Chinese vehicles gain popularity among car buyers in the GCC
According to data from AutoData Middle East, a subsidiary of World Automotive Group (WAG) and a leading automotive data solutions provider in the UAE, The automotive industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with the UAE recording 318,981 vehicle registrations in 2024 — a 15.7 per cent increase following a 27.2 per cent surge in 2023. Saudi Arabia also surpassed a significant milestone, exceeding 1 million vehicle registrations for the first time.
Chinese automakers are continuing to grow their market share in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Overall, Chinese brands are reshaping market dynamics, with vehicle inquiries rising by 77 per cent in late 2024, signalling a stronger foothold in the used car market.
Data from VehicleReport.me reveals that 86 per cent of users are buyers, while 14 per cent are sellers. Among buyers, 75 per cent prefer GCC-spec vehicles, which are specifically designed to withstand the region's climate and conditions.
When it comes to purchasing behaviour, 83 per cent of respondents in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia prefer to start their car-buying journey on dealer websites, underscoring the importance of a strong online presence. UAE car buyers, in particular, visit dealerships an average of 3.9 times before making a decision — the highest globally.
Used car listings on DubiCars illustrate a growing preference for Chinese models, with listings increasing by 56 per cent in 2024, while non-Chinese brand listings declined by 5 per cent. The hybrid segment also gained momentum, with listings rising 44 per cent, while EV listings showed only a modest 2 per cent increase, highlighting consumers' preference for fuel-efficient alternatives over fully electric vehicles. SUVs continue to dominate the market.
The UAE government is accelerating its Electric Vehicles (EV) adoption efforts, targeting 50 per cent of total vehicle sales by 2050. Dubai is also making significant strides, with plans to increase EV numbers to 42,000 by 2030, a sixfold increase from current levels.
EV charging infrastructure continues to develop, supported by government incentives and advancements in ultra-fast charging technology. The UAE remains at the forefront of autonomous mobility, with 60 per cent of respondents supporting self-driving vehicle adoption. 'Initiatives such as Masdar City's autonomous vehicle trials and Dubai's goal for 25 per cent of trips to be driverless by 2030 are paving the way for the region's future in smart mobility,' a statement said.
As electrification and autonomous mobility gain traction, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as pivotal players in the global automotive shift.
Looking ahead: The road to transformation
The report underscores the region's dynamic shift towards enhanced consumer trust and varied industry strategies in the automotive sector. From the growing demand for transparency in vehicle history to the surge in Chinese car brands and the acceleration of hybrid and EV adoption, the region's automotive industry is poised for continued evolution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 launches with record value offerings
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) has launched with its largest ever commercial offering, featuring thousands of deals across hospitality, retail, and entertainment sectors as the emirate seeks to drive summer tourism. The 66-day festival, running until 31 August and organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), spans hotels, attractions, dining, and retail with participating venues offering significant discounts to stimulate consumer spending. The DSS ENTERTAINER has returned with over 7,500 Buy One Get One Free offers across dining, attractions, hotels, spas, and fitness venues. The three-month unlimited access product, valid seven days a week, targets both residents and tourists with participating venues including Wild Wadi, MOTIONGATE Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Shake Shack, STK, Asia Asia, Real Madrid World, Le Pain Quotidien, and Café Bateel. UAE and GCC residents can access discounted staycation packages offering up to 30% off room rates, complimentary breakfast, dining deals, and resort credit across Dubai's hotel sector. Participating properties include The First Collection Business Bay, Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel, Paramount Hotel Dubai, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay, Park Hyatt Dubai, Swissotel Al Ghurair, Banyan Tree Dubai, Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel, ME Dubai by Melia, NH Collection Dubai The Palm, Studio M Arabian Plaza, Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay, Dukes The Palm, Millennium Place Marina, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City, Radisson RED Hotel Dubai Silicon Oasis, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, Pullman JLT, and Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown. New hotel participants include Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery, Terra Solis Dubai, Address Sky View, Vida Emirates Hills, and Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, while The Dubai Balloon at Atlantis has introduced aerial experiences targeting the resident market. Major attractions including AYA Universe, The Green Planet, Madame Tussauds, Legoland Dubai, Legoland Water Park, Motiongate Dubai, Neon Galaxy, and Dubai Crocodile Park are offering summer-specific pricing and Kids Go Free promotions to drive family visitation. Resort hotels JA Hatta Fort Hotel and Lapita at Dubai Parks and Resorts are bundling accommodation with family-friendly perks including complimentary children's dining and entertainment. The festival introduces a three-phase retail strategy: Summer Holiday Offers (27 June to 17 July), Great Dubai Summer Sale (18 July to 10 August), and Back to School (11 to 31 August). Each phase features distinct retail promotions, mall activations, and prize draws designed to maximise consumer spending across different shopping categories. Commercial Bank of Dubai serves as key sponsor, while strategic partners include Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat. The festival represents the 28th edition of Dubai's summer tourism and retail stimulus programme.
