October 2026 was a big month for the automotive industry. Carmakers broke records, opened new plants and brought new technology to the road. BMW M has built its one-millionth car. Tesla has revealed a Roadster that uses fans and thrusters to grip the road. Honda is testing roads that charge electric vehicles as they drive. Audi is putting humanoid robots to work on its production line.

The Middle East is no longer just a market. It is becoming a maker. The UAE has delivered its first 100 Made in the Emirates SUVs. Saudi Arabia’s national brand, CEER, has opened its doors to buyers. Global names from McLaren to Polestar are arriving or returning.

This roundup brings together October’s biggest wins in automotive industry news, from around the world and across the region. Electric vehicles, AI, autonomous driving, new factories and record sales: here is what moved the industry forward this month.

Tesla Roadster Uses Fans and Thrusters to Rewrite Grip

Tesla has detailed the technology behind its new Roadster. A fan and ground-sealing system pulls air from beneath the car to create suction. Tesla says it can generate around two g of downforce. That is enough to hold the car upside down, even when stationary. Ten cold-gas thrusters, fed by 600 litres of compressed air, add force the tyres cannot. Three versions are planned: Performance, Thrust and an invitation-only Rocket. The Thrust model targets 0–60 mph in under 0.9 seconds. Rocket can briefly leave the ground and is not approved for public roads. Production is slated for 2028. The thrusters push the car forward without relying on tyre grip. Fan-car downforce is not new: the Brabham BT46B used it to win a Formula 1 race in 1978.

GM Launches OnStar Fleet Intelligence with AI Assistant

GM has launched OnStar Fleet Intelligence for commercial operators. The single-account platform combines vehicle data, connected services and AI analysis. Selected GM Fleet customers can already use it. A phased rollout will add more. Larger customers can manage every vehicle under one GM Fleet account through a single login, whatever the make. Users can track orders, connect vehicles and view diagnostics such as fuel use and range. A Fleet Insights tool finds patterns across vehicles, routes and drivers. An AI assistant answers plain-language questions, such as total idling time per vehicle.

BMW M Builds One-Millionth Car as Munich Wins Electric M3

BMW M has built its one-millionth vehicle. The milestone car is an M3 in BMW Individual Fire Orange III. It was built at BMW Group’s Munich plant, 40 years after the first M3 went on sale. Munich will also be the sole production site for the first fully electric M3. It will be the first high-performance model on BMW M’s Neue Klasse technology, and the second Neue Klasse model built in Munich after the i3. From 2027, the plant will build only electric vehicles. BMW has invested around €650m (US$761m) in the conversion, adding a new body shop and assembly area. No launch date has been given for the electric M3.

Audi Tests Humanoid Robots for Parts Sequencing

Audi is testing mobile humanoid robots from Agile Robots at its Ingolstadt plant. The robots pick and sequence parts for final assembly. The proof of concept was unveiled at Nvidia’s GTC Berlin, with Dassault Systèmes as a partner. Audi’s sequencing involves around one million picks every day. A digital twin checks feasibility, timing, ergonomics and safety before any deployment. Varied parts and unsorted bins have long resisted automation. Agile Robots has installed more than 20,000 robots worldwide.

Mitsubishi Pajero Returns to Japan with 5,500 Pre-Orders

The new Mitsubishi Pajero has received about 5,500 pre-orders in Japan in four weeks. That already exceeds Mitsubishi Motors’ sales target for the fiscal year to March 2027. Dealers begin selling the three-row SUV on 17 December 2026. The previous Pajero left the Japanese market in 2019. Power comes from a 2.4-litre turbodiesel producing 150kW and 480Nm. It drives through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Official fuel economy is 12.1km/L. The SUV uses a ladder frame and the Super Select 4WD-II system with seven drive modes. The model is already on sale in Thailand.

Hyundai Climbs to 29th in Best Global Brands 2026

Hyundai Motor Company has climbed to 29th in Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2026 ranking. Its brand value rose 2% to US$25bn. It is the 17th consecutive year of brand value growth. Hyundai rose two places and now ranks fourth among automotive brands. Interbrand linked the rise to strength in robotics and electrification. Hyundai sold 961,812 electrified vehicles in 2025, up 27%. Electrified models made up a record 24.9% of global sales in the first quarter of 2026. Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot is due to start work at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in 2028. The group also plans to install Pleos Connect software in about 20 million vehicles by 2030.

