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Chevrolet and GMC Truck Mania launches, celebrating record sales performance and shifting customer demand

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A front-angle shot of GMC truck driven on the road.

General Motors is spotlighting the evolving face of truck ownership in the Middle East as it celebrates a growing market share among its Chevrolet and GMC pickup lineup with a sales rise of 18% yoy, unveiling an emerging demographic amongst youth and women as it marks the launch of Chevrolet and GMC Truck Mania.

With hot offers on the popular Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, GMC Canyon, and all-electric GMC HUMMER SUT*, Truck Mania will be live across showrooms in the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar from 13 August to 13 September, with immersive product experiences. During Truck Mania, customers can expect tailored test drives for road and all-terrain, personalized consultations, and seasonal value offers designed to get them behind the wheel in time for the region’s most active months outdoors.

GM’s truck portfolio continues to resonate deeply among GCC nationals—particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Among younger Emiratis aged 20–29, the GMC Sierra has emerged as a top choice for first-time buyers, reflecting a generational shift in preferences. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Silverado sees robust repeat purchases from Saudi owners aged 30–50, underscoring its enduring appeal and reliability.

Furrukh Jawaid, Chief Marketing Officer at General Motors Africa and Middle East, said: “Off-roading in the Gulf is a rite of passage as youth begin to adopt the lifestyles of their parents, the desert becomes more than terrain and an adrenaline rush. It becomes a tradition. This is evident in the trends we are seeing of youth reaching 20 to 35% of our customer base in the last few years. Therefore, Truck Mania is bringing GM’s most capable trucks to the forefront with compelling offers and experiences that reflect the evolving expectations of today’s customers.”

A side-angle shot of a GMC truck parked in the desert.

Arab youth and women growing pickup loyalty

While male ownership remains dominant, female ownership is steadily rising signaling a broader cultural embrace of the segment. Over the past three years, female interest and ownership in full-size pickups has more than doubled, driven by increasing demand for safety features, elevated driving positions, flexible utility, and bold design.

In 2024 alone, women accounted for 9% of all GM truck buyers in the GCC, a notable increase from previous years. Kuwait leads the region with 13% of all female truck owners in GM’s portfolio, followed by the UAE at 9%, and Qatar at 7%. A third of GMC Sierra owners in the UAE are middle-aged Emirati women (ages 30–49), and there has been a 50% year-over-year increase in ownership among Emirati women aged 20–29. For Chevrolet Silverado, 19% of repeat female customers are over 30, with the majority in the middle-aged Kuwaiti segment.

Rohan Fernandes, Managing Director of Commercial Operations at General Motors Africa and Middle East, added,The growing demand for our world-class pickups from Chevrolet and GMC are visible as we witnessed a surging market share in the first half of 2025 of over 46% as we continue to empower more customers across the Gulf to take up off-roading, road-tripping adventures, reconnecting with the outdoors or making use of its capabilities for day-to-day needs. Pickups have grown beyond their traditional role as workhorses to become expressions of style, performance and heritage. Even off-roading has shifted from a practical skill to a deeply-rooted pastime.”

A side-angle shot of a Chevy Silverado parked in the desert.
Chevrolet Silverado “Chafar” Edition

The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado**

Built for strength, adventure and personalization, the Silverado offers a wide range of trims to suit different drivers and terrains — from the everyday capability of the LT to the sporty RST, the off-road-ready Trail Boss, and the performance-driven ZR2. Each trim is designed to meet a specific need while delivering signature Silverado power and confidence.

The 2025 GMC Sierra

GMC is also celebrating its own high-performance milestones during Truck Mania. The GMC Sierra — a truck built to deliver professional-grade capability without compromising comfort — continues to resonate with customers who want premium features, advanced tech, and trail-tested strength. Models like the Sierra Denali and AT4 lead this charge, combining power with refinement, and proving that capability and craftsmanship can go hand in hand.

