With the launch of the new Hyundai Azera in UAE, we believe that It is a game changer on the regional level as well as a game changer in the UAE market we believe that Hyundai is changing fast and growing fast globally and that has to be reflected as well in the local markets, among which is the UAE market, so we sat down with Mr. Suliman Al Zaben Director - Hyundai & Genesis UAE to look into the Future of Hyundai in UAE.
Q: Congratulations on the Hyundai Azera, the car talks about itself. When we were in Munich last February, we saw a lot of new cars and major changes in others. The lineup is growing and growing fast, as a UAE dealer what are doing to cope with this growth?
A: if we want to talk about the UAE market, for the last 4 years, and after Covid we presented Hyundai differently in the UAE market, we are now talking about a total mobility smart solution provider, and the new features in the Azera help reflect that perfectly.
Q: what do you mean by Total Mobility Smart Solution Provider?
A: We just signed lots of agreements with lots of public authorities to create the first smart AI mobility lab, and now currently we have presented the first smart Taxi not just in UAE but also globally, and now we are in the testing phase with RTA.
Q: When you talk about smart taxis, are they fleet services or autonomous driving?
A: we are talking about driver status monitoring, lost, and found AI solutions, cameras integrated inside the car, smart school buses, and smart police patrols, we are now selling solutions and not just products
Q: what about new showrooms and service centers for Hyundai UAE?
A: We are proudly covering all of UAE and not just Dubai from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah which is the biggest among the UAE to Al Ain to Sharjah and some are the biggest in the region recently we opened a dedicated showroom for Genesis and the 2nd Showroom for Genesis is also coming before the end of the year and the 3rd is before the first half of 2024, we are covering geographically everywhere.
Q: What about the demand?
A: there’s a high demand for our products and I know you guys are always talking about the shortage in supply, still all manufacturers are still struggling in this, but we will overcome it by the end of 2023
Q: we talked a lot today about BEV, however, we don’t see many fully electric cars for Hyundai on the UAE roads, what are the plans and strategies to get that running even when we talk about Dubai which is the most advanced city in EV infrastructure in the region, we are still not ready?
A: let’s split this into two parts, as Hyundai from a quality perspective and design perspective we are ready and now since we cannot compromise on safety, we have lots of safety features so there has been a lot of intensive testing specifically for the region before launching the EV cars to make sure that it fits our environment, the major challenges in our region are heat, humidity and dust so we wanted to make sure that the cars are properly calibrated and tested for these so it gives you the right mileage, range and everything else. And as Hyundai, we are considered the first company who brought the GCC specs for their own EV line. As for the infrastructure, Dubai is the most advanced but still not sufficient and there are a lot of projects being developed by DEWA to make this happen.
Q: As for Hyundai UAE are you involved in such projects?
A: In one way or another, Yes. We are developing our own charging solutions inside our showrooms, and our facilities and that was years ago and now we are developing it, and the coverage in our own facilities all over UAE to cater to our customers’ needs.
Q: I have a question about the Azera, as in the previous interview we talked a lot about it but it is still not announced, what would be the pricing in UAE markets?
A: Well, it will depend on the features and market needs but soon we will announce all details
Q: for the trims, in the UAE will we be getting the 1.6L turbo hybrid or just the V6?
A: all engine options and all trims will be available in the UAE even the Calligraphy as for the 1.6L hybrid and in line with the UAE sustainability vision of COP 28 we would like to always present solutions that will help the environment.
Q: we talked a lot about Hydrogen cars with top Hyundai executives, will we be seeing any Hydrogen Hyundai vehicles on the road in UAE soon?
A: Yes, but I cannot disclose more we promise you great things on this topic so stay tuned.
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With more than 15 years of Auto Journalism, Nabil has lead and founded several print auto magazines as well as Digital Auto Magazines throughout the years. He was the editor in chief for the best automotive websites in the region and presented lots of YouTube videos on multuple channels and TV.
And most importantly he has an unprecedented passion for cars since he was born.
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