Honda Develops Road Charging System for EVs on the Move

Honda R&D, Taisei Corporation and Taisei Rotec have developed the core technology for a road that wirelessly charges EVs as they drive. Public road trials are planned from April 2027, starting with logistics and large commercial vehicles. Honda supplies the road and vehicle units, while the Taisei companies provide the power supply and road-building methods. Honda says its road units are the first to combine the inverter and coil, which cuts parts and roadwork and allows them to be fitted into existing roads. Tests in Satte show the units and road surface can bear vehicles of about 20 tonnes. A second test track will add one million wheel passes, and later work will verify outputs of up to 150kW for heavy trucks. The partners will also join an expressway trial in Chiba from fiscal 2027.

Volkswagen Begins New Atlas Assembly at Chattanooga

Volkswagen of America has started assembly of the second-generation Atlas at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 2027 model reaches US dealers in October 2026. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine rated at 282 horsepower, the most yet offered in the Atlas. Workers and officials marked the start on 29 September. The plant has built more than one million Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles since 2016, after an initial US$900m expansion. More than 4,000 people now work at Volkswagen’s only US plant. Local production could give the Atlas a pricing edge over imported rivals such as the Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-90.

MAN Builds 200,000th TGE Van as Output Pace Doubles

MAN Truck & Bus has built its 200,000th TGE van at Września, Poland. The milestone comes ten years after the model’s debut. The second 100,000 units took just over three years. The first took more than six. MAN credits body-building expertise drawn from its truck business. Nearly one in three TGEs reaches its buyer with a body fitted. Automatic gearboxes now narrowly outsell manuals, at 53% to 47%. The milestone vehicle, a rear-wheel-drive TGE 5.160, took around 52 hours to build. Panel vans make up 71% of output, with chassis cabs accounting for the rest.

Toyota Starts Carbon-Neutral Production at Deeside

Toyota Motor Europe has started carbon-neutral production at its Deeside engine plant in North Wales. It is Toyota’s first carbon-neutral plant outside Japan. A neighbouring €329m anaerobic digester now supplies biomethane gas and electricity. It replaces natural gas, saving almost 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year. The site already uses renewable electricity and sends no waste to landfill. Engine blocks now include recycled aluminium from end-of-life alloy wheels. The digester processes about 180,000 tonnes of local waste a year. Deeside builds the 1.8-litre hybrid and petrol engines for the Corolla and C-HR. Full ISO 14068 accreditation will follow a 12-month production cycle in 2027. Toyota targets carbon-neutral production at all its European sites by 2030.

Honda and Mitsubishi Motors Sign First Vehicle Supply MoU

Honda will launch a pickup in Southeast Asia in 2028 based on the Mitsubishi Triton. It is the first time the two carmakers have supplied vehicles for each other’s line-ups. Honda currently sells no pickup in the region. Mitsubishi gains extra volume for its plant in Thailand. The deal grows out of the strategic framework Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan agreed in August 2024. The Triton is a one-tonne, ladder-frame pickup and a global strategic model for Mitsubishi. No details on volumes, powertrains or styling differences have been given.

Audi Celebrates Three Decades and Six Million A3 Models

Audi A3 production has passed six million units as the model marks 30 years since its debut at the 1996 Paris Motor Show. Over four generations, the line has grown from a single three-door hatchback into 17 model and drive variants sold in more than 100 countries. Audi credits the A3 with creating the premium compact segment, and it brought all-wheel drive to the class in 1998. The 2004 Sportback remains the highest-volume body style, and the 2012 third generation was the first Audi on the modular transverse matrix platform. The 2014 A3 Sportback e-tron was the brand’s first compact plug-in hybrid, while the current generation added 48-volt mild hybrids. The RS 3 has carried a five-cylinder engine since 2011, and the A3 allstreet crossover arrived in 2024. Production started in Ingolstadt and later expanded to Brazil in 1999 and to Győr in Hungary.

Aurora to Fit 20 Driverless Trucks a Week from December

Aurora Innovation expects to fit its driverless system to 20 trucks a week from early December. The work will be carried out with upfitting partner Roush. That rate equates to about 1,000 trucks a year. More than 20 driverless trucks are already built and joining the fleet. Volvo is separately fitting the Aurora Driver on its own assembly line. Volvo and PACCAR are preparing for full OEM industrialisation. US regulators have granted a five-year industry-wide exemption. Stopped driverless trucks can now use cab-mounted beacons instead of hand-placed roadside warnings. Charger Logistics has signed a non-binding agreement for 500 trucks for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Aurora ended the quarter with more than US$1bn in cash and short-term investments.

McLaren Names Next Series Supercar McL 820 for 2027

McLaren will launch its next series-production supercar in 2027. It will be called the McL 820. The number reflects the car’s 820PS (603kW) power output. The McL prefix draws on the company’s motorsport history. The name introduces a new naming system covering both road cars and racing machines. McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing will now present a single identity to customers. The name was revealed with a camouflage-wrapped kiwi statue in central London. Founder Bruce McLaren first adopted the kiwi as an emblem. McLaren sells cars in more than 40 markets. Further details of the McL 820 will follow in 2027.

Archer and ITA Airways Plan Electric Air Taxis for Italy

Archer Aviation and ITA Airways have agreed to develop an electric air taxi network for major Italian cities. The service will use Archer’s Midnight aircraft. ITA, a Lufthansa Group carrier, is the first European airline in Archer’s partner network. That network already covers the US and the UAE. Archer says flights of 10 to 20 minutes could replace drives of up to 90 minutes. Central Rome could be under 10 minutes from Fiumicino Airport, against an hour by road. Fiumicino handled more than 50 million passengers last year for the first time. ITA will focus on integrating the service into its network. Specialist partners will run operations. The agreement remains subject to definitive contracts.

Leapmotor Starts B10 Production in Spain and Debuts B03

Leapmotor has begun building the B10 at its first European plant, in Zaragoza, Spain. The site was set up with Stellantis. Local production helps shield it from EU duties on China-built EVs. Leapmotor also gave the B03 urban hatchback its European premiere. It offers up to 390 km of range. A 10–80% charge takes 21 minutes. The D19 flagship SUV, with range-extender technology, was also on show. Leapmotor customers gain access to Stellantis’ Free2move Charge network of over one million chargers. The B03 enters the same segment as Citroën and Fiat’s affordable EVs.

Nissan Frontier Pro Becomes First China-Built Export Model

The Nissan Frontier Pro pickup launches in Mexico this month as Nissan’s first model engineered and built in China for export worldwide. It is sold as the Navara Pro in some markets. The truck reaches the Philippines, the Middle East and wider Latin America by year-end, with Australia and New Zealand following in 2027. It is designed and built to Nissan standards by Zhengzhou Nissan, the company’s Chinese joint venture. Latin America, ASEAN and Oceania get 1.5- or 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid versions with vehicle-to-load power, making it Nissan’s first electrified pickup. Middle East buyers will get petrol and diesel versions instead. Nissan also plans to export the N7 electrified sedan from China to ASEAN and Latin America, suggesting a wider shift in how it sources vehicles.

Renault 4 E-Tech Range Rises to 415km as New Orders Open

Renault is adding an entry-level Renault 4 E-Tech with a lithium iron phosphate battery and extending the range of existing versions, with orders opening on 12 or 13 October. Aerodynamic changes lift range to as much as 415km with the 52kWh battery and 310km with the 40kWh pack. The new Jogging trim, due before the end of 2026, uses a 37kWh battery rated at 305km and an 80kW motor shared with the Twingo. Iron phosphate cells are usually cheaper than nickel-based ones, pointing to a lower starting price, though Renault has not published pricing. Every version gains battery pre-conditioning for faster charging, a better reversing camera and an emergency stop function if the driver stops responding. A Roland-Garros special edition also joins the range. For business buyers, a second van variant called Extra offers up to 360kg of payload in six European markets.

Chery to Build Omoda C4 at Former Nissan Rosslyn Plant

Chery will begin vehicle production in South Africa with the Omoda C4. The car will be built at the Rosslyn plant in Gauteng, which Chery bought from Nissan South Africa earlier this year. Petrol, hybrid and fully electric versions are due on sale locally in 2027. The plant will receive infrastructure and utility upgrades before production starts. A localisation programme aims to deepen South Africa’s supplier base. Taking over an existing site gives Chery a faster route into local manufacturing than building a new factory. The C4 targets younger buyers with a 13.2-inch central screen and a 540-degree camera system.

Audi Q9 Debuts World’s First Curved Digital OLED Rear Lights

Audi’s new Q9 is the first production car with three-dimensionally curved digital OLED rear-light panels. The carrier glass is just 0.1mm thick. This lets the panels bend to a 200mm radius and follow the body’s contours. The third-generation system spreads 512 segments across six panels and can show warning symbols to other road users. Up front, digital Matrix LED headlights use 25,600 micro-LEDs to project lane guidance and turn signals onto the road. Wrapping the lights around the corners makes them visible from wider angles. Audi first fitted OLED rear lights to the TT RS in 2016.

Regional Highlights

ROX Delivers First 100 Made in the Emirates Vehicles

ROX has delivered its first batch of 100 vehicles manufactured in the UAE. Each carries the Made in the Emirates mark on its bodywork. The vehicles form the brand’s UAE Signature Edition. Each one is a luxury SUV built through a numbered production process. They were produced at the ROX AI Manufacturing Centre in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi. The project brings together the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and ROX. It is supported under the Make it in the Emirates initiative and Operation 300bn. ROX built its Abu Dhabi facility in six months. The site combines a manufacturing centre, an AI lab and a design studio. Continued production at ICAD/KEZAD will support ROX’s expansion into regional markets.

CEER Opens First Mobile Store in Riyadh

CEER, Saudi Arabia’s first national car brand, has opened its first mobile store at Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah, Riyadh, starting its nationwide retail rollout. The store showcases the first vehicles fully designed, engineered and built in the Kingdom. Reservations are now open for the Exobot First Edition sedan and SUV, both priced at SAR 399,000. The cars offer 850hp, 1,000Nm, up to 670km of range and 10-80% charging in under 30 minutes. The price includes a six-year warranty, servicing and roadside assistance, plus an eight-year battery warranty. More mobile stores will open this year in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, alongside permanent CEER Centers in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar. Regular production is planned for the first quarter of 2027, with GCC expansion from the first half of 2028.

JLR and Chery Launch Freelander Brand Globally in the UAE

Freelander, the brand created by JLR and Chery, held its global launch in Abu Dhabi on 29 September. It presented the left-hand-drive Freelander 8 as its first model. JLR owns the name and leads design. Chery supplies the technology and supply chain. The plug-in hybrid pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with a 34.12kWh LFP battery and two electric motors. It produces up to 460kW. Middle East models are rated at 886km combined, including 110km on electric power. Al Tayer Motors covers Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Premier Motors covers Abu Dhabi. Air suspension gives up to 266mm of ground clearance. Registration of interest is now open in the UAE. Australia and New Zealand follow in 2027, with right-hand-drive and EU markets after.

McLaren Returns to Saudi Arabia with Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors

McLaren Automotive is returning to Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, one of the Kingdom’s most established automotive groups. The business will operate as McLaren Riyadh, the brand’s authorised retailer in Saudi Arabia. It will handle the full customer journey, from sales to aftersales, once registration and licensing are complete. César Habib, McLaren’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and India, described Saudi Arabia as an extremely important market with a loyal customer base. Chairman Mohamed Yousuf Naghi said the group will focus on delivering an exceptional experience at every stage of ownership. McLaren is present in more than 40 markets worldwide. The move forms part of the brand’s wider growth push into high-potential markets across the Middle East.

Egypt’s Auto Sales Rise 25.76% in Eight Months

Egypt’s vehicle sales rose 25.76% to 135,445 units in the first eight months of 2026. That is according to the Automotive Market Information Council. Passenger car sales rose 22% to 101,492 units. Bus sales jumped 78.5% to 12,101. Truck sales climbed 22.7% to 21,852. In August alone, total sales grew 5.6% to 18,576 units. Passenger car sales rose 7.8% in August to 14,352 units. Truck sales fell 15.9% in the month to 2,572 units.

OMODA & JAECOO Global Sales Jump 123% as UAE Deliveries Pass 6,000

OMODA & JAECOO’s global sales rose 123% year on year in September 2026. Electrified models led the growth, with NEV sales up 184% to 53,957 units. In the UK, the JAECOO J7 was the best-selling new car in September. In the UAE, cumulative deliveries passed 6,000 since local operations began in February 2025. The brand has showrooms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The OMODA O5 HEV joined the UAE line-up in September. The new OMODA X crossover makes its global debut on 20 October in Wuhu. A technology announcement on intelligent valet parking is planned for the UAE later this year.

