Top 5 Chinese Car Brands in UAE

The rise of Chinese vehicles on the global automotive scene is truly remarkable. This is evident in the sheer growth of car brands like BYD, Geely, and MG in the UAE in recent years. More than a dozen Chinese car brands compete for customers in the UAE market, rivaling their Chinese counterparts and already established brands, like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, BMW, Audi, and more. While all Chinese brands promote innovative features for extremely cost-effective pricing, not all of them deliver as promised. So, which brands have capitalized on the UAE market the most? This article explores the top 5 Chinese car brands in the UAE, based on sales figures, market share, consumer demand, dealership presence, and brand perception, considering several automotive reviews, sales trends, and market analyses specific to the UAE. Let’s dive into the rankings:

Best Chinese car brands in the UAE:

• BYD

• Geely

• MG (Morris Garages)

• Haval

• Chery

1. BYD

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is the global leader in electric vehicles (EVs), having surpassed Tesla in 2022 in global NEV (BEV+PHEV) sales. It’s rapidly gaining popularity in the UAE as it focuses on green mobility, which perfectly aligns with the UAE’s net-zero Carbon goal in 2050. This company prioritizes a range of EVs—from modern buses and cars to even trucks. Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company, BYD's official distributor in the UAE, has reported over 1,000 BYD sales since its launch and anticipates a sevenfold year-on-year sales growth, indicating strong consumer demand and a rapidly expanding market share. Dubizzle's 2024 market trend analysis also placed BYD as the second most popular pre-owned EV brand in the UAE, further solidifying its presence.

While its rise in the UAE’s automotive market is steady, BYD's strategic expansion of its dealership network, including new showrooms on Sheikh Zayed Road, and its strong brand perception, as evidenced by positive media coverage where it contributed 41% of all positive coverage on Chinese brands, suggest it is poised to become a dominant force in the Middle Eastern market in the coming years. As the cleaner and greener mobility trend gains momentum, the growth of brands like Tesla and BYD is imminent in the world, especially in the Emirates, which aims to become the global leader in sustainable mobility in the future.

BYD’s innovative Blade Battery technology and cutting-edge innovation beautifully complement its vehicles' luxury and status. With all current models, all well-known for their modern designs and affordability, this Chinese brand has a strong foothold in the UAE market. This perfectly resonates with models like the BYD Song Plus, BYD Tang, and BYD Han gaining popularity among consumers seeking a balance of advanced technology, environmental friendliness, and competitive pricing.

Top BYD models in the UAE’s car market:

• BYD Song Plus (Plug-in Hybrid SUV)

• BYD Han (Fully Electric Sedan)

• BYD Atto 3 (Fully Electric SUV)

• BYD Seal (Fully Electric Sedan)

• BYD Qin Plus (Plug-in Hybrid Sedan)

• BYD Seal 7 (Plug-in Hybrid Sedan)

• BYD Sealion 7 (Fully Electric SUV)

2. Geely

Geely Auto Group, a Fortune Global 500 company, is rapidly cementing its position as one of the leading Chinese automotive brands in the Emirates. Leveraging its diverse portfolio, including Geely Auto, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr, Geely achieves significant market penetration. According to industry reports, Geely posted excellent scores in the UAE during Q1 2025, with sales growth of 31.1% year-on-year. This remarkable growth highlights the increasing consumer demand for Geely's competitively priced vehicles, offering a compelling blend of features, technology, and design.

The brand's success in the UAE competitive market is a result of its strategic expansion and strong dealership presence. Geely's official distributor—AGMC—has been instrumental in this growth, expanding Geely's footprint to five showrooms across Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi, including a new flagship showroom opened in Abu Dhabi in January 2025. This robust network, combined with its sustained sales performance, positions it as one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the Emirates.

Automotive enthusiasts praise Geely's vehicles for their value for money, comfortable interiors, and reliability. With the brand actively focusing on hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in the GCC market, it aims to meet evolving consumer preferences. Geely's commitment to high-quality production and customer experience significantly boosts its brand perception in the competitive UAE market.

Top Geely models in the UAE’s car market:

• Geely Coolray (Compact SUV)

• Geely Emgrand (Sedan)

• Geely Monjaro (Premium SUV)

• Geely Starray (SUV)

• Geely Okavango (Seven-seater SUV)

• Geely Tugella (SUV Coupe)

• Geely Preface (Sedan)

• Geely Geometry C (Fully Electric Crossover)

3. MG (Morris Garages)

MG Motor is a British-born brand under SAIC Motor (a Chinese Company). It is one of the Chinese car brands in the UAE that rapidly cemented its position among leaders, like BYD and Geely. MG offers a varied range of sedans, SUVs, and EVs that masterfully combine stylish design, the latest tech features, and premium luxury for extremely competitive pricing. In 2024, MG Motor Middle East achieved record sales of 70,033 vehicles across the region (+10% YoY), with the UAE contributing 12,900 sales (+29% over 2023).

