Metadome.ai, a global leader in immersive and intelligent product experiences powered by AI and XR technologies, has entered a strategic partnership with global EV manufacturer VinFast to transform the way consumers discover, explore, and purchase electric vehicles in today’s digital-first world.

As we live in an era where everything is digitally connected, this partnership enable VinFast reimagine the car-buying experience, starting from implementation on the Middle East website.

By leveraging this cutting-edge immersive and AI-driven technology, VinFast’s latest EVs are brought to life in hyper-realistic, interactive 3D environments. Consumers can now explore and customize models like the VF 8  anytime, anywhere—from mobile phones and websites to interactive in-store digital touchpoints—making the journey to EV ownership more seamless, engaging, and intuitive than ever.

“We have always believed in using technology to make experiences more real-life and human. Using our AI, XR, and real-time 3D technologies, we are aiming to bring products like VinFast’s EV model to life, which feels real, intuitive, and immersive. When a customer explores a car using our technology, it’s not just about the visuals; we want them to feel a connection so they can see it, feel it, customize it, and interact with it like it’s right in front of them. What distinguishes us is that whether people are using their phone, laptop, or in a showroom, this experience can easily fit into people’s lives. Together with VinFast, we aim to reimagine the car-buying experience, making it smarter and more seamless,” said Shorya Mahajan – Co-Founder & COO – Metadome.ai

Ms. Do Hoai Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East, shared: “Purchasing a car is no longer just an in-showroom experience—it begins the moment curiosity strikes. With Metadome.ai, we’re making that very first moment smarter, more interactive, and more accessible. It’s not about complicating the process with technology; it’s about simplifying the journey and empowering customers to explore on their own terms.” The power of this visualization can be experienced with the VinFast VF 8.

Key Features of the Digital Customer Experience:

• 3D Configurator: Allows customers to view and customize life-sized digital models of VinFast EVs in a 360-degree space, including real-time adjustment of color and features, and trim in real time.
• Compare Module: Helps users compare two vehicle models side by side across design, performance, features, and pricing.
• Presentation Module: Enables dealerships and brand representatives to offer rich, immersive product walkthroughs in both digital and physical settings.
• Unmatched Realism: Digital Models built with cutting-edge rendering technology to ensure lifelike visuals, showcasing vehicle proportions, surface textures, lighting, and material finishes, so customers can experience how the car will truly look and feel.

Metadome.ai is revolutionizing how consumers buy cars by addressing things that usually annoy buyers, such as confusing websites, generic experiences, and not enough visual detail. Rather than browsing, users get to interact with the car in an immersive and interactive manner. People spend on average more than four minutes browsing, configuring, and learning because the platform makes it fun and worthwhile. With realistic CGI imagery and intelligent design, it’s not merely attractive; it works. Engagement increases by 50–80%, lead efficiency by as much as 10%, and individuals are twice as likely to take a car seriously as against conventional digital experiences.

The company continues to empower Fortune 500 brands such as Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Stellantis, Tata, Mahindra, Lexus, HUL, and Royal Enfield—solidifying our position at the forefront of immersive product experiences.

Customer choice and preferences drive the transformational investments that General Motors is making to deliver safer, smarter, and cleaner vehicles.

GM Middle East hosted representatives from the region at the heart of its global operations in Detroit, Michigan. This offered them an inside look at the laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities where groundbreaking technologies that shape the future of mobility are being developed and tested. They also got to meet the people whose passion, ingenuity, and talent drives this transformation

Featuring a comprehensive range of GM’s EV portfolio from Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC, participants had the opportunity to experience hands-free, eyes-on Super Cruise* technology, enabled by OnStar, and gain insights into the company’s proprietary battery and software strategies, showcasing how GM is a pillar of this industries transformation.

Rory Harvey, GM executive vice president and president of Global Markets, said that GM is leveraging software, hardware, AI, and sensors to produce safer, smarter, and cleaner vehicles – as the company builds on a century of automotive expertise.

“At GM, it all starts with our customers. We offer customers choice – right across our beautifully designed portfolio of new gas-powered vehicles and America’s broadest lineup of electric vehicles,” said Harvey.

“We’re developing advanced driver assistance and autonomous vehicle technology to eliminate human driving error, save lives, and improve mobility for everyone.”

Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director, GM Africa and Middle East, said: “This year is a milestone moment for GM in the Middle East. Our ambition strategy is in full execution with a host of market activities with new and refreshed vehicles offering customer choice of gas powered and electric vehicles. Our OnStar Conectivity offerings across our markets are transforming with new customer experiences and convenience features, which will culminate with the arrival of the industry’s first hands-free advanced driver assistance technology Super Cruise – a foundational technology that will transform our customers’ experience on the road and how we develop the future of autonomous mobility in a personal vehicle.

All this was on full display over in Detroit, allowing our guests to experience tomorrow today and share the knowledge and experience with millions in the region.”

Chevrolet – with much-loved nameplates – Equinox and Spark – all going electric, has disrupted the market claiming the spot for the most attainable electric vehicle line-up in the Middle East market, with more offering on the horizon. And, on the performance hypercar side, the thrilling all-wheel Corvette E-ray is the first-ever electrified Corvette.  

