In the United Arab Emirates this week, Chinese manufacturing and showmanship arrived together: ROX began delivering UAE-built SUVs, BYD prepared a Dubai debut for the Yangwang Altior, and Dubai Police added a Jetour to its desert fleet.
Production in Abu Dhabi
ROX delivered its first 100 vehicles built in the UAE, made at an AI-focused manufacturing centre in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, which it says it developed in six months (report). That moves the company's Abu Dhabi presence from sales into production.
Dubai as a stage for BYD's top end
Yangwang named its flagship sedan the Altior for export markets, with a world debut in Dubai set for November 5 and an expected price of about US$300,000 (report). The car is called Dingyao in China (report). BYD also said it is targeting Dubai for a November attempt to take the Yangwang U9 Xtreme beyond 500 km/h, but has not announced a route, permissions or a firm date (report).
In service and on test
Dubai Police added a Jetour G700 to its fleet for desert patrol ahead of the winter tourism season (report). Arab GT tested the XPeng GX in Suwayhan: after more than two and a half hours in direct sun the cabin reached 49°C, and with maximum air conditioning it cooled to 29°C within 11 minutes. GCC deliveries are expected in 2027 (report).
What it means
- The UAE is being used for three different purposes this week: assembly (ROX), launch and record-attempt publicity (BYD), and credibility with a public-sector buyer (Dubai Police).
- Most of the news is announcements and tests; no sales figures were reported.