Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility, the dealership of the automaker BYD for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market, said this week that the Chinese giant will deploy 200 fully electric taxis in Dubai.
The launch will be carried out in partnership with Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), featuring BYD’s premium sedan, the Seal, as the vehicle of choice.
By the end of last year, DTC’s fleet included more than 9,400 vehicles (of which “around 6,000” were taxis) and over 18,000 driver partners. By 2040, the company expects to convert its entire fleet to electric vehicles.
According to DTC’s CEO, Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, “over 86%” of the company’s fleet is “environmentally friendly” — without disclosing the percentage of fully electric vehicles.
The initiative supports the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Net Zero Vision by 2050.
BYD in Dubai
In 2024, the brand’s market share jumped to nearly 7%, according to the Middle East Automotive Council, nearly doubling units sold in 2023 — with a 86% increase.
The brand is currently selling its Han, Seal and Qin Plus sedans and its SealLion 7, Atto 3 and Song Plus SUVs. The SEAL model, which will be used for the taxi fleet, is currently priced from AED 149,900 ($40,500).
The Shenzhen-based company aims to sell 10,000 vehicles in the UAE this year, targeting a 2 to 3% market share, while expanding its dealership network.
Last month, BYD launched four electric commercial vehicles in the UAE for delivery and public transportation, as a collaboration with AFEMC. The two companies have been cooperating in Dubai since late 2023.
Shanghai Auto Show
On Wednesday, at the start of the Shanghai Auto Show, BYD unveiled five new models from its Ocean series, which are set to launch globally in the third quarter of this year.
In addition to the Ocean-S concept car — which the brand is calling its flagship sedan on the Ocean series — BYD also announced the upcoming launch of the SeaLion 06 SUV later this quarter.
The SeaLion 06 will be available in two versions: a fully electric model (SeaLion 06 EV) and a plug-in hybrid variant (SeaLion 06 DM-i).
BYD Seal 06, a mid-size sedan, and BYD Seal 06 DM-i Travel Edition, a hybrid wagon, will both be launched later this quarter.
BYD‘s sub-brand Yangwang also unveiled its new premium SUV, the U8L, a larger version of its U8 off-road. The vehicle will be launched in the second half of the year, with prices yet to be known.
Denza, which recently announced its expansion into Europe during Milan Design Week, debuted at the Auto Show with the unveiling of its concept sports car, the Denza Z.