The 2025 GMC Canyon AT4X

Truck Mania also showcases the Canyon, GMC’s midsize truck designed for control, agility and adventure. Built for drivers who demand capability without compromise, the Canyon is ideal for tackling both urban and off-road environments.

a front-three-quarter shot of the Hummer EV SUT driven off-road

The 2025 GMC HUMMER EV SUT**

For those seeking the cutting edge of electric performance, the HUMMER EV pickup offers up to 1,000 horsepower, zero tailpipe emissions, and segment-defining features like CrabWalk and Watts to Freedom — now available in connected markets across the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Whether you’re towing gear into the mountains, heading off-road into the desert, or simply upgrading your daily drive, Truck Mania offers a once-a-year opportunity to experience the power and possibilities of GM trucks across both Chevrolet and GMC.

Automotive

Metadome.ai launches AI Virtual Sales Assistant with Jameel Motors Egypt

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A rear-angle shot of an AI assistant visualized by AI

Metadome.ai, in collaboration with Jameel Motors Egypt, one of the country’s most prominent automotive distributors, has launched an AI-assisted virtual sales assistant designed to support the entire customer journey — both pre-sales and post-sales.

Jameel Motors, a key player in Egypt’s automotive market, brings decades of expertise in the mobility sector and a reputation for representing some of the world’s most recognized commercial and passenger vehicle brands. Its expansive sales and after-sales network position the company as a trusted name in delivering customer-centric innovation.

As a collaboration between two leading technology innovators, Jameel Motors Egypt is stepping into the future of customer engagement by bringing the power of AI to the showroom floor and beyond. Developed by Metadome.ai, the newly launched virtual assistant provides customers with round-the-clock, real-time support across all digital touchpoints. Whether learning about car models, comparing features, booking test drives, or tracking vehicle delivery, the assistant acts as a knowledgeable and responsive digital partner throughout the pre-sales experience.

More than just a sales tool, the assistant also supports post-sales services. Customers can authenticate themselves, book maintenance appointments, access previous service records, receive live maintenance updates, activate warranties, locate service centers, and request spare parts and accessories. It also delivers automated maintenance reminders and other services that’s helping streamline after-sales support while keeping customers fully informed and connected.

“At Metadome.ai, we’re driven by one simple idea—technology should feel intuitive, human, and helpful. That’s exactly what we aimed for with this product. By combining Jameel Motors deep automotive expertise with our conversational AI capabilities and tech backbone, we’ve created an experience that feels less like a bot—and more like a knowledgeable, always-available assistant,” said Shorya Mahajan, Co-founder and COO of Metadome.ai

The assistant is already live at select Jameel Motors digital touchpoints, with early feedback indicating stronger online engagement, faster response cycles, and increased customer satisfaction.

Tarek Abdullatif, Regional Director Jameel Motors Egypt, stated: “We’ve seen firsthand how digital tools can transform industries. This assistant is more than a chatbot it’s a smart, responsive designed to meet the needs of today’s connected customer.”

He added, “In the coming months, the virtual assistant solution will roll out across Jameel Motors entire network, in Egypt as part of the company’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric service.

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INEOS AUTOMOTIVE ACCELERATES IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH 1,000TH VEHICLE DELIVERED AND MAJOR REGIONAL EXPANSION

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A front three-quarter shot of an INEOS Grenadier parked outdoors.

INEOS Automotive has hit a major milestone in the Middle East, delivering its 1,000th Grenadier 4X4 – just over two years after launching in the region. The rugged British-designed off-roader has quickly gained traction with adventurers, professionals, and off-road enthusiasts alike.

REGIONAL INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION

Executive Headshot of Dan Balmer - Head of Region - INEOS Automotive
Dan Balmer, Head of Region, INEOS Automotive

Building on its fast-growing global footprint, INEOS Automotive is making a bold move and expanding operations across the Middle East and Africa. Leading this next chapter is the newly appointed Head of Region, Dan Balmer – a highly accomplished executive with a CV that spans top roles at BMW, Aston Martin, Lotus, and Rolls-Royce.

Balmer will be based in INEOS Automotive’s brand-new regional headquarters in the Arenco Tower in Dubai’s Media City, where a growing team – including relocated staff from the UK – will drive sales, marketing, aftersales, and the dealer network.

