Automotive
Dongfeng Outlines Its Strategy for Growth in the UAE Automotive Market
Exclusive Interview with Saj Jabbar, General Manager, M.A.H.Y. Khoory Automotive Dubai, UAE
What are some specific consumer trends in the UAE that you believe will shape the future of Dongfeng’s presence in the region?

The UAE automotive market is highly dynamic, with several key trends shaping its future. A major trend is the growing demand for affordable, feature-packed vehicles that offer a balance of quality and performance. Consumers expect vehicles to integrate advanced technologies such as driver-assistance systems, smart connectivity, and infotainment, all while maintaining competitive pricing. Additionally, sustainability is taking centre stage as the UAE government ramps up initiatives such as the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, heightening consumer interest in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). This shift provides Dongfeng and other brands in the MKA portfolio opportunities to lead the way in the transition toward greener mobility. Another significant trend is the preference for SUVs and crossovers, which dominate the market due to their practicality and versatility. We see this as a critical area for growth in the coming years.

How involved is Dongfeng in localising its offerings for the UAE market, and what role does M.A.H.Y. Khoory play in this process?
Localisation is essential for success in the UAE automotive market, and Dongfeng has demonstrated a strong commitment to this process. As the sole distributor of Dongfeng vehicles in the UAE, MKA plays a pivotal role in tailoring Dongfeng’s offerings to meet the unique needs of UAE consumers. This involves ensuring that Dongfeng vehicles are optimised for the region’s harsh climate. We also collaborate closely with Dongfeng to provide market-specific configurations and features tailored for local buyers. Our partnership extends beyond product localisation; we recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art service centre in Dubai, with plans to expand our service network across the emirates. This ensures comprehensive aftersales support, which is a cornerstone of our approach to building long-term customer trust and loyalty.
Given the UAE’s competitive automotive market, what strategies are you employing to build consumer trust in a relatively new brand?
Establishing consumer trust is critical for us at MKA, especially as we expand our presence in a competitive market. Our strategy is built around three key pillars: product excellence, aftersales support, and strategic partnerships. We ensure that Dongfeng vehicles meet the highest international standards, offering advanced technology and competitive pricing. We have strengthened aftersales service, starting with the inauguration of our new Dubai service centre. We’re committed to providing seamless maintenance, transparent pricing, extended warranties, and access to genuine spare parts. Our partnership with One by One Car Rental to deliver 1,000 Dongfeng vehicles underscores our ability to meet the needs of both individual buyers and corporate customers. These collaborations enhance Dongfeng’s reputation in the UAE. Finally, we leverage targeted marketing campaigns and digital platforms to raise awareness about Dongfeng’s legacy as one of China’s leading automotive brands.

How do you see the UAE automotive market evolving over the next five years, particularly with the growing prominence of Chinese automakers?
The UAE automotive market is entering a transformative phase, driven by three key factors. First, the increasing prominence of Chinese automakers is reshaping the competitive landscape. Brands like Dongfeng are setting new benchmarks by offering high-quality vehicles at competitive prices. Second, the shift toward sustainability and EV adoption will accelerate, driven by government initiatives. Chinese automakers, with their advanced EV technologies, are well-positioned to lead this transition. At MKA, we see this as a significant growth opportunity and are actively preparing to introduce a broader range of EVs into our portfolio. Lastly, digitalisation will redefine how consumers interact with automotive brands. The UAE market will demand more innovative and tech-driven solutions.
How does Dongfeng Motor plan to position itself in the growing electric vehicle (EV) market in the UAE and the Middle East?
Dongfeng is at the forefront of EV innovation, and its entry into the UAE’s growing EV market is a significant milestone. As one of China’s leaders in EV development, Dongfeng is bringing advanced electric and hybrid models to the region. Our strategy revolves around product excellence, infrastructure support, and partnerships. We are introducing EVs that combine exceptional range, innovative design, and affordability. On the infrastructure front, MKA is actively engaging with stakeholders to support the development of a robust charging network.
