Chinese Car Powerhouses: Top 10 Brands Chinese Brands in the UAE

The world has come a long way since the inception of the automobile industry back in 1898. While the rest of the world witnessed significant growth in this sector, China's automotive roots were only established in the 1950s. Owning a car in China was once considered a luxury exclusive to the wealthy, leaving the general population to rely on bicycles and horse-drawn carriages for transportation. However, the Chinese auto industry experienced massive growth in the 90s and the following decade, leading to the country being named the world's largest producer of automobiles in 2008. 

Since then, Chinese car manufacturers have been expanding rapidly, and their cars are now available in almost all corners of the world, including the UAE. Despite initial skepticism about their quality, Chinese cars are now manufactured to a high standard, and their affordability compared to immediate competitors has made them a popular choice. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Chinese car manufacturers in the UAE and the cars they have to offer. So, without further ado, let's delve into the world of Chinese cars in the UAE.

Haval 

Haval is an SUV-only brand that was established in 2013 and has gained recognition for producing high-quality SUVs. As of now, the company is solely focused on manufacturing SUVs, and their future plans seem to indicate that they will continue to do so.

Haval is a subsidiary of Great Wall Motors and has a global presence, with dealerships in various countries such as Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the USA, Iraq, Iran, and more.

In the UAE, Haval has been operating since 2016 through its partnership with the Al Naboodah Group, marking its debut in the region. Currently, Haval offers a range of SUVs in the UAE market, including the Jolion, Dargo, H6, H6 GT, and H9 models.

GAC Motor

GAC Motor is a Chinese car manufacturer that was established in 2008. It first entered foreign markets in 2013 and is now owned by the GAC Group. The name GAC stands for Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. The GAC Group is the parent company of several other automotive brands, such as Trumpchi, Aion, Hycan, Changfeng Motor, and Gonow.

GAC has also partnered with various renowned car manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, Hino, BYD, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Peugeot, and Fiat, to name a few. In the UAE, GAC has teamed up with Gargash Motors & General Trading, granting them exclusive distribution rights to GAC vehicles.

GAC offers a variety of vehicles in the UAE, including sedans, MPVs, and SUVs. The sedans available from GAC in the UAE include the Empow. The MPVs offered by GAC in the UAE include the GN6 and GN8. The SUVs sold by GAC in the UAE consist of the GS3, GS4, and GS8.

Geely Motors

Geely is a major automobile manufacturer in China, formally known as Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd, and is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The Geely Group owns several other car brands under its umbrella, including Volvo, Smart Automobile, Lynk & Co, Lotus cars, Polestar, and Maple.

In the UAE, Geely has partnered with Union Motors, where it currently offers a limited range of vehicles, consisting of only three models. Geely's presence in the UAE is mainly focused on sedans and SUVs. The three Geely models available for purchase in the UAE are the EC7 sedan, the Emgrand GS Sport SUV, and the Emgrand X7 Sport SUV.

BAIC Motors

BAIC Motor, headquartered in Beijing, is a well-known Chinese car manufacturer gaining popularity across multiple Middle Eastern countries. Founded in 2010 as a sub-brand of the BAIC Group, it is a state-owned brand and is currently the sixth-largest car maker in China.

BAIC in UAE has partnered with the Marwan Alshaali Group, which holds exclusive rights to retail BAIC cars. Among the BAIC SUVs, the much-loved models in the UAE include the BAIC BJ80, BJ40 C, BJ40 SE, BJ40 S, X7, F40, X55, BJ60, and X35.

JAC Motors

JAC Motors, officially known as Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., is an established Chinese car manufacturer founded in 1964. It is partially owned by a foreign entity and is one of the few Chinese brands with such ownership.

In the UAE, JAC Motors has partnered with the Al Habtoor Group, with Al Habtoor Motors serving as the exclusive distributor for JAC Motors in the region. JAC is a subsidiary of the JAG Group, with 50 percent ownership by Volkswagen and the remaining held by the Chinese government. JAC Motors offers the J7 sedan and the S3+ crossover, along with the JS4 SUV, in the UAE.