The brand's success thrives on strategic expansion and a robust dealership network through Inter Emirates Motors (IEM)—its official UAE distributor. IEM operates showrooms across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah. This network, combined with the continuous introduction of new models like the 2025 MG HS and MG ZS, plays a crucial role in boosting MG's market presence in the Emirates.

MG lives by the common rule of Chinese vehicles in the UAE— praised for their value, modern aesthetics, and safety features. Top-quality production and after-sales support enhance the brand’s perception & reach each day. SAIC Motor's global investment in New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) will boost MG’s presence in the country.

Top MG models in the UAE’s car market:

• MG 5 (Compact Sedan)

• MG ZS (Compact SUV)

• MG GT (Sporty Sedan)

• MG HS (Compact SUV)

• MG RX5 (Compact SUV)

• MG RX8 (Seven-seater SUV)

• MG 7 (Mid-size Sedan)

• MG Whale (Mid-size Coupe SUV)

• MG 4 Electric (EV Hatchback)

4. Haval

Haval is one of the top Chinese SUV-only brands under Great Wall Motors. These vehicles are well-known for their durability, cutting-edge features, premium luxury, and competitive pricing structures. In 2024, Haval contributed significantly to GWM's global sales of 1.23 million vehicles, with international sales reaching 453,141 units (+43.39% YoY). The strategic focus on the SUV segment has worked out for the brand, as the popularity of SUVs in the Emirates is immense.

Al Naboodah Group (Swaidan Trading)—Haval’s official distribution partner for the Emirates plays a vital role in its popularity. They maintain a comprehensive network of showrooms and service centers across key Emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Fujairah, ensuring widespread accessibility and dedicated customer support. Haval's current and innovative SUV initiatives resonate well with car buyers in the Emirates.

Haval's customers praise the brand's offering, from technological innovation to its blend of features and value. The brand notably addresses the UAE’s extreme temperatures with vehicles engineered for 50+°C heat, further impressing buyers, especially with the available hybrid SUV options. Haval’s commitment to quality production and customer experience consistently enhances its brand perception.

Top Haval models in the UAE’s car market:

• Haval H6 (Mid-size SUV, including Hybrid)

• Haval Jolion (Compact SUV, including Pro)

• Haval Dargo (Off-road capable SUV)

• Haval H9 (Full-size SUV)

• Haval H6 GT (SUV Coupe)

5. Chery

Chery entered the UAE’s automotive scene in October 2023 and has successfully established itself as one of the leading brands already, competing with the likes of BYD and MG. This Chinese brand offers a range of sedans and SUVs that combine stylish designs, the latest tech features, and competitive pricing. As of Q1 2025, Chery UAE had sold over 2,000 cars in the UAE, with the luxury SUV Tiggo 8 gaining significant appeal. Globally, Chery Group reported record-breaking sales of 2.60 million cars in 2024 (+38.4% YoY) and 620,025 vehicles in Q1 2025 (+17.1% YoY).

Chery's Emirate success is the result of its strategic partnership with AW Rostamani Group. Rostamani has been instrumental in Chery's rapid growth in the UAE’s competitive market. The brand’s undeniable local presence, combined with strong sales and high customer satisfaction, contributed to Chery UAE receiving multiple prestigious awards from Chery International in May 2025, including Best Dealer and Full-Star Outstanding Dealer.

UAE car enthusiasts recognize Chery vehicles for their value for money, modern features, and reliability. The comfortable interiors and advanced driver-assistance systems are their staples. With the brand's commitment to innovation and its global push in New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) from its sub-brands like Exeed and Jetour, further positions it to meet evolving market demands for sustainable and intelligent mobility in the UAE.

Top Chery models in the UAE’s car market:

• Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (Compact SUV)

• Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max (Mid-size SUV)

• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max (Full-size SUV)

• Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV SUV)

• Chery Tiggo 9 (Flagship SUV)

Disclaimer; Exact sales figures are not publicly disclosed for all brands, but this ranking reflects market trends, with BYD, Geely, and MG leading due to higher sales and broader appeal, followed by Haval and Chery for their SUV focus.

Some Honourable Mentions

• Nio

• Exeed

• Jetour

• Changan

• BAIC Motor

• GAC Motor

• Avatr

Final Thoughts

Chinese brands collectively hold an estimated 8–14% of the UAE automotive market, a remarkable achievement given their relatively recent entry. With time and the UAE’s initiative for a greener future, these brands, especially those focusing on EV technologies, are poised to prevail in the market for a long time. While BYD, MG, Geely, Haval, and Chery currently lead the UAE market within the Chinese segment, other brands are emerging as strong contenders. Competitive pricing, compelling features, robust EV frameworks, and a commitment to delivering consistent and reliable performance are proving to be key factors for market leadership, as exemplified by BYD. While the aforementioned brands are current chart toppers, several other Chinese brands, such as Changan, Jetour, and Avatr, are closely following, demonstrating the segment's dynamic growth.