Zeekr UAE and AWR Automotive are proud to announce the unveiling of the redesigned Zeekr flagship showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The new space brings together contemporary design, refined hospitality, and personalised customer engagement, reflecting the partners’ confidence in the UAE’s expanding electric mobility market.

The showroom gives customers a clear and practical way to explore electric mobility. Zeekr product specialists will provide personalised guidance around the Zeekr range, charging, intelligent technology, performance, test drives, and after-sales care. Interactive touchscreen TVs allow customers to explore vehicle configurations in detail and place orders directly from the showroom. Customers can also discuss their individual driving requirements and ownership considerations in a relaxed setting, helping them understand how electric mobility can support everyday journeys, family travel, and longer drives across the UAE.

At the centre of the redesigned showroom is the Zeekr Lounge, a refined hospitality space for customer appointments, coffee conversations, and owner gatherings. The lounge brings a more personal dimension to the retail experience, providing a welcoming place for guests to spend time with the brand before or after a consultation or test drive. A partnership with Maison 7, AWR Group’s luxury lifestyle brand, adds curated homeware and elegant décor, creating a warm, lifestyle-led environment that complements Zeekr’s progressive design philosophy and brings the showroom’s material, colour, and craftsmanship story to life.

“The UAE’s electric mobility market is advancing quickly, and customers want the confidence that comes from clear guidance, a trusted local partner, and an ownership experience designed around their needs,” said Roberto Colucci, Director of EVs, AWR Automotive. “Our redesigned flagship showroom brings those elements together, creating a destination where customers can experience Zeekr’s technology, design, and hospitality while exploring how electric mobility can fit their everyday lives.”

The redesigned flagship also includes two AC charging points, giving customers an added practical touchpoint with the Zeekr ownership experience during their showroom visit. Two dedicated vehicle delivery bays provide an elevated handover setting, allowing every delivery to become a more personal and memorable moment for customers and their families. The flagship will also serve as a platform for product introductions, owner engagement, and curated events, bringing customers and electric mobility enthusiasts together around premium electric driving. Customers are invited to visit the showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road to experience the Zeekr range, speak with a product specialist, and book a personalised test drive.

AWR Automotive is Zeekr’s official distributor in the UAE. Supported by decades of automotive expertise and an established national network of showrooms and service centres, it brings the Zeekr ownership experience to customers from first discovery through to long-term support, helping advance premium electric mobility across the region.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, DiDi Autonomous Driving began round-the-clock fully driverless passenger testing in selected demonstration areas in Guangzhou and Beijing, with operations running safely and steadily since then. Building on this operational experience, R2, jointly developed by DiDi Autonomous Driving and GAC Aion, is a purpose-built Robotaxi designed for global deployment. It combines DiDi Autonomous Driving’s Level 4 full-stack software and hardware with a vehicle platform developed specifically for driverless passenger service, designed with safety, operating efficiency and in-cabin experience.

The next-generation Robotaxi R2 is equipped with 33 sensors, including LiDAR, cameras, 4D millimeter-wave radar, infrared cameras and audio sensors, providing comprehensive perception across a range of driving environments. Its triple-domain fusion central computing platform delivers more than 2,000 TOPS of GPU computing power and supports lower-latency decision-making in complex urban conditions. The vehicle platform also meets five-star safety standards in China and Europe (C-NCAP and Euro NCAP) and incorporates a multi-layer redundancy system.

Built around user needs, R2 maximizes rear passenger space and features high-angle adjustable seats. It is equipped with a 17.3-inch ceiling-mounted screen with entertainment features, as well as an AI voice interaction system that allows riders to complete PIN verification and start the trip, adjust the air conditioning, open the windows and control the ambient lighting through voice commands. These elements reflect DiDi Autonomous Driving’s view that a successful Robotaxi service combines advanced autonomous-driving capability with an intuitive and comfortable passenger experience.

The UAE will serve as DiDi Autonomous Driving’s first international market. In April 2026, at the China-UAE Business Promotion Event, the company confirmed that it is working with local partners to advance Robotaxi applications, with local testing and pilot initiatives planned within the year. The planned testing comes as the UAE continues to develop its regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles. In Dubai, the Autonomous Transportation Strategy aims to shift 25% of total transportation to autonomous mode by 2030, with taxis among its priority application sectors. DiDi Autonomous Driving has also joined Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster and established a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to support innovative autonomous-driving applications, AI talent development and ecosystem building.

The launch arrives as autonomous mobility moves from vision to operational reality across the UAE. On 19 August 2026, the Government of Dubai Media Office reported that Robotaxi operations in Dubai had traveled more than four million kilometers of autonomous operation and completed 7,613 driverless passenger trips since launch, achieving a 97% customer satisfaction rate. The emirate’s Robotaxi fleet includes 144 vehicles, with 48 in active operation, and contributes to the 2030 target set out in the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy.