Lucid Opens Middle East’s First Company-Owned Body and Paint Centre

Lucid has opened its first company-owned body and paint repair centre in the Middle East, in Riyadh. The facility is purpose-built for Lucid vehicles, with dedicated body and paint areas and advanced diagnostic systems. It is staffed by Lucid-trained technicians working to the company’s own repair standards. It adds to the company’s existing studios and service centres in Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as its mobile service. Chief Customer Officer Billy Hayes said the facility reinforces Lucid’s long-term commitment to customers in the Kingdom. Lucid is also moving its AMP-2 plant in King Abdullah Economic City from semi-knockdown assembly towards full vehicle manufacturing. Lucid was the first global carmaker to join the Saudi Made programme and continues to develop Saudi talent across its operations.

Al-Futtaim Launches Polestar 5 in the UAE

Al-Futtaim has launched the Polestar 5 in the UAE. The four-door grand tourer is Polestar’s flagship model. It grew directly from the Precept concept. Prices start at AED 439,000. The Performance variant produces 650kW (884hp) and 1,015Nm. It reaches 100km/h in 3.2 seconds. The Dual motor variant produces 550kW (748hp) and reaches 100km/h in 3.9 seconds. Both use a 112kWh battery on an 800V architecture. Charging at up to 350kW takes the battery from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes. WLTP range reaches up to 678km. The drag coefficient is just 0.24. Orders are open at Polestar Space Dubai Festival City and Polestar Space Abu Dhabi, Mina Zayed.

Changan Launches Deepal S09 Flagship SUV in the Middle East

Changan has launched the Deepal S09 across the Middle East and Africa. Launch events were held in Oman and Egypt. The six-seat range-extended electric SUV was co-developed with Huawei. It becomes Deepal’s regional flagship. A 1.5-litre turbocharged engine acts as a range extender for a two-motor four-wheel-drive system. Fast charging takes the battery from 30% to 80% in about 15 minutes. Second-row seats offer 16-way electric adjustment, heating, cooling and massage. The cabin has twin 15.6in front screens, a 21.4in rear display and 20 speakers. Changan has sold more than 500,000 vehicles in the region since 1994. The range extender lets it offer an electrified flagship without relying on charging networks.

Chevrolet and Al Ghandi Auto Open Experiential Showroom in Dubai

Chevrolet has opened what it calls a global-first Customer Experiential Showroom at City Centre Mirdif. It was developed with its exclusive Dubai dealer, Al Ghandi Auto. The space covers more than 630 square metres. It has four zones, including a Corvette performance zone with a driving simulator. Customers can discover, configure, test drive and buy under one roof. LED walls and interactive screens let visitors compare and personalise vehicles. A modular layout can adapt to new launches and events.

Ford Racing Parts Launches in the Middle East

Ford has launched Ford Racing Parts in the Middle East. It is the first region outside North America to get the programme. The rollout starts with the Bronco, from model year 2021 onwards. Upgrades include a tune with an average 15% power gain and a 2-inch suspension lift. Parts fitted by authorised distributors carry Ford warranty. The programme was developed over more than two years of testing and regional assessment. Upgrades also include RIGID off-road lights, among them a 40-inch roof-mounted light bar.

ADNOC Distribution and Jetour Partner in the UAE

ADNOC Distribution has signed a partnership with Jetour UAE. ADNOC Voyager becomes Jetour’s lubricants partner in the UAE. The UAE-made oils will support Jetour’s growing aftersales operations. More than 50,000 Jetour vehicles are now on UAE roads. ADNOC Distribution runs more than 550 service stations in the country. Joint customer campaigns will include activations at Liwa Festival 2026. ADNOC Voyager is sold in 54 international markets and aims to reach 100 by 2030. Customers can win Jetour T2 and G700 SUVs through the ADNOC Rewards app.

