Connect with us

Automotive

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

Published

on

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.

Automotive

EV LAB invests in Pure Electric, kicks off partnership with new lineup of e-scooters

Published

on

EV LAB invests in Pure Electric, kicks off partnership with new lineup of e-scooters

EV LAB, the region’s first omni-channel multi-brand EV store, has invested in Pure Electric, a global specialist in electric micromobility founded by British entrepreneur Adam Norris, and will serve as the brand’s exclusive partner across the Middle East. The partnership kicked off with the launch of Pure Electric’s three new e-scooters in the UAE – Air⁴, Pure x McLaren, and Pure Flex. The collaboration marks a pivotal move towards advancing sustainable transport solutions and supporting the UAE’s goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050.

Under this new venture, EV LAB will feature Pure Electric products across its five stores in the region. This will include the new lineup, primarily designed for urban commuters, lifestyle riders, tech-forward consumers, and micromobility enthusiasts, offering a potent blend of performance, innovation, and purposeful design tailored for the region’s fast-paced city environment. The latest models include the Air⁴, a remastered fourth-generation classic e-ride with a smoother, more powerful ride featuring a 710W motor and 30km range; the Pure x Mclaren finished in McLaren’s iconic orange livery, built with active steering stabilisation, a 900W motor, and a 50km range; and the Pure flex, the world’s most compact scooter featuring a unique forward-facing stance, ultra-compact design, and a 45km range, built for maximum control and stability.

Kevin Chalhoub, CEO and founder of EV LAB, stated, “Collaborating with Pure Electric to launch these unique, state-of-the-art e-scooters in the UAE is an incredible opportunity to drive innovation and sustainability by reducing carbon emissions that will help prevent wider climate problems across the Middle East. Over the past few years, consumers in the region have grown more environmentally conscious and are looking for smarter and greener approaches to travel. These new models will help us advance our mission of creating a dynamic ecosystem in which brands, consumers, and experts can connect through accessible, sustainable, and meaningful electric mobility experiences.”

Micromobility is becoming increasingly popular in the United Arab Emirates due to factors such as the rise in eco-conscious consumers, urbanisation, and traffic congestion within cities.  With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2 per cent, the UAE micromobility market is projected to reach USD 2,014.8 million by 2030.  Aligning with this growth, EV LAB, as the first multi-brand electric mobility platform in the region, is building a thriving network of EV businesses, experts, and enthusiasts, while offering advanced electric mobility solutions for land, air, and sea, including boats and surfboards, cars, scooters, and air taxis. Through the latest partnership, the company continues to push forward the transition to electric mobility within the UAE and across the Middle East through knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships.

Adam Norris, CEO and Founder of Pure Electric, said: “Pure Electric was formed with the goal of revolutionising personal transport and preparing cities for future generations. Our latest collaboration with EV LAB is a step towards this vision and reinforces our commitment to advancing smarter, greener travel solutions. At Pure Electric, we believe people must begin making thoughtful mobility decisions, not only for practical reasons but also for the wellbeing of our cities and the environment.”

“This new partnership is also of great importance to me, as it comes at the same time my son, Lando, has secured his first Formula 1 World Championship title in Abu Dhabi. I am incredibly proud of these milestones, both as a father and business owner, and look forward to what lies ahead,” Norris added.

Pure Electric, since its founding in 2018, has quickly grown into eight nations owing to its clear vision, precision engineering, and a relentless commitment to delivering quality riding experiences. The company’s global momentum, paired with EV LAB’s regional leadership, opens the door to a new era of micromobility in the country.

Continue Reading

Automotive

SONAX ACCELERATES DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH ACROSS GCC AND MIDDLE EAST WITH UAE DISTRIBUTOR RAMY AUTOMOTIVE

Published

on

A light blue car displayed under a white canopy at the modern, brightly lit SONAX exhibition booth inside a trade show.

SONAX GmbH, the global leader in car care solutions, has recorded consistent double-digit growth across the GCC and wider Middle East region, averaging between 10% and 20% over the past five years. This sustained expansion underscores the company’s strong foothold in the region and its position as the number-one premium car care brand, reinforced by a 35-year partnership with its UAE distributor, RAMY Automotive.

Building on this success, SONAX will showcase its next-generation innovations at Automechanika Dubai 2025, where it will unveil two new additions to its Ceramic Coating line, CC Glass and CC Rim. These latest formulations highlight SONAX’s continuous investment in innovation, performance, and product excellence.

“Our continued double-digit growth underscores the strong trust and loyalty that SONAX has built among car enthusiasts and professionals across the UAE,” said Edwin Berberi, Senior Business Development Manager SONAX, GmbH. “At RAMY Automotive, we take pride in representing SONAX in the UAE and strengthening its legacy of excellence in car care. We are committed to further expanding our footprint while upholding the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction across the region.”

Founded in 1950 in Neuburg, Germany, SONAX has built its reputation on premium quality, continuous research, and technical advancement. Its comprehensive portfolio spans car, motorcycle, bicycle, and industrial care, from manual detailing to automated washing, offering both private and professional users products that meet the highest global standards.

The GCC is one of the fastest-growing markets for high-end vehicle maintenance, driven by discerning customers who own luxury cars and demand superior quality care. As such, SONAX has continued to attract both individual car enthusiasts and commercial clients seeking long-lasting protection and professional-grade efficiency.

“Automechanika Dubai provides the perfect platform to strengthen our connections with customers and partners while introducing our latest innovations tailored for regional needs,” added Berberi. “Our mission remains clear: to deliver premium, sustainable, and high-performance solutions that make every vehicle shine.”

SONAX’s advanced Ceramic Coating products have set industry benchmarks since the launch of Nano Paint Protect in 2006. Today, the brand leads with a complete portfolio that includes CC Vinyl+PPF and CC Plastic+Rubber, and now expands further with the 2026 innovations CC Glass and CC Rim.

As part of its environmental commitment, SONAX integrates sustainability across its operations and product development. The company is ISO 14001 certified for its environmental management system and participates in the Responsible Care initiative, ensuring continuous improvement in environmental, health, and safety standards. Most of its products are made with 99.75% natural ingredients, reflecting its dedication to creating environmentally conscious products without compromising performance.

With a strong partner network across the GCC and Middle East, SONAX is uniquely positioned to serve regional and international customers. Its cooperation with RAMY Automotive in the UAE has been a cornerstone of its regional strategy, ensuring that customers across all markets receive the same quality, service, and reliability synonymous with the SONAX brand.

Continue Reading

Automotive

Emarat Showcases Emojet’s Aviation Fuel Leadership at Dubai Airshow 2025

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator