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Autodata Bi-Annual Report Highlights Key Insights Shaping The Used Car Market

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Engine type preferences and EV considerations

AutoData Middle East, a leading automotive data solutions provider and subsidiary of World Automotive Group (WAG), has published its bi-annual report on the GCC used car market. It highlights the rising demand for EVs, residual values, key trends in consumer behaviours, transforming customer purchasing journeys and the growing influence of Chinese brands in the region.

Offering a comprehensive overview of the current competitive landscape, AutoData Middle East supports buyers and sellers to navigate the complexities of the used car sector with confidence and transparency. Five key factors were prominent throughout the report:

Burgeoning Demand for EVs

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UAE and KSA is on the rise, bolstered by government initiatives and the expansion of EV infrastructure. As of 2024, the UAE ranks eighth globally in EV market readiness, supported by an estimated 325 charging stations.

With a growing focus on sustainability, 79% of UAE consumers and 72% of KSA consumers are considering EVs for their next vehicle purchase. The UAE market share of EVs is expected to increase significantly, projected to be more than 15% by 2030. Dubai reached 25,929 EVs, while Abu Dhabi witnessed an EV fleet growth of up to 2,441 models by Q4 2023.

In the Middle East, countries such as the UAE and KSA have set ambitious targets to facilitate the adoption of EVs. The UAE government aims to expand its EV charging infrastructure to 10,000 stations by 2030, to reach 50% electric and hybrid vehicles by 2050. This sustainable target is also reflected in Dubai, as the Emirate aims to transition its taxi fleet to 100% eco-friendly vehicles including hybrid, EV and hydrogen-powered models by 2027. Furthermore, as part to of the Saudi Vision 2030, KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) aims to roll out 5,000 fast charging stations by 2030.

This shift towards sustainable transportation has resulted in a rise in EV sales on marketplaces such as DubiCars, which saw a 45% increase from 2022 to 2023, with a further 13% expected growth in 2024.

Autodata Bi-Annual Report Highlights Key Insights

Residual Value Performances

AutoData’s latest research on residual values reveals that used electric and hybrid vehicles are outperforming petrol and diesel vehicles in the UAE. The report revealed a 250% increase in EVs and hybrid models over the past five years, driven by a burgeoning interest and investment in EVs, with many automotive brands introducing a range of models to meet this demand. 

SUVs continue to show substantial value retention compared to sedans. Premium and luxury vehicles, despite their price points, have resulted in a decline in residual value after a few years due to higher maintenance costs. 

GCC-Compliance

The report highlights a notable increase in the demand for GCC-spec vehicles, with 86% of Vehicle Report users identifying as buyers, primarily interested in models from 2015 and 2020. Toyota and Nissan continue to dominate the market, with capturing 24.8% and 17.1% of the market share in Q1 2024, respectively. Additionally, drivers are increasingly opting for vehicle leasing services with 83% showing willingness to consider leasing contracts. This is due to the flexibility leasing options offer drivers, including complimentary services such as free insurance, servicing and maintenance, lease duration and mileage flexibility, and more. 

Purchasing Vehicles in the Digital Landscape

Consumers in the UAE and KSA are increasingly opting to begin their car-buying journey digitally, highlighting a clear preference for online research before making in-store visits. This integrated approach underscores the need for automotive market players to provide a seamless transition between online and offline channels.

According to Consultancy Middle East’s customer survey, 83% of respondents prefer to begin their purchasing journey via dealer websites, while 85% still favour in-store negotiations. This trend highlights the importance of a seamless integration between marketplace platforms and physical showrooms, offering convenient customer experiences.

Autodata Bi-Annual Report Highlights Key Insights

Platforms such as Dubizzle and DubiCars dominate the digital landscape with a combined 73% market share due to expansive inventories and integrated user-friendly interfaces, while other market players such as YallaMotor holds 13% and OpenSooq occupies 11% market share. The remaining 3% is shared across Cars24 and smaller players with detailed listings and services such as inspections, financing, and more.

The Rise of Chinese Brands

Chinese automotive brands are quickly gaining a strong foothold in the UAE’s automotive sector. AutoData highlights the demand for Chinese cars has increased by 150% in June 2024 compared to 2023 across marketplaces such as DubiCars. Consumers are increasingly favouring these brands over traditional American, Japanese and European options, driven by key factors including affordability and high-tech features. For example, the average price for a new Chinese hatchback is 34.5% lower than an American model.

