Automotive
XPENG Reveals the Future of AI Mobility at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show
XPENG, a leading AI-driven mobility company, recently hosted an exclusive delegation of regional strategic partners on a comprehensive visit to China, culminating in the highly anticipated global reveal of its new flagship SUV, the XPENG GX, at the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026). The visit comes as the UAE solidifies its position as the largest electric vehicle market in the GCC, making XPENG’s presence in the region more strategically significant than ever.
This immersive programme offered an unprecedented look into XPENG’s “Physical AI” ecosystem. It comes at a time for the region where consumer interest in EVs in the UAE surged by 24% in early April alone, while Chinese brands now account for 67% of all EVs sold in the country. Across the broader GCC, EV penetration has doubled in just twelve months, making XPENG’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, tech-enabled mobility solutions to the Middle East more relevant than ever.
The programme commenced at XPENG’s global headquarters in Guangzhou, providing the delegation with a deep dive into the brand’s scale, innovation, and future-forward vision. The visit included XPENG’s flagship showrooms, which feature fully digital customer journeys and seamless, tech-enabled touchpoints designed to elevate the modern retail experience. This commitment to innovation extends deep into the company’s operations, with the strong integration of artificial intelligence across daily functions enhancing both back-end efficiency and front-end customer engagement.
A key highlight of the Guangzhou visit was the exploration of XPENG’s highly advanced smart manufacturing facility. The facility demonstrated significant levels of automation, showcasing optimised human involvement working in tandem with cutting-edge robotics and production systems to achieve remarkable operational efficiency and production scale.
The programme also provided an exclusive look into XPENG’s broader technological ambitions beyond traditional automotive manufacturing. The delegation was granted insight into the company’s advanced robotics programme, featuring the latest humanoid robot, “IRON,” which reflects rapid progress in AI and intelligent systems.
Furthermore, a preview of XPENG’s “Land Aircraft Carrier” flying car initiative showcased the next generation of mobility, with a strong focus on safety, engineering, and revolutionary innovation. This aligns directly with the region’s own ambitions – Dubai has unveiled its first commercial vertiport and is targeting 25% autonomous transportation by 2030, while the UAE’s aviation regulator is on track to certify air taxis by Q3 2026. The appetite for this technology is already evident, with XPENG AEROHT (now rebranded as ARIDGE) having secured 600 pre-orders for its Land Aircraft Carrier from the Middle East – the largest overseas bulk order in the flying car sector to date.
The programme concluded in Beijing for the Beijing Motor Show, where XPENG Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng led the global reveal of the new GX, capturing strong attention on a global stage. The GX stands out as a technological landmark, featuring a refined interior and XPENG’s latest Vision-Language-Action (VLA) 2.0 system. The delegation also received first-hand demonstrations of XPENG’s autonomous driving capabilities, with the system showcasing advanced navigation, rapid traffic response, and self-parking, delivering a seamless point-to-point experience fully integrated into real-world environments.
“Experiencing XPENG’s ‘Physical AI’ ecosystem firsthand in Guangzhou and Beijing clearly demonstrates why we are positioned at the forefront of global mobility,” said Tarek Bedran, Brand Manager UAE, XPENG. “From the highly automated manufacturing floors and the development of the IRON robot to the global reveal of the GX at the Beijing Auto Show, the level of innovation is remarkable. With EV adoption accelerating rapidly across the GCC, and cities like Dubai pioneering autonomous and aerial transport, we are excited to bring this seamless, tech-enabled experience to our communities in the UAE. We are offering our customers not just a vehicle, but a fully integrated, intelligent mobility solution.”
Broader exploration of the Beijing Motor Show, which featured multiple global OEMs and new product launches, provided clear competitive context. XPENG’s GX stood out strongly in design, technology, and overall value proposition.
The comprehensive China programme reinforced confidence in XPENG’s global positioning and highlighted exactly why leading strategic partners continue to place strong trust in the company’s long-term vision and innovation roadmap.
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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