GM’s SUVs reflect aspirations of a changing Middle East amid strong Q3 sales

General Motors continues to be a dominant player in the full-size SUV landscape in the Middle East, powered by its world-class vehicles from Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac, as well as a growing base of youth, recording a rise of 28% year-over-year (YoY) in third quarter sales compared to 2024.

Reinforcing GM’s influence in the region’s evolving mobility market, this growth is bolstered by GM’s full-size SUV lineup comprising the bold Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Suburban, the capable GMC Yukon, and iconic Cadillac Escalade. Emphasizing the region’s dynamic appetite for powerful, premium and tech-forward vehicles, in September 2025, GM Middle East’s top growth markets were Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.

Furthermore, the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction goes beyond the showroom. GM Middle East continues to witness consistent growth in repeat aftersales customers with a 33% rise over the last 5 years, indicating trust and loyalty among our customers. In fact, GM Middle East stocks hundreds of thousands of spare parts, sourcing for the entire Africa and Middle East region through its global network of suppliers. Surpassing industry benchmarks, GM supports regional dealerships with a fill-rate above 95% for fast-moving parts, year after year. This operational excellence ensures GM customers across the Middle East experience minimal downtime and maximum confidence.

GM has also rolled out over-the-air (OTA) vehicle software updates—powered by its in-vehicle pioneering connected technology OnStar—across connected markets in the GCC*. This marks a major step in GM’s digital evolution, enabling seamless software enhancements and connected services for customers.

Beyond product and tech, GM’s deep understanding of the regional market is driving success across multiple consumer segments, where evolving demographics are reshaping ownership trends. Traditional dominance by GCC nationals continues to grow with rising interest from Asian expatriates choosing GM’s full-size SUVs as symbols of success and lifestyle elevation. In addition, female ownership is growing, especially in the UAE and Qatar. Plus, a generational shift is happening with customers aged 20 to 29 emerging as a powerful force in the market, especially for models like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade. 

Commenting on these major milestones Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director for GM Africa and Middle East said: " Driven by a new generation of customers and a bold shift in mobility expectations, our full-sized SUVs from Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac reflect the progressive identity of the Middle East and tech-focused vision. Meanwhile, the growing influence of expatriate customers on our iconic brands signals a shift in regional dynamics, and a demand for powerful, premium, and connected vehicles. Moreover, with innovations like Super Cruise coming soon to the region, GM remains focused on bringing meaningful, customer-driven technology to market and leading the way in advanced driver assistance and personal autonomous capabilities."

Model Highlights: Tailored Appeal Across Segments

•    Chevrolet Tahoe is gaining momentum among younger Saudis and remains a favorite among Emiratis, reflecting its deep-rooted brand loyalty and multi-generational appeal.
•    GMC Yukon continues to resonate with middle-aged South Asian buyers in Saudi Arabia while maintaining strong appeal among GCC nationals, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted and versatile choice.
•    Cadillac Escalade is expanding its reach with a diverse ownership base that includes Indians, Pakistanis, British, and wider Middle Eastern buyers. Its premium positioning is striking a chord with younger Saudis and Qataris, who are embracing luxury with confidence and pride.

The evolving ownership landscape in the Middle East marks a pivotal moment for the brand. Strong repeat ownership, rising appeal among expatriate communities, and growing female engagement all point to a deepening connection with Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac. 

Looking ahead, GM Middle East is on track to launch a diverse range vehicles across all propulsions. For Chevrolet, this includes the new Captiva, and the upcoming Captiva EV/PHEV family, as well as performance icons like the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X. Cadillac will expand its luxury EV offering with the highly anticipated VISTIQ, the ESCALADE IQ, and the ultra-luxury CELESTIQ—each a testament to GM’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
* OnStar Connected Services is available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain. 

About General Motors Africa & Middle East Operations

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. 

The GM Africa & Middle East operations have been in the region for close to 100 years, now headquartered in Dubai, UAE with a manufacturing plant in Egypt. We represent Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac across the region. With a network of 17 distributors serving 29 countries, the organization has over 203 customer-facing rooftops to cater to countries in Africa, Levant, the GCC and other Middle Eastern countries. For more information, please visit www.gmarabia.com.