Automotive
Geely’s Recipe for Growth in the UAE: Innovation, Affordability, and After-Sales Excellence
- Exclusive Interview with Dr. Andreas Schaaf, CEO – Geely Group Brands at AGMC
What advantages do Chinese brands like Geely offer compared to prominent Japanese or European competitors?
Geely stands out by providing a unique offering of luxury, performance, and advanced technology in its vehicles, all at competitive prices. If you look at the vehicles in our line-up, like the Monjaro and the Okavango, it’s evident that our brand places a priority on providing premium features usually seen in more expensive European and Japanese models.
Geely cars come equipped with cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and outstanding performance. For example, the Monjaro, a highly advanced SUV by Geely, is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbo engine, 235 horsepower, and a sophisticated BorgWarner 4WD system, providing it with power and agility. This model directly competes with much pricier high-end brands in terms of performance and features, yet it remains affordable.
Likewise, the Okavango, our well-liked seven-seater SUV, provides ample interior room, comfort, and advanced technology features tailored for families’ requirements without compromising on quality. These models have been very well received in the UAE.
What really stands out is the after-sales support we offer at Geely UAE – which includes a comprehensive service package – and the strength of its warranties, which are vital in giving customers long-term confidence in their vehicle choice and ensuring peace of mind.

How have perceptions of Chinese car quality evolved among UAE consumers recently?
In recent years, Geely has caused a significant change in the way Chinese car brands are viewed by consumers in the UAE, mostly because of our attention to quality, technology, and dependability. Geely quickly built a solid reputation by offering vehicles that go beyond just being affordable – our vehicles also excel in performance, design, and safety.
Models such as the Geely Coolray and Emgrand sedan are consistently rated as top performers in their respective segments. The Coolray’s dynamic design and powerful yet efficient engine have made it a top choice in the B-segment SUV category, while the Emgrand has gained popularity in the sedan market for its sleek design and advanced safety features. Geely’s position as a brand that surpasses customer expectations has been strengthened by such success stories.
This change in perspective is also mirrored in Geely’s sales numbers. In just the first six months of 2024, we managed to sell 3,392 vehicles in the UAE, proving the increasing popularity of Chinese cars which provide excellent quality, top-notch features, and attractive prices.

What role does pricing play in the popularity of Chinese cars in the UAE?
The pricing of Geely vehicles is a crucial factor in the brand’s increasing popularity and success in the UAE, and it is not solely due to being budget friendly. Our cars offer great value, with features and technology that compete with pricier European and Japanese cars. The mixture of offering great value alongside premium features makes them an attractive choice for a wide variety of customers, who are seeking vehicles that maintain quality, safety, and performance without breaking the bank.
For instance, consider the Geely Okavango. It’s an SUV that provides ample space inside, cutting-edge technology, and excellent performance at an appealing price in a fierce SUV market. Similarly, the Starray, which was launched this year, provides a mix of opulence, modern technology, and stylish aesthetics at a reasonable cost, catering to those seeking top-tier experiences without the accompanying hefty price. This makes it a compelling alternative to more established brands.
How has Geely’s acquisition of Volvo influenced its reputation in the UAE market?
In 2010, Volvo was acquired by Geely, China’s largest privately owned automotive company, resulting in what is seen as one of the most successful mergers in the sector. It combines the strengths of a historic European brand with Chinese innovation and resources.
The merger demonstrated Geely’s ambitions and commitment to manufacturing vehicles of the highest quality, and shows the strategic foresight of the Geely Group and their strong understanding of the importance of leading innovation.
But Geely’s influence goes beyond Volvo. Known for its ownership of brands such as Lotus and Lynk & Co, as well as its substantial investment in Mercedes-Benz, it has developed a culture of excellence that is visible everywhere, and Geely is benefitting from this reputation.
Having a variety of brands across multiple segments has allowed Geely Auto to establish itself as a reputable carmaker that can provide both budget-friendly and luxury vehicles, attracting a diverse customer base in the UAE.

What challenges do Chinese brands face in further expanding their presence in the UAE?
The main obstacle facing Geely and all other brands is the growing competition in the UAE’s car market. The increasing number of car companies entering the market has led to more intense competition, creating a crowded landscape and a challenge for manufacturers like Geely. Nevertheless, we are fully equipped to confront these challenges directly.
We are embracing the challenge by concentrating on our impressive range of vehicles and providing outstanding aftersales support. By partnering with AGMC, Geely gains an advantage from a strong sales and service network in the UAE and a strong reputation for service excellence, guaranteeing customers receive high-quality support and parts availability. This is a crucial element in ensuring customers are satisfied in the long run.
Although the rivalry is strong, it also works in favour of customers by providing a wider selection and improved value. Geely UAE’s competitive advantage lies in our capability to provide high-quality features and top-notch service at affordable prices, helping us differentiate ourselves in a highly competitive market.
How do after-sales service and parts availability compare between Chinese brands and others?
Geely’s excellent aftersales services are a result of our collaboration with AGMC, a highly regarded automotive importer in the UAE established almost half a century ago. Geely’s extensive service network throughout the Emirates provides customers with dependable support that is quick and efficient whenever they require it.
Additionally, we excel in availability of parts, with our specialised parts distribution centre in Dubai, a cutting-edge facility, set up to guarantee prompt and effective delivery of spare parts not just in the UAE but also throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Situated in Dubai’s Jebel Ali, its location is ideal for meeting the needs of our expanding clientele. By ensuring spare parts are easily available and minimising any downtime for vehicle owners, this system positions Geely as a reliable and service-focused brand in line with other global brands.