For DiDi Autonomous Driving, the opportunity involves more than introducing a vehicle to a new market. The company aims to localize its technology, operating model and passenger experience with UAE partners, in line with the country’s smart-mobility priorities. The R2 milestone offers a foundation for that next phase by demonstrating how a purpose-built Robotaxi can serve passengers in complex urban environments through integrated vehicle engineering, AI capabilities and disciplined fleet operations. Through its international expansion, the company seeks to contribute proven autonomous-mobility expertise while supporting the development of a safe, intelligent and sustainable transport ecosystem in the UAE and other international markets.

This core age profile points to a generation seeking greater freedom to choose when, how and what they drive as they balance professional and family commitments. Activity rises during the morning as customers head to offices and schools, then builds again around afternoon pick-up times as families manage school collections and after-school activities. At weekends, shopping, leisure and social visits bring more customers onto the road.

This reflects the way many people live across the region, where changing jobs, growing families and new priorities can lead residents to move homes more frequently. From housing and entertainment to transport, greater choice and access are becoming increasingly important, allowing services to adapt as people’s lives change.

In Dubai, Karama, Al Nahda, Dubai Marina and Al Rigga rank among the most popular areas for vehicle pick-ups and drop-offs, with demand concentrated around residential neighbourhoods and nearby parking areas. Office-led travel also accounts for a major share of daily ridership, with Barsha Heights, Business Bay and the area around Emirates Headquarters among the strongest locations. These journeys include daily commutes, meetings and trips that involve several stops or fall outside fixed public transport schedules.

The Ford Territory, BYD QIN and MINI Cooper rank among the most preferred vehicles on the platform, with SUVs continuing to attract strong demand. Vehicle needs can change quickly, with a customer choosing a compact car today before moving to an SUV as their family grows, or upgrading to try something different. Long-term rental allows the vehicle to adapt to the customer’s life rather than tying them to the same car for several years.

“Life in the UAE moves quickly, and people’s circumstances and tastes can change considerably within a few years. We are seeing the same mindset with cars, as people want the convenience of having a vehicle alongside the flexibility to choose one that suits their needs today. Our data helps us understand how those needs are evolving so we can position vehicles effectively and build a fleet around the way residents move. At Udrive, our vision is to make mobility seamless, accessible and data-driven, ensuring our service continues to evolve with the needs of residents across the country, ” said Hasib Khan, Founder and CEO of Udrive.

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.

Udrive operates a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman and has completed more than three million rentals. In 2025, customers travelled more than 45 million kilometres and completed over half a million trips, while registrations increased by 14% compared with 2024. Residents account for 90% of the customer base, demonstrating strong everyday demand for flexible car access.

As cities grow and travel patterns become more varied, Udrive will continue expanding its coverage and fleet choice across the country. The latest data shows car sharing becoming a regular part of commuting, family routines and leisure travel, giving residents access to a vehicle when needed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Conceived as a premium SUV brand, MHERO is engineered to break conventional boundaries. By combining high-end luxury, commanding mechanical craftsmanship and intelligent innovation, the brand offers an entirely new automotive model. The UAE market introduction highlights a versatile, SUV lineup featuring two distinct models, each designed to suit different lifestyles and driving preferences.

“The UAE is a dynamic and highly sophisticated market where customers expect quality, innovation, and excellence. We are confident that, in partnership with Al Ghurair Mobility, MHERO will meet and exceed these expectations. Al Ghurair shares our long-term vision and commitment to delivering a premium customer experience, making them the ideal partner to introduce the MHERO brand in the UAE and build a strong, sustainable presence in the market.” said Wu Jinxiang – General Manager, Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

The MHERO I stands as the ultimate expression of luxury and performance within the off-roading category. Delivering 804 HP, 1,050 Nm of torque, and a combined range of 825 km, it offers exceptional power, capability, and refinement.

Expanding the brand’s portfolio, the all New MHERO II is tailored for the tech-forward adventurer, it combines advanced connectivity with cutting-edge innovations that seamlessly integrate the vehicle into a digital urban lifestyle. The MHERO II delivers 677 HP, 848 Nm of torque, and an impressive combined range of 1,300 km.

John Iossifidis – Group Chief Executive Officer, Al Ghurair said, “The launch of MHERO in the UAE marks an important milestone in Al Ghurair’s journey to shape the future of mobility across the region. Guided by our purpose of ‘In pursuit of better,’ we are proud to partner with Dongfeng to bring advanced mobility solutions to a market that embraces innovation and premium experiences. By combining Dongfeng’s global technical expertise with Al Ghurair’s deep understanding of the region, we are introducing a brand that reflects the ambition, performance and forward-looking spirit of the UAE, making it the ideal home for MHERO’s next chapter.”

