Author: Ola Salem
The 82,495 square feet location is set to be complete in early 2026, and will feature open sales area, VIP lounge and service reception.
United Arab Emirates
07/11/2024
Cadillac Arabia and Al Ghandi Auto have officially broken ground on a new experience center located on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street at the junction of Dhafeer Streetin the UAE capital. Set to elevate Cadillac’s presence in the market, Al Ghandi Auto’s Cadillac Experience Center has received a 47 million Dirham investment, and will offer an open sales area, VIP lounge and service reception once complete in the first quarter of 2026.
To mark the occasion, John Roth, Vice President of Global Cadillac, joined Buti Saeed Mohamed Alghandi, Managing Director of Al Ghandi Auto to officially ground-break the site, marking the start of construction for the 82,495 square feet site.
“We’ve always believed that owning, driving and being a passenger of a Cadillac is an experience in itself and innovation, design, craftmanship and luxury are in Cadillac’s DNA. Our new Experience Center depicts this and is set to redefine the luxury automotive experience in Abu Dhabi. This marks a huge milestone in our near century presence in the region, once again innovating, raising the bar and elevating the customer journey, starting from the showroom.” said Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director, General Motors Africa and Middle East.
The main showroom will feature spacious high ceilings and will be equipped to showcase eleven cars, with the comfort-controlled basement providing an extended area for customers to experience a wider selection of Cadillac models. For those looking to take their shopping experience to the next level, interactive displays will also be installed, allowing customers to explore vehicle features, customisation options, and advanced technologies at their own pace.
The service center will comprise of fourteen work bays with capacity of 50 plus vehicles per day, which has been designed to meet the specialist needs of Cadillac’s electric and ICE vehicles, including high-capacity vehicle lifts, specialist tools and diagnostic equipment. Prominent windows will separate the showroom from the service center, offering complete transparency to the workshop, enabling customers to see the repairs being expertly conducted by the Cadillac certified technicians.
Further expanding on Cadillac’s commitment for an electric future, the facility will be amply equipped to provide concurrent charging for up to twelve electric vehicles, including four high-speed chargers to ensure that visitors and customers can always have their electric vehicles topped up to the desired level of charge.
“We’re thrilled to be announcing the start of construction for our new experience center” said Buti Saeed Mohamed Alghandi, Managing Director of Al Ghandi Auto. “As Cadillac’s exclusive dealer partner in the UAE, we understand and value the responsibility of being the brands’ touchpoint with esteemed customers. We have carefully crafted the building to ensure an unparalleled cutting-edge experience, that also aligns to our wider commitments to the UAE. The design meets the 1 Pearl Building Rating System, which aims to promote the development of sustainable buildings. It was also important for us to meet the needs of People of Determination, ensuring accessibility, safety and comfort with features including ramps and braille indicators. We look forward to welcoming our esteemed customers in 2026”.
Poised to have striking architectural design and state-of-the art facilities that reflect a forward-thinking approach, Cadillac customers are promised to experience a unique luxury site, setting new standards for automotive excellence in the region. The Experience Center will also contribute to local economic growth by creating jobs and supporting the luxury automotive sector.
Al Ghandi Auto recently partnered with Cybex and RoadSafetyUAE to host an event aimed at highlighting the importance of child safety on the road. The event drew families together to raise awareness about the critical role of child seats and essential road safety measures.
Event Highlights:
- Introduction to Our Brands: Attendees explored the family-oriented offerings from Al Ghandi Auto and Cybex, reflecting our dedication to safe and enjoyable travel for families.
- Road Safety Presentation: Experts shared valuable insights on the vital role of child seats in every vehicle, stressing the importance of proper installation and use.
- Expert Insights: Representatives from RoadSafetyUAE provided essential information on best practices for keeping children safe during travel, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting important safety statistics.
- Cybex Product Demonstration: Participants experienced innovative Cybex products designed to enhance family travel, with hands-on demonstrations illustrating effective usage.
Special Offer for Parents
To encourage parents to invest in their children’s safety, we are excited to announce a special promotion: receive a free Cybex child seat with the purchase of any car from Al Ghandi Auto. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring the well-being of our youngest passengers.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to this vital cause. Together, we can make our roads safer for future generations.
