Geely expects to begin Irish sales in the first quarter of 2027 with three new EV models, including the E2, and plans to open a Dublin headquarters this month while it builds a dealer network. Chinese-owned companies account for 8.3% of new-car registrations in Ireland so far this year, a little over 10,000 cars.
Source: RTÉ
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.
Source: ArabWheels UAE
Al-Futtaim Toyota has launched the RAV4 plug-in hybrid in the UAE in two all-wheel-drive trims at AED154,900 and AED169,900 (USD42,200 and USD46,300). On the same day AGMC opened pre-orders for the Geely Monjaro EM-i at AED130,900 to AED149,900 (USD35,600 to USD40,800), quoting up to 116 km of electric range under WLTP.
Our thoughts A mainstream Japanese brand and a Chinese rival now offer plug-in hybrid SUVs within a few thousand dollars of each other, giving Gulf distributors a clear price benchmark for the segment.
Sources: ZigWheels UAE · ZigWheels UAE
Freelander International, the brand backed by Chery, says it will enter 11 Middle East markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, with a full roll-out in the first half of 2027. Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors will represent it in the UAE, where the Freelander 8 is due in the first quarter of 2027. Partnership agreements for Bahrain and Oman were signed in October; the partners were not named.
Our thoughts A new Chinese-backed brand with an as-yet unnamed Omani partner will shift at least one local distributor's line-up in 2027; how quickly it builds a showroom and service network will decide how fast it can compete.
Briefs summarise reporting by the outlets linked under each item; follow the links for the original. Our thoughts are our own view, for general information only and not advice. See our disclaimer.