GMC – with the first-of-its-kind and one of the most advanced vehicles it has ever built, the HUMMER EV SUV and Super Truck – offers customers a powerful drive experience that pushes the boundaries of what full-size EVs can do.

Cadillac – With the Cadillac OPTIQ already launched across the Middle East, and the upcoming LYRIQ, OPTIQ-V, LYRIQ-V, VISTIQ, ESCALADE IQ, and ESCALADE IQL to follow – is leading GM’s electric vehicle expansion globally.

OnStar – Powering the connected experience behind each of these vehicles is OnStar, the in-vehicle technology that enables a smoother, smarter and confident drive.

LEADING EV & AV TECHNOLOGY

To continue to offer more affordable EVs globally, GM has continued to advance its electrification and driver-assistance technologies:

• High-manganese (LMR) prismatic battery cells with 33% more energy density than the best lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells—at similar cost. These new cells are slated for U.S. production starting in 2028, with a focus on powering electric pickups and large SUVs.
• Super Cruise, enabled by OnStar, is coming soon to the Middle East and will be available across 9 models from Chevrolet,  GMC and Cadillac – offers hands-free driving, automatic lane changes, and trailering support.
• Path to Autonomy is being led by GM’s Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) with the Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP), which supports over-the-air updates, smart home integration, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. VIP enables seamless compatibility with services like OnStar**. OnStar services include Google Built-in, myChevrolet, myGMC and myCadillac apps, supports external developers in delivering next-generation in-car experiences.
• Artificial Intelligence is playing an increasingly central role in GM’s operations. GM announced an expanded partnership with NVIDIA to integrate AI, simulation, and high-performance computing into vehicle development and manufacturing. This includes creating digital twins of production lines to optimize operations through virtual simulations, as well as predictive systems that detect equipment failures in advance—boosting efficiency and safety. Many of these innovations are driven by the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, one of the world’s most advanced hubs for engineering and research.

Exclusive Interview with Paige Lingwood, Insights Consultant, CARMA – Author of the “CARMA: Driving Change” report.

As Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers rapidly expand their global footprint, their media strategies are fundamentally reshaping how automotive innovation is communicated to consumers worldwide. In this exclusive interview, Paige Lingwood, Insights Consultant at CARMA and author of the “Driving Change” report, reveals how brands like BYD are capturing an unprecedented 41% of positive media coverage, while established automakers scramble to adapt their communication strategies.

How do Chinese EV brands’ media strategies differ from how traditional automakers typically approach innovation marketing?

Established brands have the ability to tether to their rich heritage, which can allude to brand loyalty and trust, while Chinese brands are currently needing to build this rapport.

Your report suggests that BYD alone generated 41% of all positive coverage. Could such media concentration around a single brand lead to distorted market expectations for other Chinese players trying to enter the EV space?

I wouldn’t necessarily say it distorts market expectations, but it does demonstrate just how much BYD is dominating coverage on behalf of Chinese brands. It also shows a level of white space that other CN OEMs have to play in with their Communications strategies, giving them the ability to understand what media are talking about in similar manners for BYD to emulate this for themselves.

How did Chinese automakers’ media resilience compare to established players during industry disruptions like chip shortages?

The Semi-Conductor shortages became a significant issue in the industry after the main wave of the COVID pandemic, therefore, this is slightly premature to the main insurgence of Chinese OEMs truly disrupting the industry. However, the incredible upcoming of Chinese automotive brands adds to the turbulence that the industry has faced over the past five or so years, having experienced COVID-19, into semi-conductor shortages, into Chinese brands shaking up the industry exponentially. It will be interesting to see what comes next!

What drives the UAE’s 75% innovative positioning of Chinese brands, while many other established markets remain skeptical of Chinese EVs?

UAE also supplied a large share of innovative positioning of established brands, demonstrating that media within the market are not necessarily aligning with one or the other, especially given its long-term affiliation and loyalty with some Asian legacy manufacturers. From our sampled coverage, a similar volume of media outlets highlighted both BYD and Tesla as being technologically innovative.

What do you believe Chinese automakers still underestimate in terms of building long-term brand loyalty beyond price and tech?

Long term loyalty comes with just that – longevity in the industry, something that is difficult to win over, just look at how dominant the likes of Nissan are in the UAE. We conducted a study at the end of 2024 that focused on car owners in the UAE where multiple nationals stated that they would continue purchasing the Patrol simply because it’s the Patrol – this is a very difficult mindset for other OEMs to overcome.

How are legacy OEMs interpreting this surge in media confidence for Chinese EV brands? Do you see a reactive shift in their PR and communication strategies, especially in this region?

On global scale, we have observed a substantial global shift in recent years, indicating a desire to innovate beyond conventional frameworks. For example, OEMs are shifting out of being labelled a volume brand to premium, then premium to luxury etc.

In a similar vein, more OEMs are wanting to shift to the title of “technology brand”, showcasing their innovative technological advancements. It will be interesting to see how legacy brands continue to future proof and look ahead from a technological point of view, especially when it has been proven that Chinese brands have the agility and speed to launch faster than their established counterparts.