With diverse product offerings, improved quality and implementation of innovative technology, Chinese automotive brands are cementing their foothold in the region. According to DubiCars, Chinese brands have increased their market share from 0.58% in 2022 to 2.68% in 2023. In the UAE, leading brands include Jetour, Changan, BYD (Build Your Dreams), JAC, and Chery.

“At AutoData Middle East, we are at the forefront of the dynamic and rapidly evolving used car market in the region. Our commitment to transparency and confidence is reflected in the innovative tools we provide, such as the Vehicle Report, which offers detailed insights into a vehicle’s past, including accident history, previous ownership, and market valuations. We are excited to launch our new B2B tool – DealRevs – that empowers used car businesses, dealers, and stakeholders with real-time data, enabling them to make more informed decisions and accurately assess price points when buying and selling vehicles. Our services are invaluable for both consumers and businesses looking to navigate the complexities of the growing used car market,” concludes Sebastian Fuchs, Managing Director of AutoData Middle East.

Automotive

5 mobility tips to navigate the UAE this summer

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Summer changes the pace of life across the UAE as school holidays bring more family outings and airports become busier. Many plans also shift into the cooler evening hours, changing when and how people travel around the city. Dubai International is now one of the world’s busiest airports, handling 95.2 million passengers in 2025 alone, making early planning increasingly important during the summer travel season.

With these changing routines in mind, Yango Ride, the ride-hailing service part of global tech company Yango Group, shares five practical ways to make getting around easier.

Plan the airport journey before departure day

Getting to the airport can feel like the start of the holiday rush. Planning the night before can make the whole experience feel more relaxed. Double-check your departure terminal, set your packed bags aside early, and allow extra time for traffic or longer-than-usual security queues.

Scheduling a ride in advance can also help take the pressure off. Live tracking allows passengers to see when the driver is approaching and step outside at the right moment instead of waiting curbside in the heat. Selecting a clear pick-up point is especially helpful in buildings with multiple entrances, while families or passengers carrying extra luggage can choose a car with enough space for a comfortable journey.

Keep family days flexible and comfortable

Family days are much easier when everyone can stay cool and comfortable. Malls and indoor theme parks give children plenty of room to stay active away from the summer heat, while summer camps add regular drop-offs and pick-ups to an already busy week.

Coordination before setting off can save time later. Agree on an easy-to-find entrance or meeting point, especially at popular venues where several families may be arriving at once. Yango Ride’s Kids category can be used to travel in a car equipped with a child safety seat and is better suited to a family outing.

Turn a weekend into a local staycation

A weekend at a waterfront resort near Jebel Ali or a quieter hotel around Dubai’s historic districts can provide a refreshing change of setting without the planning or travel time of a longer trip. Booking a ride also makes it easier to bring the family and the bags without searching for hotel parking or leaving a car unused all weekend. Before the stay ends, arrange the return journey ahead of check-out so there is no last-minute rush. With the travel taken care of, there may even be time to enjoy lunch nearby or visit one more attraction before heading home.

Make the most of Dubai after dark

Dubai takes on a different rhythm after sunset, when cooler temperatures make it more comfortable to spend time outdoors. Ride-hailing can keep the night flexible when plans begin in one neighborhood and end somewhere else. Plan a walk around Al Seef before dinner in Downtown Dubai or meet friends near Dubai Marina without using the best part of the evening to search for parking.

Before setting off, a clear pick-up point away from crowded entrances will help the driver locate the passenger easily. If travelling home late, share the trip details with a trusted contact and enjoy the journey without having to think about the drive back.

Stay cool from door to destination

Even a short summer outing can feel tiring when it involves walking through the heat, sitting in traffic and searching for parking. Ride-hailing makes it easier to move from a cool indoor space to an air-conditioned destination with as little time outside as possible. Passengers can settle in and focus on the plans ahead instead of the road.

Behind the scenes, Yango’s routing technology uses local road conditions and predicted congestion to calculate efficient routes. In 2025, it saved users more than five million hours across over 20 cities, including 34,000 hours in Dubai and Abu Dhabi combined. With the journey taken care of, the whole outing can feel calmer, cooler and easier from beginning to end.

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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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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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