With a strong existing footprint across six countries and seven dealer sites, the company is now gearing up to expand further across the GCC and break into new Middle Eastern and African markets. “The 1,000th Grenadier delivery signifies that drivers across the region are embracing what we’ve built,” said Lynn Calder, CEO of INEOS Automotive. “We’re backing that enthusiasm with serious investment: a new regional HQ, a growing team, and an exciting leader in Dan Balmer, who’s ready to take things to the next level.”

INDUSTRY HEAVYWEIGHT AT THE HELM

Newly appointed regional chief, Dan Balmer, brings deep global expertise and local insight to the role. Having previously led teams in major markets for some of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands, he’s now focused on growing INEOS Automotive’s presence and partnerships throughout the region.

“Hitting this milestone delivery is just the beginning,” said Balmer. “The Middle East and Africa offer huge potential, and I’m thrilled to lead our efforts here – from expanding into new markets to delivering exceptional customer experiences.”

Balmer started his automotive career as an apprentice design technician, and progressed through the ranks at BMW and Rolls-Royce. His first regional leadership appointment was as General Manager Asia Pacific for Rolls-Royce from 2012. Joining Aston Martin in 2014, Balmer led several regional offices, latterly as President of UK, Middle East & Africa. And at Lotus from 2021, he saw success as President and CEO of Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and most recently held the position of President and CEO of Lotus Cars Europe.

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From the Garage to the Global Stage: MEA Service Advisors and Technicians Head to Bangkok for Skills Showdown

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a side-angle shot of automotive professionals attending a training session

For most people, car servicing is about speed, efficiency, and trust. But for a select group of the Middle East and Africa’s most skilled automotive professionals, it’s also about something else – the chance to put their expertise to the test on the world stage.

This month, eleven technicians and service advisors from seven MEA countries will travel to Bangkok, Thailand, to compete in the first-ever Changan Global Service Skills Competition. The five-day event, running from August 25–29, will pit them against elite peers from around the world in disciplines including service reception processes, engine maintenance, and vehicle fault diagnosis.

A Career Milestone

For these finalists, representing KSA, Oman, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Morocco, the competition is more than just a technical test. It’s a career highlight, an opportunity to benchmark themselves against the best globally, and a chance to bring fresh knowledge home to their dealerships and customers.

a side-angle shot of an automotive professional inside a car with a product manual

Their journeys began at the 2024 Changan MEA Regional Skills Competition in Dammam, KSA, where the region’s top service professionals underwent rigorous challenges and intensive training. Those who excelled earned the right to carry their country’s flag to Bangkok.

“Our finalists are not only representing their dealerships and countries, but also the skill, dedication, and customer-first values of the Middle East and Africa region,” said Mr. Xiao, General Manager of Changan Automobile’s MEA Business Unit. “Competing at this level puts MEA talent in the global spotlight and helps raise service standards across the industry.”

The People Behind the Progress

Among the Service Advisors is Eslam Mohammed Nasem of Almajdouie Motors, KSA, who says the competition is “a chance to prove that our region’s skills are world-class.” For Anandu Dileep Kumar, a technician from Alqurain Auto Motive Trading Company in Kuwait, it’s about “learning from the best, then sharing that knowledge with colleagues and customers back home.”

These stories are mirrored across the team, individuals driven by pride in their craft and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

a side-angle shot of an automotive professional inside a car with a product manual

Why It Matters

Aftersales service is becoming a key differentiator in the automotive industry, particularly in MEA, where customer expectations are rising alongside vehicle technology. The skills honed in Bangkok – from diagnostic precision to customer engagement – will directly influence the ownership experience across the region.

By investing in competitions like this, Changan aims to create a ripple effect: highly trained professionals inspiring peers, raising standards, and reinforcing trust in the brand.

Looking Ahead

The Bangkok event will also feature technical salons and a factory tour, giving participants access to global best practices and cutting-edge developments. When they return, the MEA team will bring more than memories, they’ll bring insights that will shape the future of aftersales service in the region.

This is the first time MEA has sent a full delegation to the global finals. For the eleven men and women boarding their flights later this month, it’s the culmination of years of dedication. For the region’s customers, it’s a sign that world-class service is closer than ever.

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