Automotive
Breaking Down the Metrics: What the Numbers Tell Us About Chinese EV Growth
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.
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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