The UAE combines a wealthy domestic market with Dubai’s role as the region’s trading hub — many Chinese brands stage their Middle East entry, flagship showrooms and regional distribution here.

Wealthy market, regional hub

The UAE pairs a high-spending domestic market with Dubai's role as the Middle East's trading and re-export hub, making it the launchpad many Chinese brands use to stage their regional entry, flagship showrooms and distribution. The overall market grew about 5.3% to roughly 335,800 vehicles in 2025, with Toyota still firmly in front — but the story underneath was Chinese share gains.

Jetour's breakout

Jetour was the standout, jumping about 82% year on year to become the UAE's #4 brand overall and overtaking MG as the best-selling Chinese marque; its T2 SUV rose to the #3 model nationally — the first Chinese model to crack the overall top three. MG held a top-five position (up about 10%), and Geely leapt from #12 to #6 (up about 48%). Chery continued to grow with the Tiggo range. On EVs — around 8% of the market and growing over 26% in 2025 — Tesla leads, but BYD is the top Chinese EV brand and roughly tripled its sales. Typical models include the Jetour T2 and Dashing, MG ZS and MG5, Geely Coolray, Emgrand and Starray, Chery Tiggo 4/7/8, and the BYD Atto 3, Seal, Dolphin and Han.

Policy and structure

The UAE is an import and re-export market, not an assembly base — there is no local Chinese production. ICE vehicles carry the standard 5% GCC customs duty plus 5% VAT, while fully electric vehicles have benefited from duty and VAT relief (status beyond end-2025 should be checked). As US and EU tariffs redirect Chinese EVs, the Gulf — and Dubai in particular — has become a natural outlet, and Chinese-brand resilience showed in early 2026 when Jetour kept growing even as the overall market fell.

Figures are 2025 full-year unless noted (sources: local registration trackers, company releases).

Latest coverage

Market-specific coverage of UAE is ramping up. Browse all news →

← All markets