Automotive
Emarat Showcases Emojet’s Aviation Fuel Leadership at Dubai Airshow 2025
Emirates Petroleum Company PJSC (Emarat), a pioneer in the UAE’s oil and gas industry, will highlight the strength of its aviation fuel business at Dubai Airshow 2025 through its aviation subsidiary, Emojet, one of the leading into-plane fuel service providers at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central). Emojet will host airline, airport and industry partners at Chalet A52 from 17–21 November 2025, between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM at Al Maktoum International Airport.
A key pillar of Emarat’s portfolio, aviation fuel is delivered through Emojet, which has proudly served the UAE’s world-leading aviation industry since 1992. Today, Emojet supplies aviation fuel to many of the world’s leading international airlines at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, delivering award-winning into-plane services built on safety, reliability and service excellence.
Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer of Emarat, said, “Dubai Airshow is a natural platform for Emarat and Emojet. For more than three decades, we have been privileged to fuel the growth of the UAE’s aviation sector and support Dubai’s rise as a global hub for passengers and cargo. Through Emojet, we combine best-in-class infrastructure, rigorous safety and operational discipline with a partnership mindset that puts our customers’ network and growth ambitions at the centre. At Dubai Airshow 2025, we look forward to reinforcing our commitment to the aviation ecosystem and exploring new collaborations that will help shape the future of air connectivity in our region.”
At Dubai Airshow 2025, Emojet will focus on deepening existing relationships and building new partnerships with airlines, cargo operators, airports, and logistics players from across the region and beyond. This follows Emojet’s July 2024 agreement with Emirates SkyCargo to supply aviation fuel for the airline’s cargo operations at Al Maktoum International Airport – a model of the strategic collaborations the brand aims to replicate and expand during the show.
Salem Bin Suloom, Vice President – Aviation Sales at Emarat, said, “Emojet’s promise is simple – safe, reliable and efficient fueling, every time. Our customers operate in highly demanding environments, and they rely on us to deliver on-time performance, technical excellence and responsive service across every flight and every turnaround. At Dubai Airshow 2025, our focus is on listening to our partners, understanding their evolving operational needs and identifying new ways we can support them – whether through long-term supply agreements, expanded into-plane services, or new collaborations with airports and operators across the wider region. We warmly invite existing and prospective partners to visit us to discuss how Emojet can fuel their future plans.”
Emojet stands apart through its modern fleet of refuelling equipment, advanced control systems and highly trained operational teams. The company utilises the latest electronic data capture and interface systems to drive efficiency, accuracy and transparency, ensuring that its operations and equipment exceed mandated IATA standards.
Automotive
How Machine Learning Makes Super Cruise Smarter Every Day
When technology works effortlessly, it’s easy to forget the incredible engineering behind it. That was the goal with GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology. Super Cruise is designed to execute precise lane centering, perform smooth lane changes, interact with a driver’s requests and handle steering maneuvers. These advanced capabilities are managed by a single, modular software stack called the Unified Lateral Controller, or ULC. Looking inside, GM engineers built a self-learning system made up of machine learning algorithms to update the vehicle’s dynamics and controls. The algorithm makes quick decisions to ensure efficiency.
Imagine you’re driving with Super Cruise engaged, and you initiate a left lane change with the turn signal. Super Cruise then starts to shift the vehicle into the left lane. But let’s say you then decide to stay in the current lane, so you signal to the right. Super Cruise will respond by bringing you back to the center of the original lane – a seemingly effortless transition, but one that requires complex and rapid calculations.
Super Cruise needs to maneuver as naturally as possible for drivers to remain comfortable and confident as they drive hands free. Diving deeper, the ULC must consider many data inputs: The curvature of the road from the LiDAR map data, lane geometry from the cameras, trajectory of the vehicle based on current speeds, vehicle load, current weather conditions, and the behavior of surrounding vehicles–all in a matter of seconds.
One of the unique features of Super Cruise is its ability to maintain precise hands-free lane centering while towing a trailer – a capability unmatched in the industry. One of Super Cruise’s standout features is its ability to maintain precise, hands-free lane centering even while towing a trailer—a capability unmatched in the industry and currently available on select GM vehicles. With a trailer attached, ULC automatically accounts in real time for the additional mass and its effects on vehicle dynamics, optimizing steering commands to control both the vehicle and the trailer.