Changan Motors

Changan, a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Chongqing, boasts a rich history dating back to 1862. However, it wasn't until 1959 that Changan produced its first automobile. Aligning with the focus of many Chinese car manufacturers, Changan has dedicated itself to the production of electric vehicles, demonstrating a commitment to a sustainable future.

Changan in UAE offers a wide array of vehicles, with a strong emphasis on SUVs. Additionally, Changan presents the Eado Plus and UNI-V sedans as part of its lineup for the UAE market. When it comes to SUVs, Changan provides an impressive selection that includes the CS35 Plus, CS85, CS95, CS75 Plus, UNI-K, and UNI-T models.

Jetour Motors

Jetour is a subsidiary of Chery Automobile Co Ltd and is recognized as the ninth-largest car manufacturer in China. While Chery was established in 1997, Jetour emerged more recently as a brand specifically dedicated to producing crossovers and SUVs. The name "Jetour" itself is derived from a combination of "Jet" and "Tour."

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jetour has joined forces with The Elite Cars to obtain exclusive distribution rights. Notably, Jetour exclusively focuses on SUVs and currently offers a variety of SUV models for sale in the UAE. These models include the X70, X70 S, X70 FL, X70 Plus Comfort, X70 Plus Luxury, X90 Plus, and Dashing.

Although the names of the SUVs might sound like mere variations of a single vehicle, each model possesses distinct characteristics and sets itself apart from the others.

Hongqi

Often hailed as the Chinese Rolls-Royce, Hongqi is renowned for its production of luxurious cars. The name "Hongqi" translates to "Red flag" in Chinese, which is quite fitting. Originally crafted exclusively for high-ranking officials in the Chinese government, Hongqi vehicles exude prestige. Even China's president, Xi Jinping, is chauffeured in a Hongqi L5.

In the UAE, Hongqi has experienced a revival and is exclusively distributed by ALTAWKILAT. The brand has even launched a members club in the UAE to cater to its distinguished clientele.

The lineup of luxury sedans offered by Hongqi in the UAE includes the H5, H7, and H9. Additionally, Hongqi presents luxurious SUV models such as the HS5 and HS7. For those seeking electric vehicles, Hongqi provides the E-HS9 and E-QM5 in the UAE.

If you're in search of a luxury car in the UAE, there are both used and new Hongqi cars available.

Great Wall Motor

Great Wall Motor, the eighth-largest car manufacturer in China, has gained popularity in several international markets. Its subsidiaries, including Haval, Tank, Oer, and GWM, have expanded to numerous countries worldwide. In the UAE, Great Wall Motors has partnered with the Al Naboodah group for exclusive distributorship.

Currently, Great Wall Motor focuses on retailing pickup trucks in the UAE, offering models such as the Wingle 5, Wingle 7, and POER. If you're interested in purchasing a pickup truck, both used and new Great Wall Motor cars are available in the UAE.

BYD

BYD Auto, the automotive subsidiary of BYD Company, operates under the motto "Build Your Dreams." Based in China, BYD is solely dedicated to electric mobility, aligning well with the emphasis on e-Mobility in the UAE. Known for producing aesthetically pleasing vehicles, BYD has established itself as a significant player in the Chinese automotive industry.

In addition to manufacturing electric cars, BYD also produces modern buses and trucks. In 2022, BYD surpassed even Tesla to become the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles globally, selling over a million EVs.

With an impressive lineup that includes the Atto 3, Han, Tang, and e6, BYD is poised for unprecedented growth in the UAE.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Chinese automotive industry has experienced remarkable growth over the years, and Chinese car brands have established a strong presence in the UAE. Initially faced with skepticism regarding their quality, Chinese cars have proven themselves to be reliable and affordable options for consumers. The top 10 Chinese car brands in the UAE offer a diverse range of vehicles, catering to different preferences and needs.