UAE EVs: General Motors is rushing in with new models - and pricing options for all

Dubai: General Motors will make a rush into the UAE and Gulf’s market for electric vehicles with a line-up that would cater to buyers’ preference for multiple price points.

That means while there will be Cadillac’s first compact SUV EV in the form of Optiq and top-of-the-line Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL. And there will also be the Chevrolet Spark EUC, which GM will promote as the entry level EV to its line-up.

The US manufacturer will also have mid-range options such as the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

The rollout of the models, and especially the pricing options, will come in handy as more buyers in the GCC make up their minds on whether they should buy an EV. Currently, Chinese brands have made major inroads even as Tesla retains a front-runner status. At the premium end of the EV markets, the likes of Lucid and Nio are the ones to look out for.

To back its expanded line up, General Motors is embedding a turnkey home charging unit and battery technology ‘that gives customers real-time data through their vehicle mobile apps’.

“Once activated this includes EV target charge level, stop-charge commands, and a smarter, more intuitive location experience to find electric charging stations seamlessly,” according to General Motors.

“We’re accelerating our electric vehicle rollout with new models arriving at an impressive pace,” said Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director, GM Africa and Middle East.

“This is our goal toward zero tailpipe emissions as well as zero crashes as we bring technologies that reduce human error, thereby, preventing road accidents.

“Together, with our industry-first true hands-free Super Cruise technology, we are envisioning a future where our roads and vehicles are much safer, and cities are less congested to give customers back precious time.”

GM’s plan also has lots of space for its fuel-powered models. And Uppal has a ready answer for that – “Our customers will ultimately define the pace of the transition.

“More than ever, we are committed to building and bringing world-class products our customers love, honoring our 99 years legacy in this region.”

General Motors will bring out the ‘Super Cruise’ - which it says is a ‘true’ hands-free driving technology for the highways - to the GCC.

“Super Cruise requires a combination of cameras, radars, GPS and high-definition LiDAR maps to keep the vehicle centered in the lane while providing a hands-free driving experience,” said the carmaker.

“GM is the first to obtain the licenses required to commence digital LiDAR mapping across the region to ready Middle Eastern roads for GM’s 2026 range of models equipped with Super Cruise.”

OnStar is GM’s own in-vehicle connectivity technology and is offered across all its vehicles in connected markets.

“Connectivity is essential for Super Cruise, ensuring that drivers have access to real-time communication and assistance that enable the safest hands-free driving experience ever,” GM added.