Interview

Voyah

Interview: Mohamed Elzawawy on VOYAH’s Premium EV Strategy in the UAE

As the UAE accelerates toward an electrified future, new-energy brands are entering the market with increasingly sophisticated strategies tailored to regional expectations. Among them is VOYAH, positioning itself as a premium player that blends electric innovation with long-distance practicality, a key consideration for UAE drivers.

DriveArabia sat down with Mohamed Elzawawy, General Manager of Performance Plus Motors, to discuss VOYAH’s growing lineup, the brand’s extended-range electric technology, and how its ownership model is being structured to build long-term customer confidence. From product strategy to aftersales support, the conversation sheds light on how VOYAH aims to establish itself as a serious contender in the UAE’s evolving premium mobility landscape.

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GWM Sunny Bhatt

Interview: Sunny Bhat on GWM’s Middle East Strategy, the Tank 700’s Strong Start, and What’s Coming Next

With the Tank 700 now making its mark across the Middle East, GWM is clearly stepping up its ambitions in one of the world’s most demanding automotive regions. From premium off-road capability and real-world desert performance to advanced hybrid technology and long-term brand building, the Chinese manufacturer is sharpening its focus on what regional customers truly want. We sat down with Sunny Bhat, Director of Sales and Marketing at GWM Middle East, to discuss the early response to the Tank 700, how customer feedback is shaping future products, the brand’s presence at the 2026 Liwa International Festival,

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SOUEAST Dubai showroom

Positioned for Growth: Elie Nehme on SOUEAST’s Long-Term Vision for the UAE

As SOUEAST officially entered the UAE market in 2025, the brand is positioning itself as a value-driven yet technology-focused contender in the country’s highly competitive SUV segment. With a growing lineup that includes petrol and plug-in hybrid models, along with a clear emphasis on modern design and advanced features, SOUEAST has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the region.

We spoke to Elie Nehme, Senior General Manager of SOUEAST UAE, to discuss the brand’s identity and long-term vision, the models most relevant to local buyers, the role of electrified mobility, and how SOUEAST plans to build a strong presence in a market dominated by established players.

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Suzuki Jimny ART Edition

Interview with Sacha Askidjian on Suzuki, Community and the Jimny ART Edition

As Suzuki introduces the Jimny ART Edition exclusively for the UAE, DriveArabia speaks with Sacha Askidjian, General Manager of Al Rostamani Trading Company, to understand the thinking behind this locally inspired special edition. In this interview, Askidjian discusses how the ART Edition reflects UAE car culture, the evolving lifestyle of Jimny owners in the Emirates, and how community, creativity and heritage play a key role in Suzuki’s continued success in the region.

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Cooper Tire adds new management staff for GCC expansion plans

Cooper Tire adds new management staff for GCC expansion plans

Century-old American tyre-maker Cooper Tire is currently keen to take a bigger share of the Middle East pie when it comes to tyres, especially in the last two years. With rivals such as Continental Tires setting up a regional office in Dubai a couple of years ago, following both Michelin and Bridgestone, it seems our region is finally being taken seriously. We recently had a chat with Luis Ceneviz, who is the Cooper Tire managing director for EMEA and Latin American markets, alongside regional sales director Christophe Huss, regional marketing director Michiel Kramer and the European Technical Center’s general manager Gavin Richards.

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Interview: Takayuki Yoshitsugu -- Toyota

Interview: Takayuki Yoshitsugu — Toyota

Audio interview with Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative for Toyota Middle East & North Africa, who took over the top job at Toyota’s local office recently. Topics include local Toyota sales figures, huge growth in Lexus sales, upcoming fuel-cell production cars, the fate of the FJ Cruiser and Land Cruiser, the new Camry, and possible future sports cars in partnership with BMW, as well as an admission that their cars were boring and how they are changing that.

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Interview: Keiichi Yoneda - Toyota

Interview: Keiichi Yoneda – Toyota

Video interview with Keiichi Yoneda, Deputy Chief Engineer for the 2012 Camry in the Product Planning Group at Toyota in Japan. Topics include development of the Toyota Camry, concessions made for the GCC version, and how it stacks up compared to the competition.

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Interview: Simon Frith - Al Futtaim Motors Toyota

Interview: Simon Frith – Al Futtaim Motors Toyota


Casual video interview with Simon Frith, the Managing Director of Al Futtaim Motors, the UAE dealer for Toyota. Topics include the Toyota Zelas launch during the 2010 Abu Dhabi Motor Show, the FT-86 launch date, the rising prices, the best sellers and the surprising sales figures for the Toyota Land Cruiser range.

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