As the largest auto manufacturer in China, SAIC Motor also ranked seventh among all the global automakers, ahead of brands like BMW and Hyundai. In the face of a changing automotive market, SAIC Motor is actively focused on developing new energy vehicles, connected cars and intelligent driving, all helping to promote the brand’s global footprint.
SAIC is already well established globally with sales networks in 15 core countries and regions including ASEAN, Africa, Europe and North America where it has an innovation centre in Silicon Valley. As part of this global focus, SAIC has been expanding its presence in the Middle East. Since opening its headquarters in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone in November 2015, the brand has also opened a regional training academy and introduced the new MG 360 to the market with further launches set for the remainder of 2017.
As a leading automotive manufacturer with the ability to develop plug-in hybrid, pure electric, and fuel cell technology vehicles at the same time, SAIC Motor’s three core technologies -electric drive, battery, and electronic control – have achieved world-class status within the automotive sector.
In the first half of 2017, SAIC Motor launched the Roewe RX5, the world’s first pure electric SUV with an impressive range of 425km and a fast charge to 80% power in 40 minutes. Additionally, the Roewe “VISION-E” made its first appearance at the Shanghai International Auto Show, delivering a pure electric driving range of more than 500km and acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in only four seconds.
The sales volume of connected cars accounts for about 80% of the total sales volume of SAIC Motor passenger vehicles. These sales come from the MG ZS, which is set to arrive in the Middle East later in 2017, the Roewe RX5 and the Roewe i6.
Commenting on the news, Tom Lee, Middle East Managing Director, said: “The Middle East is a very forward-thinking region, and SAIC Motor’s ranking on this year’s Fortune 500 List reflects our forward-thinking approach as a brand. In the future, SAIC Motor will continue to develop new energy vehicles, Internet-connected cars and intelligent driving cars, enhancing our global and Middle East footprint as we continue to focus on being a world leader in innovation and a pioneer for the future of the automotive sector.’’
In June this year, SAIC Motor joined China Mobile and Huawei, leaders in the communication industry, to promote the development of new technology around connected vehicles and to seize the opportunity to develop intelligent mobility. To date, SAIC Motor has also completed the development of two generations of intelligent drive vehicle platforms, integrated the connected vehicle platform with 5G communication technology, and studied self-driving technologies, reaching an accumulative vehicle test mileage of more than 36,000km.
The design looks pretty cool!