Wallan Trading Opens Integrated Renault Facility in Jazan

Wallan Trading has opened a new Renault facility in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. It is located on King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Road. The site spans 3,253 square metres. It combines a showroom, a service centre and a spare parts department. Customers can buy, service and source parts for their vehicles at one location. The opening expands Renault’s presence in the Southern Region. Chairman Fahad bin Saad Wallan said the move is part of plans to expand the network across the Kingdom. He added that investment in aftersales is key to long-term customer relationships. Renault’s Saudi range includes the Koleos, Duster, Arkana and Megane Sedan. It also includes the Master and Express commercial vehicles. Renault’s futuReady plan targets 36 new models by 2030.

Mahy Khoory Delivers 1,000 OMODA & JAECOO Vehicles in Abu Dhabi

Mahy Khoory Automotive has delivered more than 1,000 OMODA & JAECOO vehicles to customers in Abu Dhabi. The dealer covers Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. It operates a 600 sq m showroom on Airport Road, opened in October 2025, and a showroom and service centre in Mussafah. The milestone comes as the Chery-owned brands passed 6,000 cumulative deliveries across the UAE in September. Technician Abdul Rehman won the brands’ first UAE National Skills Competition and placed third at Chery’s international contest in Bahrain. He will now represent the UAE at the global final in China. The brands’ 2026 Global User Summit will take place in Wuhu, China, from 18 to 24 October.

Dubai Ambulance Unveils SANAD Multi-Mission Vehicle

Dubai Ambulance showcased SANAD at EMS World Expo 2026 in Orlando, Florida, from 30 September to 2 October. It describes the vehicle as a world-first off-road, multi-mission unit. SANAD was designed in Dubai. Partners include TORSUS, FERNO, Bristol, Whelen, Acetech, UXE and Frestems. It reaches patients in mountains, deserts and disaster zones. It carries up to 14 people, including two stretcher patients. It runs on a permanent 4×4 platform with adjustable air suspension. Built-in tracking and monitoring let it work as a self-sufficient medical post. The project reflects the “Dubai-it” initiative launched in 2026 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Nissan Rolls Out Connected Car Services 2.0 in Saudi Arabia

Nissan is expanding Connected Car Services 2.0 in Saudi Arabia through the MyNissan app. Drivers can remotely start the engine, pre-cool the cabin and lock or unlock the doors. The app also sends vehicle status, malfunction and geofence alerts. CCS 2.0 is available on the Patrol, 2027 X-Trail and 2027 Pathfinder. Nissan plans to extend it to more models. A Find My Car function helps drivers locate their vehicle in large car parks. The service also supports multiple users with individual preferences.

Ford Crowns Regional Technician Champion

More than 1,000 technicians from nine Middle East markets entered Ford MENA’s Technician Skills Competition. The final tested electrical systems, electronics and petrol engine performance. Sumanth Sundara Poojary of Almana Motors in Qatar was named winner. Kuwait’s Alghanim Auto and Saudi Arabia’s Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies took the runner-up places. Poojary will represent the region in Thailand on 12 November. Finalists completed theory and practical tests based on real-world repair scenarios. Distributors ran local competitions to select the nine finalists.

EXEED Expands After-Sales Network in Saudi Arabia

Arabian Heritage Motors, part of Al Ghurair Mobility, is expanding EXEED’s after-sales network in Saudi Arabia. Customers already have dedicated service facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. New touchpoints will range from full-service centres to quick-service points. Each site must meet set technical and brand standards before opening. The push supports EXEED’s growing presence in the Kingdom. Services include scheduled maintenance, genuine parts and warranty support. Customers also receive ongoing follow-up after purchase.

Conclusion

October’s message is clear. The automotive industry is investing, building and growing. Robots and AI are moving onto factory floors and into fleet management. Driverless trucks are scaling up. Electric and hybrid models are winning buyers. New factories are opening from Spain to South Africa.

The Middle East stands out. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are building their own cars, attracting global brands and expanding their dealer networks at speed. Egypt’s car market is growing by more than a quarter. The region is shaping the future of mobility, not just following it.

More milestones are already on the way, with new model launches, new factories and further autonomous rollouts ahead. Bookmark this page and check back for our next roundup of the latest automotive industry news from around the world and across the Middle East.

At AMENA, we partner with leading OEMs and Dealer/Importer networks across the MENA region to drive measurable performance across Sales, Aftersales, Parts, CSI, and NPS. Leveraging deep industry expertise, we deliver tailored strategies that elevate customer experience, optimise operational KPIs, and enhance brand loyalty.