In March this year, Chinese firm Geely announced that it had onboarded AGMC as its official dealer partner for the UAE. Also, it confirmed that the first dealership will open in May 2023. Well, it has! The dedicated showroom and after-sales outlet is now open at Al-Ittihad Road, Dubai. Spread over two floors, the facility has multiple lounge areas and F&B offerings. And besides having a separate space for after-sales jobs, there’s a display area for three cars Geely will start the innings with – the Geometry C EV, Coolrey SUV and Emgrand sedan.

Alfa Romeo has launched its latest models, the New Giulia, New Stelvio, and Tonale, in the Middle East. The Tonale is the latest all-new model to get launched by the Italian brand, with the same being offered in two trims in the GCC region – Ti and Veloce. Customers will have the opportunity to pre-book their Tonale from June 15, 2023, with the car scheduled to arrive in-market from July. The new Giulia and Stelvio models come equipped with the “3+3” light setup and Next-Generation Family Technology boasting the latest in infotainment software and intuitive controls from the Alfa Romeo brand. Jo Moursi, Head of Italian Brands, Middle East Stellantis, said, “The launch of Alfa Romeo’s Giulia, Stelvio, and Tonale in the GCC marks a significant milestone for automotive enthusiasts in the region. The GCC is a crucial market for Alfa Romeo, where automotive excellence is valued, Italian brands are cherished, and the passion for motorsports runs deep. Alfa Romeo’s rich motorsport heritage, including Formula 1, resonates powerfully with drivers in the region.”

Following the release of the Gran Turismo movie trailer, which is based on his gamer-to-racer true story of Jann Mardenborough, the racing driver managed by Motors Formula Team announced his partnership with HELM Motorsports for the upcoming Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji set to be held on May 25-28, 2023. Mardenborough, who won the Nissan GT Academy in 2011, has already raced several times at Fuji in various racing series, including the Japanese F3, Super Formula and GT300/500. He will team up with HELM Motorsports, the defending champions of last year’s Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji, with this partnership expected to be a strong contender for the top spot. Ludovic PEZE, founder of Motors Formula Team, expressed his excitement about Mardenborough’s new partnership: “We are thrilled to see Jann team up with HELM Motorsports for the Supertaikyu 24 Hours of Fuji. We have decided to work with Jann because he is a pure racer, and we believe that his partnership with HELM Motorsports will be a winning combination thanks to his huge experience in GT3 and Japanese races.”

The Spectre, Rolls Royce’s first-ever EV, was unveiled in Doha. “We’ve commemorated the official debut of Spectre, the first-ever ultra-luxury electric super coupé, at the newly inaugurated Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha showroom, signifying the beginning of a new era in the history of our great marque. This consolidates Rolls-Royce’s position as a true house of luxury,” said César Habib, Regional Director Middle East & Africa, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The brand claims first customer cars will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2023. 

Barq. That’s what the new team member is being called at Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi. The key responsibility area for this test pilot is to break new records for Porsche at the Yas Marina Circuit. Barq, derived from the Arabic word for lightning, will drive a range of performance-oriented Porsches, including the 911 GT3, Cayenne Turbo GT, Macan, 718 GT4 RS, Panamera GTS and the Taycan Turbo.