- A recent survey by Morning Consult, commissioned by General Motors Africa & Middle East, examined the awareness and attitudes towards EV infrastructure development
- Drivers included alleviating environmental concerns as a leading factor for increased consideration of EVs in the UAE, while combatting increasing gasoline costs is a key factor of increased consideration within both countries
- Participants from both KSA and UAE found the long-term affordability of EVs attractive – 69% among adults in KSA and 73% in UAE
Middle East – As awareness towards the availability and benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) rises across the region, seven out of ten consumers surveyed in the UAE (73%) and Saudi Arabia (69%) are eager to explore the cost savings brought about by an electric vehicle. A survey commissioned by General Motors and conducted by Morning Consult explored the state of consumer interest in EVs, as well as awareness of long-term cost savings related to EV ownership, available EV vehicle options, and charging facilities.[1]
The survey found that the general awareness of the concept of electric vehicles is very high, with 95% of UAE and 93% of KSA respondents aware of all-electric vehicles. The awareness of EVs is also consistently high among all age groups and across both men and women in both countries surveyed. This heightened awareness has also translated into strong purchase consideration, with a majority in both countries (63% in Saudi Arabia and 70% in UAE) strongly considering a future EV purchase. Those reporting higher EV consideration are more likely to think this will bring them cost savings, in addition to being more likely to be aware of EV infrastructure in their nation.
This favorable outlook towards EVs aligns with global EV revenue projections, anticipated to grow from around $10 billion in 2023 to approximately $90 billion annually by 2030[2]. The regional growth in consideration also aligns with carbon neutral strategies across the region, which has prompted more awareness across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in turn driving a deeper understanding of EV offerings and their benefits. In the UAE, the study found that top drivers of increased EV consideration were tackling the elevated cost of gasoline and alleviation of environmental concerns, with 64% of those who are more likely to consider an EV in comparison to a year ago selecting each of these drivers as a reason for increased interest. Looking more closely into EV pricing in the UAE, 73% of consumers overall see EVs as having worthwhile cost savings versus a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Within Saudi Arabia on the other hand, 65% of respondents are more likely to consider an EV in comparison to a year ago. 61% of those who are more likely to consider an EV in the Kingdom cite the cost of gasoline as a factor, while 47% find that there have been more affordable EV options available in the market over the past year.
Another key insight derived from the study tackles range anxiety, with UAE participants revealing that the ideal driving range of an EV is approximately 325 km on average, while in KSA this was found to be approximately 360 km. What’s more, 36% of respondents with increased EV purchase consideration in the Kingdom have attributed this to stem from an understanding of the longer driving range than previously available. Featuring the Ultium battery platform, GM’s EV portfolio will be capable of a driving range of more than 400 kilometers on a single charge, depending on the vehicle, surpassing the expectations of both nations.
Jack Uppal, President & Managing Director, General Motors Africa & Middle East shared, “It is promising to see the rising positive sentiment towards EVs brought to light by this Morning Consult survey. As we progress towards our vision of the future of mobility, the increase in volume and variety of EV options we are anticipating to bring to market, will respond to the shift in consumer awareness and consideration brought on by the long-term benefits of ownership – from apprehension around affordability and range, towards positive sentiment towards the ownership potential of these new technologies. We will deliver on our commitment to offer an electric vehicle for every wallet and every customer and driving this change towards a vision of future mobility across electrification, autonomy, and connectivity.”
Looking more closely at infrastructure, as both countries work towards their carbon neutral visions, in the UAE, over one-third (38%) of respondents were aware of the location of at least one convenient charging station. Four out of five (80%) of those aware of a convenient charging station said one was available where they park their car at home, with highest reported availability in public parking or shared private parking. In Saudi Arabia, two out of five respondents (40%) claimed awareness of a charging station, however, only one in five (17%) found this to be in a convenient location to their home or workplace. This indicates understanding of ongoing efforts to drive forward infrastructure, as well as room for further development. Action is firmly underway on this front, with Riyadh’s ambitious goal to have 30% of all vehicles in the city be powered by electricity by 2030, while the UAE is already home to 600 charging points with a drastic growth plan to be achieved before 2050.
Uppal further elaborated, “Each market will understandably have a different approach and timeframe to infrastructure solutions to accommodate for the mass rollout of electric vehicles. At GM, we are focused on a customer-centric approach by enabling charging capabilities at customers’ homes. We are firmly aligned with the regional leaders on a shared vision when it comes to an electrified future of mobility.”
