On December 10th, at the BRIDGE Summit, Cartea invited Mr. Lucas Bellieud from Al-Futtaim to an exclusive interview. The interview focused on discussions regarding BYDEgypt BYDKSA BYDUAE BYDKuwait BYDQatar BYDOman BYDBahrain BYD's market sales performance in the UAE, consumers' preferences for electric vehicles, future layout plans, and other related topics. The following is the interview record:

Q1：First, regarding Al-Futtaim Automotive’s diverse portfolio of brands, which segments currently show strong consumer demand here in the UAE?

Actually, what we’re seeing in the UAE is very similar to trends in the global automotive sector—the growth of SUVs. Customers really appreciate this new concept of vehicles, which offer more space, greater roominess, and higher ground clearance. This is definitely a key trend we’re experiencing here in the UAE.

Q2：What other general trends have you observed in UAE customers’ preferences?

As I mentioned, SUVs are clearly popular, but we’re also seeing a shift toward more sustainable mobility— a trend we’ve witnessed in other regions too. Our customers want to enjoy the pleasure of driving and the overall experience without compromising on being more responsible and sustainable for the future, with a lower carbon footprint.

Q3：Chinese brand new car sales have risen in the UAE. From your perspective, what strengths differentiate BYD from other brands?

BYD is the world’s number one brand for new energy vehicles, so we have a very strong global presence—and we’re gaining significant traction here in the region too. We’re extremely confident that BYD will be a key player in this journey toward more sustainable mobility.

Q4：What technical adaptations have BYD models—such as those equipped with the Blade Battery—undergone to handle extreme conditions like high temperatures and sandstorms in the Middle East? What role has Al-Futtaim played in supporting BYD with local testing and validation?

We take this very seriously. At BYD and Al-Futtaim, we want to ensure that all the cars we sell here are 100% suited to the regional context. We all know the region has hot conditions—very hot summers and harsh environments. That’s why we ensure all vehicles sold here are what we call “GCC-proof.” This means they undergo rigorous testing by both BYD and Al-Futtaim teams to guarantee zero compromise on quality and overall performance for daily use, even during the region’s extremely hot summers.

Q5:What initiatives has Al-Futtaim undertaken to build consumer confidence in BYD—such as awareness programs, customer education, or ownership support offerings?

I think it all comes down to trust—trust in the brand and our partnership. BYD is the most technologically advanced company in the automotive sector, and we’re fully confident that we’re distributing exceptional products. Just as a reminder, BYD has over 120,000 engineers working on its vehicles—definitely a world leader in the field. Beyond the product itself, the customer experience must be seamless. As BYD’s official distributor here in the UAE, Al-Futtaim ensures that every customer’s experience is of the highest standard. We accompany them on their sustainable journey, making sure everything goes smoothly with no issues.

Q6：As a major automotive player in the region, what industry challenges related to infotainment and electric mobility has Al-Futtaim faced, and how has it adapted to maintain growth and customer relevance?

Our key focus is to accompany customers on their mobility journey. More and more customers are expressing a desire to be more sustainable, but we know there are two key challenges to address: first, range anxiety. Many customers want to switch to pure electric vehicles, but they ask, “Do I have enough range for my daily commute?” Second, charging time—people don’t want their travel to be disrupted by long charging stops. We’ve introduced very important and breakthrough solutions for both.

First, regarding the charging ecosystem, we have a company called Charge2MOOV within the Al-Futtaim Group, which is installing charging stations across the country. Second, three months ago, we announced with our partner BYD that we will install “super fast chargers” in the UAE—an incredibly innovative technology that allows customers to get up to 400 kilometers of range in just five minutes. This is definitely a game-changer. It eliminates all range anxiety: you can commute anywhere you want, and if you need more range, you get 400 kilometers in just five minutes. Problem solved. We’re going to launch this very soon.

Q7：What motivated the establishment of a dedicated full-time electric mobility division, and how does it support the group’s transition toward future mobility?

We take the UAE government’s clear and ambitious vision for sustainable mobility very seriously—just as we do in many other areas. As the country’s leading automotive player, we want to be the leader in this transition. It’s a statement of our belief in sustainable mobility, and we aim to be number one in driving this change. That’s why the group created a dedicated electric mobility division—its sole purpose is to turn this vision into reality.

Q8：With BYD preparing to introduce its premium brand Yangwang in the Middle East, what factors will guide its success, particularly regarding brand positioning and customer expectations in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

We all know the region has a large customer base for luxury and ultra-premium cars. What’s great about the automotive industry here is that customers are truly passionate about cars—but with that passion comes high demands for both products and experiences. With the Yangwang U8Bahrain Yangwang U8Egypt Yangwang U8KSA Yangwang U8Kuwait Yangwang U8Oman Yangwang U8Qatar Yangwang U8UAE Yangwang U8, which we’ve just launched and are proud to exhibit here at the stand, we’re confident we’re showcasing the best of BYD’s technology. It’s an exceptional product in terms of technology, features, off-road capability, and power. But again, it’s not just about the product—it’s also about the customer experience. At Al-Futtaim, we’re ensuring that beyond this fantastic vehicle, we also offer a very luxurious, customized customer experience tailored to these target customers.

Q9: As BYD expands in the region, how is Al-Futtaim planning its network development for 2026 to ensure customers have convenient access to showrooms and high-quality after-sales support?

We have very bold plans. We already have a solid footprint, covering almost all the Emirates. Today, we have six showrooms and four after-sales facilities, providing a quite accessible network. But as we intend to significantly grow our sales volume, we will also increase our investments to ensure our products and services are available to customers everywhere in the country, whenever they need them. We have very strong and ambitious goals. For example, a couple of weeks ago, we inaugurated our flagship showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, featuring three brands from the group: BYD, DenzaKSA DenzaUAE DenzaBahrain DenzaEgypt DenzaKuwait DenzaOman DenzaQatar Denza, and YangwangUAE YangwangKSA YangwangKuwait YangwangQatar YangwangOman YangwangBahrain YangwangEgypt Yangwang. It’s a state-of-the-art showroom and a statement of our commitment to growing the brand and providing more sustainable mobility for UAE customers.

Q10: As the exclusive automotive media partner of this year’s Bridge Summit, how can Cartea’s cross-industry platform create engagement opportunities?

I think Cartea is a very interesting platform that brings novelty and freshness. Being the automotive partner here is a fantastic opportunity to bring people together—connecting automotive professionals, media representatives, digital players, and local leaders—so we can all collaborate to create something more impactful for the future.

Q11: And how do you view Cartea’s role in the region’s automotive media landscape? What forms of collaboration—such as reviews, data insights, or digital content—would you welcome?

The automotive landscape in the UAE is evolving rapidly: more players are entering the market, customer expectations are changing, and there’s a clear trend toward sustainable mobility. But we need to better understand what customers truly need every day. That’s where a platform like Cartea can play a vital role—providing powerful insights into customer expectations, trends, and data. We are very willing to partner and work together to gain a deeper understanding of the market.