount.
Khaled Nuseibeh, Chief Executive Officer at Hala said, “Our data indicates that Dubai Metro usage presents a significant opportunity for enhancing first-mile and last-mile connectivity. With many residents and visitors relying on the Dubai Metro for their daily travel needs, we believe this offering will help us increase these essential trips and deliver greater value to our customers. Whether you’re heading to work, school, or exploring Dubai, Hala is committed to making your journey smoother.”
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently announced that Dubai Metro and taxis accounted for the largest share of public transport riders, with 37% for the metro and 27% for taxis during H1 2024. The Red and Green Lines of Dubai Metro transported 133 million passengers during this period. Hala experienced over 20% growth in customers using its services for pickups and drop-offs to metro stations in H1 of 2024 alone.
With a significant number of residents relying on the Dubai Metro for their daily commute, Hala Rides for Metro aims to offer a convenient and affordable solution for everyday travel. This new service is part of Hala’s ongoing commitment to enhancing urban mobility, offering accessible and cost-effective solutions for daily commuters. The subscription is tailored to those who rely on the Dubai Metro for their daily travel and require an easy, reliable way to get to and from stations.
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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