MHERO’s arrival is highly relevant to the unique automotive landscape of the UAE. The existing and future model line-up is meticulously engineered to withstand the region’s extreme climate and demanding terrain, making it uniquely built for both the UAE highways and desert conditions. This dual-purpose mastery appeals strongly to a growing demographic of UAE families and city explorers who seek uncompromising capability alongside high-end prestige.

Demonstrating its concrete, long-term commitment to the UAE market, Al Ghurair Mobility has officially opened the first MHERO showroom in Deira, Dubai. This location offers customers a personalised, immersive environment to explore the vehicles’ bespoke options. To further serve customers across the Emirates, a dedicated Abu Dhabi showroom and Service Centre is also scheduled to open soon, in addition to a fully equipped Service Center in Al Quoz, Dubai, strengthening the brand’s physical presence in key metropolitan hubs.

MHERO offers a smooth, high-status driving experience designed for drivers who refuse to compromise between refinement and sheer power, whether traversing the clean, contemporary architecture of central city streets or overcoming the most difficult and unpredictable desert terrains.

The PV5 marks an important milestone in Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy. How do you see purpose-built electric vehicles transforming industries such as logistics, last-mile delivery, smart cities and urban mobility across the GCC?

Generic vehicles were fulfilling the needs of logistics and last-mile delivery for the longest time, though not efficient in various aspects, whether performance, space or safety. Purpose-built vehicles has changed this equation entirely by addressing these longstanding shortcomings with precision.

PV5, for example, comes with flexibility, next-generation technology, and practicality to address niche requirements such as commercial, leisure or lifestyle use with specific configurations – the PV5 Passenger, PV5 Cargo, PV5 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), PV5 Taxi, and PV5 Prime Edition. Each of these vehicles benefit from a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems like telematics, real-time diagnostics, vehicle monitoring and much more, enhancing their suitability for professional fleet applications.

Electrification is becoming a major industry transition globally. How do you view the pace of EV adoption across the UAE and wider GCC region, and what role will Kia’s EV portfolio play in shaping the company’s long-term regional strategy?

The UAE and the wider GCC has already earned the recognition of being among the world’s fastest-growing EV markets, with the UAE ranking first in Middle East EV sales for the second consecutive year. What is equally significant is the qualitative shift accompanying this growth: range anxiety and battery lifecycle concerns, once the most persistently cited barriers to EV adoption, are receding rapidly, thanks to the UAE’s expanding charging network, which now encompasses more than 2,000 stations across the country.

For Kia, electrification will remain key as we expand our EV portfolio. We already have EV9, EV6, EV5, EV3 and PV5; and, this year, we will be rolling out EV9 GT, EV6 GT, and E4, showing that we’re not slowing our EV ambitions. These vehicles are a further extension of our electrification efforts to address business needs.

Many automotive brands today are repositioning themselves as mobility and technology companies rather than traditional car manufacturers. How does Kia view its own long-term identity within this broader transformation of the automotive industry?

For Kia, our identity as a Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider is a declaration we made deliberately at our brand relaunch in 2021, before much of the industry had begun to seriously articulate a comparable vision. Electric vehicles, hybrids, autonomous driving, PBVs and smart connectivity are products and platforms in active deployment, outlined in our Plan S strategy, which has provided the architectural framework for Kia’s evolution from a traditional automotive manufacturer to a modern, sustainable mobility solutions provider.

The PV5 has been developed as Kia’s first dedicated PBV. What were the key customer needs or market trends that influenced its design and development?

The development of the PV5 was shaped by a convergence of structural market forces.  The rapid growth of last-mile delivery to networks, shared mobility needs, the demand for more sophisticated, connected fleets, and even the growing mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) economy have collectively redefined what a commercial vehicle must deliver. What became clear in this process is that no single configuration can adequately address the breadth and specificity of these demands, and that genuine versatility in mobility solutions requires sector-level engineering.

For example, to support People of Determination passengers, we developed Kia PV5 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), which has dedicated wheelchair features, and optimised passenger area. Critically, it is produced as a fully integrated OEM solution, i.e. the accessibility features are engineered into the vehicle’s architecture with structural integrity, occupant safety, and long-term user experience.

Charging infrastructure continues to develop across the region. How does the PV5’s charging capability and battery offering support the practical needs of commercial operators?

The PV5 supports both AC and DC charging solutions, including DC fast charging capability which gets the vehicle charged from 10% to 80% in just approximately 30 minutes, a figure that translates into reduced downtime and higher vehicle availability. Certain variants, such as the PV5 Cargo, are available with configurations designed to meet different operational requirements, including a long-range 71.2 kWh battery offering a WLTP range of up to 416 kilometres. That range profile is comfortably capable of sustaining intensive urban deployment cycles without requiring mid-shift recharging, addressing what has been the primary commercial hesitation around fleet electrification: that EVs cannot reliably meet the demands of professional use. The PV5 is engineered to answer that concern directly, and the GCC’s expanding charging infrastructure only strengthens the case further.