Supported by the positive outlook towards EVs, General Motors will continue to develop and roll out a range of solutions, and explore combinations of public infrastructure, home solutions and community solutions with local governments to suit each market’s needs. This focus feeds into ongoing work to achieving the long-term strategy in place, guided by a vision of a future with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion.
- Aimed at supporting anyone who has directly, or indirectly, been impacted by a road traffic incident, a complimentary public webinar series, ‘Healing After Trauma’ and an in-person guided drawing experience will run from 12th February to 14th March 2023 and will explore trauma reactions, physical responses and support after an incident
- Each of the webinar sessions will be led by a dedicated psychologist trained in grief and trauma support, and the guided drawing experience will take place at The LightHouse Arabia
- In 2021, 2,620 people were injured in road accidents in the UAE, whilst the WHO estimate that globally, approximately 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes
- The support has been launched after a successful awareness initiative, Through Their Eyes, which saw six regional visual artists reframe the difficult conversation around road traffic accidents through moving artworks
Dubai UAE – OnStar, the pioneering safety and connectivity technology from General Motors, has launched a three-part webinar series, in addition to a guided drawing experience, with The LightHouse Arabia to support victims of road traffic accidents in the UAE. Healing After Trauma is a complimentary health and wellness platform targeting anyone who has directly, or indirectly, been impacted by a road traffic incident. The guided drawing experience will take place on the 12th of February in-person, while the webinars will be accessible from the 14th of February to 14th March.
Shereen Harris, Head of Marketing & Subscriptions at OnStar Middle East, commented, “In 2022, our focus was on raising awareness on the topic of road safety through a visual art lens and encouraging difficult conversations around the impact of accidents on victims and their families. We wanted to continue to build on this awareness with tangible action that supports individual wellbeing post-trauma, particularly as in the UAE alone, 2,620 people were injured in road accidents in 2021. We are delighted with our partnership with The LightHouse Arabia, offering us the ability to support those impacted by road incidents, through professional support to overcome the emotional and mental weight this carries. Through the sessions, LightHouse will be sharing practical tips and tools outlining healthy ways of coping and reform mental wellbeing assumptions.”
The webinars will focus on three key subject areas; developing a deeper understanding of trauma; its physical responses; and supporting oneself and others after a road traffic accident. Leading the sessions will be Aisling Prendergast, Psychologist, Grief & Trauma Specialist and Community Support Services Lead at The LightHouse Arabia. Prendergast will be bringing to the sessions her practice in working with individuals who have suffered traumatic events, impacting their lives and productivity. Over the course of the series, attendees will be taken through a deeper exploration of how experiencing or witnessing a road traffic incident impacts an individual’s reflection of the world. The in-person guided drawing experience, led by Juan Van Wyk, Clinical Psychologist with The LightHouse Arabia, will invite participants to explore shapes in rhythmic repetition, while safely expressing emotions, in a reflective space.
Aisling shared, “The long-term impact of accidents on the victim and their loved ones is often underestimated, and includes stress, anxiety and insomnia. The work that will be done through the Healing After Trauma series will shine a light on the aftershocks of road incidents, not only on the emotional wellbeing of the victim, but also on our overall physical wellbeing and engagement with life. We are excited to be working with OnStar to widen the net of the community we can support with these vital therapy sessions”.
The alternative art-focused platform launched last year helped OnStar stride towards its vision to support in the case of the unplanned – be it emergencies, injuries or a simple need for directions, by sparking renewed conversation around safety on the road. Building on this, OnStar continues to deliver on its overarching aim to create safer roads for its communities, and support those impacted by accidents through purposeful technology.
To sign up for The LightHouse Arabia’s webinar series and the in-person guided drawing experience please visit www.lighthousearabia.com/events.
Note: Spaces for the in-person guided drawing experience are limited and require pre-registration. Participants must be over 25 years old, and not experiencing acute trauma symptoms.
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About OnStar:
Launched in 1996, OnStar is a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC (“GM”) and offers emergency, security and navigation services in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models. OnStar offers a range of services such as Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services and Stolen Vehicle Assistance. OnStar is coming to select markets in the Middle East in 2021. For more information, visit www.onstar.com/ae/en/home/.