What future growth projections do you have for Geely in the UAE?
Geely has a very promising future ahead in the UAE. Our plans include opening additional showrooms, growing our market share, and introducing new models to further expand our business. We will bolster our footprint with a massive network development plan scheduled to cover the entire country, as well set up significant investment in top automotive talents to support the brand’s rapid growth in the coming years.
Our commitment to excellence, creativity, and customer approval, along with a proactive plan to expand showrooms, will aim to maintain Geely’s significance in the UAE automotive industry for many years to come.
Automotive
ZEEKR SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ TITLE WITH THE ZEEKR 7X AT YAS MARINA CIRCUIT, CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF INNOVATION

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.
Automotive
UDRIVE CUSTOMERS CROSS 45 MILLION KILOMETRES AS UAE DEMAND FOR CAR SHARING ACCELERATES
Udrive, the UAE’s leading car-sharing platform, has strengthened its mobility network across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, as app-based car access becomes a bigger part of how people move across the country. In 2025 alone, Udrive customers have driven more than 45 million kilometres, reflecting rising demand for smarter urban mobility that aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s focus on flexible means of transportation.
The growth reflects Udrive’s expanding role as a practical alternative to traditional car rental and private car ownership. The platform now operates a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles and has completed more than three million rentals to date. In 2025, Udrive recorded over half a million trips, while registrations grew by 14% compared with 2024, indicating stronger adoption among customers seeking on-demand access to vehicles.
Residents make up 90% of Udrive’s customer base, showing how car sharing has become part of daily commuting, errands, weekend plans and short-term transport needs. Retention has strengthened, with active customers for 12 months or more rising from 21% to 32%. Growth across shorter-term segments has also supported higher trip volumes and revenue, pointing to sustained adoption among both new and returning users.
Fleet choice has also expanded; Udrive now offers vehicles from Kia, Ford, BYD and MINI, with Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan and Mitsubishi also available on the platform. With the company’s ongoing partnership with AGMC, recent additions include MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works models, the launch of MINI Convertibles. Udrive has also added hybrid BYD Song and BYD QIN vehicles to its fleet, offering customers premium, lower-emission mobility options.
“At Udrive, our growth is being shaped by customers who want access without the cost and commitment of ownership. Expanding across four emirates and growing our fleet gives residents and visitors the freedom to choose the right car for every journey. Stronger retention shows that flexible mobility is becoming part of daily life in the UAE, while supporting a more practical alternative to private vehicle dependency,” said Hasib Khan, Founder and CEO of Udrive.
As part of its wider network growth, Udrive has added new Business Zones in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, extending coverage across almost every area within its operating network. This gives customers more flexibility to pick up and end trips across key residential, commercial and lifestyle districts, supporting everyday journeys across the UAE’s major urban centres.
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.
As the UAE’s mobility needs continue to evolve, Udrive will focus on deeper coverage, stronger fleet variety, and partnerships that improve access to flexible transport across the country. The company’s growth strategy is centred on making shared mobility easier to use, more widely available, and more relevant to how residents move across cities every day.
The expanded Udrive network is now live on the app. Customers can open the map, find a nearby car, choose the rental option that fits their journey and start driving in minutes.
Automotive
Udrive customers cross 45 million kilometres as UAE demand for car sharing accelerates
Udrive, the UAE’s leading car-sharing platform, has strengthened its mobility network across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, as app-based car access becomes a bigger part of how people move across the country. In 2025 alone, Udrive customers have driven more than 45 million kilometres, reflecting rising demand for smarter urban mobility that aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s focus on flexible means of transportation.
The growth reflects Udrive’s expanding role as a practical alternative to traditional car rental and private car ownership. The platform now operates a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles and has completed more than three million rentals to date. In 2025, Udrive recorded over half a million trips, while registrations grew by 14% compared with 2024, indicating stronger adoption among customers seeking on-demand access to vehicles.
Residents make up 90% of Udrive’s customer base, showing how car sharing has become part of daily commuting, errands, weekend plans and short-term transport needs. Retention has strengthened, with active customers for 12 months or more rising from 21% to 32%. Growth across shorter-term segments has also supported higher trip volumes and revenue, pointing to sustained adoption among both new and returning users.

Fleet choice has also expanded; Udrive now offers vehicles from Kia, Ford, BYD and MINI, with Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan and Mitsubishi also available on the platform. With the company’s ongoing partnership with AGMC, recent additions include MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works models, the launch of MINI Convertibles. Udrive has also added hybrid BYD Song and BYD QIN vehicles to its fleet, offering customers premium, lower-emission mobility options.
“At Udrive, our growth is being shaped by customers who want access without the cost and commitment of ownership. Expanding across four emirates and growing our fleet gives residents and visitors the freedom to choose the right car for every journey. Stronger retention shows that flexible mobility is becoming part of daily life in the UAE, while supporting a more practical alternative to private vehicle dependency,” said Hasib Khan, Founder and CEO of Udrive.
As part of its wider network growth, Udrive has added new Business Zones in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, extending coverage across almost every area within its operating network. This gives customers more flexibility to pick up and end trips across key residential, commercial and lifestyle districts, supporting everyday journeys across the UAE’s major urban centres.
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.
As the UAE’s mobility needs continue to evolve, Udrive will focus on deeper coverage, stronger fleet variety, and partnerships that improve access to flexible transport across the country. The company’s growth strategy is centred on making shared mobility easier to use, more widely available, and more relevant to how residents move across cities every day.
The expanded Udrive network is now live on the app. Customers can open the map, find a nearby car, choose the rental option that fits their journey and start driving in minutes.
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