Industry News

GCC Policy & trade

UAE caps vehicle registrations at five per person from 2027

New executive regulations under the UAE federal traffic law take effect on 1 January 2027. An individual resident may register up to five vehicles, with an extra fee, not yet set, for the third to the fifth. Registration will cost AED400 (USD109) and renewal AED350 (USD95) plus AED150 (USD41) for inspection, some light vehicles up to six years old may be registered for two years, and right-hand-drive vehicles are limited to display use.

Our thoughts Dealers and leasing companies should model how the new per-vehicle fees and the five-car ceiling affect multi-car households, one of the UAE's steadier sources of repeat sales.

GCC Finance & M&A

Cars24 brings Dubai's Alba Cars into its group

Online car platform Cars24 and Dubai used-car dealer Alba Cars have announced a deal that makes Alba Cars part of the Cars24 group; no financial terms were disclosed. Together they retail more than 1,000 vehicles a month in the UAE, about 300 of them through Alba Cars, which keeps its brand and management.

Our thoughts Consolidation in UAE used-car retail strengthens the buyers of trade-ins, which matters to franchised dealers whose new-car sales depend on trade-in values.

GCC Launches

Updated Mercedes S-Class and Maybach make regional debut

Mercedes-Benz showed the updated S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class for the first time in the region in Abu Dhabi on 3 November, as part of its 140th-anniversary events. Prices, engine line-ups and delivery dates for the region were not given.

GCC Policy & trade

Saudi Arabia recalls 1,262 RAM pick-ups over trailer-brake fault

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce has announced a recall of 1,262 RAM 1500, 2500 and 5500 trucks from the 2025 and 2026 model years. A fault in the trailer control module can stop a towed trailer's lights and brakes from working; the truck's own brakes are unaffected. Petromin Stellantis will carry out the repairs.

Our thoughts Saudi recalls are announced by the ministry and run by the local distributor, so importers of US-built pick-ups should plan for the cost and workshop capacity of campaigns like this.

Global Policy & trade

Thailand raises excise tax on imported EVs to 35% from 2027

Thailand's cabinet has approved raising the excise tax on imported battery-electric vehicles from 10% to 35%, and on imported range-extender EVs from 15% to 35%, from 1 January 2027. The government says it will offer reduced-rate incentive packages to investors that set up or expand manufacturing in Thailand, to protect local jobs and its role as a regional export hub. Some Chinese brands, including Leapmotor and Voyah, are studying local assembly.

Our thoughts Thailand links tax relief directly to local manufacturing, a working model for GCC governments that want assembly plants; it is also likely to deepen Chinese and Japanese production in a country that already ships pick-ups and SUVs to the Gulf.

Global Finance & M&A

Ferrari raises 2026 guidance as third-quarter profit rises 13%

Ferrari's third-quarter net revenues rose 7% to EUR1.896bn (USD2.1bn) and net profit 13% to EUR431m (USD484m), although shipments slipped to 3,368 cars on lower deliveries to China. It raised its 2026 targets to about EUR7.65bn of revenue and at least EUR3.0bn of adjusted EBITDA, citing demand for personalisation, and says its order book runs into 2028.

Our thoughts An order book stretching into 2028 means long allocation queues for GCC dealers and their customers, and little need for the brand to discount anywhere.

Global Market

Hyundai and Kia post record October sales in the US

Hyundai Motor America sold 73,452 vehicles in October, up 5% and its best October yet, with hybrids up 20% to 29% of volume. Kia America's sales rose 16% to 80,008, helped by a 63% rise for the Telluride.

Our thoughts Strong US demand for the hybrids and large SUVs Hyundai and Kia also sell in the Gulf could tighten allocations for GCC distributors in 2027.