Arabian Post
5 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Why the World Isn't Leaving China
Imran Khalid In a global economic environment that remains shaky and uneven, China's ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) is more than just a bright spot – it's a quiet vindication of long-term planning, policy stability, and a commitment to innovation-led growth. Contrary to Western narratives of economic decoupling or investor flight, the latest data paints a far more grounded picture: foreign capital is not just staying in China – it is doubling down. The numbers are compelling. According to the Ministry of Commerce, foreign direct investment in China's high-tech sectors totalled 109.04 billion yuan ($15.22 billion) between January and May in e-commerce services surged a staggering 146 percent year-on-year, aerospace equipment manufacturing rose by 74.9 percent, and chemical pharmaceuticals saw a 59.2 percent uptick. These are not marginal gains; they signal a structural commitment by foreign firms to tap into China's evolving industrial ecosystem. ADVERTISEMENT It's not hard to see why. China today is not merely a manufacturing hub – it is increasingly a laboratory for business model experimentation and technological advancement. From digital infrastructure to low-carbon industrial transitions, China is setting the pace for what the next generation of economic development looks like. And multinationals are embedding themselves deeper into this transformation. The development of new quality productive forces is accelerating the emergence of innovation-driven digital and green productivity. In this sense, foreign firms are not just beneficiaries of China's rise – they are co-creators of its future. The notion that China is somehow 'closing off' or turning inward misses the mark. What we are witnessing instead is a reconfiguration: from low-cost production to high-value innovation, from simple exports to complex, symbiotic value chains. The recalibration is not only in products, but in purpose. Many foreign companies now view their operations in China as critical nodes in their global strategy. As Nathan Stoner of Cummins emphasized, the goal is 'not only to serve the Chinese market, but also to support Chinese automakers in their global expansion.' Such partnerships underscore a quiet but profound shift: China is no longer just a destination – it is a springboard. Beyond the numbers and boardroom strategies, there is a broader story unfolding – one of renewed confidence in China's institutional and infrastructural resilience. Whether it's the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region's advanced logistics ecosystem, or the growing network of free trade zones, or simply the massive consumer base that embraces digital transformation faster than anywhere else, China offers a business environment that rewards long-term vision. This momentum goes beyond factories and laboratories, reaching into tourism, services, and cultural exchange. The new partnership between Air China, Air New Zealand, and Tourism New Zealand is emblematic of how people-to-people connections are bouncing back with economic consequences. Air New Zealand's $700,000 investment in Chinese market promotion and the expected 33 percent increase in premium seats on the Shanghai-Auckland route are signals of demand recovery and soft power resonance. ADVERTISEMENT In geopolitical terms, this continued flow of capital and confidence into China is instructive. Despite strategic competition, tech restrictions, and trade uncertainties fueled largely by Washington and its allies, global business leaders continue to differentiate between political rhetoric and economic reality. For many, the question is not whether to invest in China – but how to do so more smartly. Indeed, countries like the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Germany have seen their FDI into China rise 60.9 percent, 10.3 percent, and 7.1 percent respectively in the first five months of 2025. These are not economies with trivial stakes – they are core players in the high-tech and automotive sectors, and their renewed bets on China carry weight. The Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, in a mid-June report, noted that foreign enterprises are reshaping industrial chains and driving localized innovation. This is crucial, because it signals not just transactional investment, but transformative integration. It's not only capital that is flowing into China – it is also trust in its long-term vision. Of course, challenges remain. From demographic transitions to the complexities of decarbonization, China's road ahead is not without bumps. But if the current surge in FDI is any indication, global investors are voting with their wallets – and their presence. They are betting on China not out of sentiment, but out of strategy. As the world wrestles with economic fragmentation and sluggish growth, China's continuing ability to attract and absorb foreign investment serves as a reminder: stability, innovation, and openness are not just slogans – they are tangible advantages. In this volatile decade, few nations offer all three at once. China does. And the world is paying attention. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
Al Etihad
9 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Trump says US will start talks with China on TikTok deal this week
5 July 2025 08:32 AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters)US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will start talking to China on Monday or Tuesday about a possible TikTok said the United States "pretty much" has a deal on the sale of the TikTok short-video app."I think we're gonna start Monday or to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives, but we would we pretty much have a deal," Trump told reporters on Air Force month, Trump extended to September 17 a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US assets of TikTok.A deal had been in the works this spring to spin off TikTok's US operations into a new US-based firm, majority-owned and operated by US investors, but it was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve it following Trump's announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese said the United States will probably have to get a deal approved by China. When asked how confident he was that China would agree to a deal, he said, "I'm not confident, but I think so. President Xi and I have a great relationship, and I think it's good for them. I think the deal is good for China and it's good for us."