The self-learning system analyzes real-time sensor data, enabling Super Cruise to make more accurate decisions and perform proactive adjustments, improving driver comfort and confidence over time. That allows Super Cruise to adapt for each vehicle and each driver in different environmental conditions.
Let’s go back to our trailering example: Tight lateral control is important for keeping both the vehicle and the trailer centered in the lane. The model learns how the presence of the trailer changes the vehicle’s steering response and works with the ULC to optimize its responses and keep the vehicle and trailer centered in the lane. This model also scales Super Cruise enabled by OnStar , and is now available across 13 vehicle models on select trims, and counting . No matter the shape, size, or weight of the vehicle, the ULC and our self-learning algorithms can adapt, reducing complexity. We’re bringing Super Cruise to consumers on more models, offering consistent, predictable, safe hands-free driving.
Automotive
Goodyear and Peugeot Drive the Future of Intelligent Mobility with the Polygon Concept Car
Goodyear and Peugeot have partnered to shape the future of intelligent mobility with the unveiling of the Peugeot Polygon concept car. This next-generation vehicle features Goodyear SightLine—an advanced suite of intelligent tire technologies—integrated directly into the cockpit for the first time alongside three bespoke Goodyear tires tailored to the car’s versatile configurations.
The Peugeot Polygon is designed to adapt to a range of driving styles through three distinct configurations, Urban, Player and Explorer, and Goodyear’s tires and solutions are uniquely designed to support the vehicle’s purpose.
The collaboration marks a milestone moment and a bold move toward seamless connectivity between vehicle and tire, delivering enhanced safety, performance, and driver confidence.
Goodyear SightLine Technology: Intelligence at Every Turn
Goodyear SightLine is a proprietary suite of smart tire technologies that provides real-time insights for safety and performance improvements in vehicles, from tire properties estimation, tire health information to road conditions. These insights can be displayed directly on the driver’s heads-up display, ensuring clarity and control throughout every journey, or it can be integrated into other advanced systems of a vehicle, allowing it to mitigate situations that are driver dependent today.
Across all Polygon configurations, SightLine features are accessible from the cockpit, offering:
• Tire Maintenance: Integrated tire wear monitoring enables vehicles to automatically adjust performance settings as tires age—helps ensuring optimal handling and safety throughout their lifecycle.
• Safe Driving: SightLine predicts and detects aquaplaning risks, allowing vehicle control systems to respond instantly and maintain stability, even in challenging conditions.
Goodyear delivers insightful journeys to Polygon drivers thanks to its integration with Peugeot Drive-by-Wire technology.
Ben Glesener, senior technology director, Product Development, Consumer EMEA, commented:
“SightLine represents more than technology—it’s a vision for connected mobility. By partnering with Peugeot, we are envisioning an ecosystem where tires become active contributors to vehicle intelligence, shaping a smarter future.”
Already available in several global markets, Goodyear SightLine is not just a concept—it’s a proven smart tire service ready for real-world applications.
Goodyear Tires: Built for Today’s Roads and Tomorrow’s Possibilities
As part of this visionary collaboration, Goodyear engineered three unique tires—each custom-designed to match the aesthetic and performance needs of the Polygon’s configurations:
- The Urban and Player tires feature the legendary Eagle F1 tread pattern, celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2025—a symbol of high-performance heritage.
- The Explorer tire pays tribute to the iconic Goodyear Wrangler, incorporating its rugged tread design to deliver traction to unleash unforgettable off-road experiences.
Beyond performance, the sidewall designs were crafted to visually express a new era of automotive innovation using coloring and laser technologies —where tire aesthetics and functionality converge to push the boundaries of design.
This collaboration showcases Goodyear’s long-standing expertise in combining craftmanship with premium manufacturing technologies to deliver the highest levels of customization from product performance to aesthetics.
Together, Goodyear and Peugeot are setting new trends and driving a new era—where every journey is smarter and more expressive.
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