Automotive
HOW FAR CAN AI DRIVE THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR?
Co-authored by: Giuseppe Pedretti (Regional Managing Director EMEA, PLI) & Ravi Tallamraju (Chief Technology Officer, PLI)
The conversations around AI in the automotive industry are often associated with self-driving cars. Yet, it’s the behind-the-scenes applications of AI, from design and diagnostics to driver experience and operational strategy, that are proving to be far more transformative.
Predictive maintenance has emerged as one of AI’s most powerful contributions to the sector. By continuously analysing telematic and operational data, AI enables early detection of mechanical stressors and anticipates component failures before they escalate. This foresight empowers fleet managers and workshops to schedule interventions with precision, minimising service interruptions, extending vehicle longevity, and curbing unnecessary expenditure.
AI-driven maintenance strategies are reshaping operational resilience, providing benefits such as real-time issues diagnosis, automated service reminders, and refined route efficiency, In fact, over half of fleet managers cite predictive analytics as a key lever for reducing overheads and enhancing performance, with nearly a third identifying AI and machine learning as the most influential technologies in fleet management over the next five years. From voice-enabled assistants that coach drivers to connected cameras that detect fatigue, the scope of predictive tools is expanding and ushering in a new era of intelligent, preventative care across the mobility landscape.
These innovations are especially critical for a sector that has faced considerable turbulence. In 2024, the automotive industry grappled with factory closures, supply chain fragmentation, and declining production across Europe and the West. Consumer demand softened under affordability pressures, while rising component costs and inflation compressed margins across the value chain, from workshops to fleet operators. Meanwhile, intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers continues to push Western businesses to innovate and streamline.
Some argue AI has contributed to these pressures, but is also key to overcoming them. Its ability to convert data into strategic insights and automate complex workflows is helping businesses regain competitiveness, uncover new revenue streams, and reimagine their operating models.
Shifting Gears with AI
By 2032, the global automotive AI market is projected to reach $405 billion, with roughly 75% of automotive enterprises experimenting with at least one GenAI application. While major players are deploying AI across product design, supply chain optimisation, and customer engagement, fast accelerating smaller businesses stand to gain the most.
For these companies, the focus is on enhancing practical tools that drive measurable efficiency. Vehicle telematics, for example, enables workshops to diagnose issues in real time, store service histories, and anticipate future maintenance needs. This reduces reactive repairs and improves outcomes for customers and stakeholders alike.
Another area gaining traction is inventory intelligence. AI-powered forecasting tools analyse historical and repair data to predict parts demand with increasing accuracy. This not only prevents overstocking but ensures critical components are available when needed.
Fleet managers are equally enthusiastic as AI helps maintain uptime, optimise routes, and improve safety. Generative AI is powering in-vehicle voice assistants that guide drivers, flag risky behaviour, and even offer coaching. Connected cameras now detect signs of fatigue or distraction, reducing risk exposure and potential legal liabilities.
In-car connected services are also surging, with adoption expected to grow from 60% in 2024 to over 90% of new vehicles featuring voice assistants by 2028.
Why AI Belongs in Automotive Operations
The numbers speak volumes: the global market for automotive AI is forecasted to grow from $44 billion in 2025 to $74.5 billion by 2030. But beyond the figures, the rationale is clear.
Efficiency is a key driver of change. AI automates routine diagnostics, speeds up service checks, and simplifies documentation – allowing skilled personnel to focus on higher-value tasks. At the same time, these intelligent systems continue to learn and improve over time.
Safety is equally critical. Traditionally, the industry has taken a reactive approach, fixing problems only after they occur. AI transforms this model by enabling proactive vehicle management by detecting potential risks early, preventing failures, and ensuring compliance with increasingly strict safety regulations.
Cost control remains a key priority. In a margin-sensitive industry, even minor delays or downtime can erode profitability. AI helps minimise idle time, identify inefficient driving behaviours, and deliver more precise diagnostics. With fuel costs accounting for up to 40% of fleet expenses, AI plays a crucial role in pinpointing and eliminating waste, leading to more reliable operations and healthier bottom lines.
Still, adoption isn’t universal. Complex tools, fragmented data, and constrained budgets pose real challenges, especially for smaller players who rely more on experience than analytics. That’s precisely where AI excels: transforming existing knowledge into actionable intelligence.
How PETRONAS Lubricants International Uses AI
As a lubricant specialist, PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) leverages AI to accelerate R&D. Our models simulate lubricant performance under varied operating conditions, trained on extensive datasets of compositions. This allows us to predict outcomes before physical testing, sometimes revealing unexpected applications beyond automotive.
Smart tech and IoT devices also enable us to forecast lubricant degradation and advise customers on optimal service timing. Our Oil Condition Monitoring (OCM) system analyses samples for contaminants and wear metals, identifying potential issues before they become costly failures. Expert technicians deliver tailored reports that guide oil drain intervals and ensure consistent performance across fleets and machinery. This proactive approach enhances efficiency and extends equipment lifespan through intelligent, data-backed insights.
Internally, AI supports our production health: minimising waste, optimising throughput, and helping us meet sustainability goals by avoiding unnecessary downtime.
What More Can AI Do?
The potential of AI in automotive services is just beginning to unfold. The innovations we have achieved in lubricants alone demonstrate what is possible. As data becomes more accessible and algorithms more refined, even small operations will compete on insight, not just infrastructure. And as those innovations ripple across the sector, the competitive landscape will shift. That shift is coming. Best to be ready and in a position to lead.
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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