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Driving the Future with Customer Choice: GM Brings Global Innovation to the Middle East

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Driving the Future with Customer Choice: GM Brings Global Innovation to the Middle East

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.

A front-three-quarter shot of a red Chevy Corvette parked outdoors

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.”

A front-three-quarter shot of a blue-gray Cadillac Optiq parked outdoors

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.

Driving the Future with Customer Choice: GM Brings Global Innovation to the Middle East

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.

Automotive

ZEEKR SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ TITLE WITH THE ZEEKR 7X AT YAS MARINA CIRCUIT, CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF INNOVATION

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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.

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Automotive

UDRIVE CUSTOMERS CROSS 45 MILLION KILOMETRES AS UAE DEMAND FOR CAR SHARING ACCELERATES 

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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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Automotive

Udrive customers cross 45 million kilometres as UAE demand for car sharing accelerates 

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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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