In recent years, Chinese auto brands have been increasingly favored by the Gulf state of Qatar, with more and more Qataris choosing Chinese cars, from the government's public transportation sector to ordinary consumers.

This is a sunset view taken on 6 July 2023 in Doha, Qatar. [photo/Xinhua News]

Thanks to Qatar's policy of promoting new energy vehicles in public transportation in recent years, China's auto exports to Qatar in 2024 have grown rapidly. Data provided by the Chinese Embassy in Qatar shows that from January to October 2024, China's auto exports to Qatar increased by 71.6 percent year-on-year, with a total export value of $442 million.

Shen Hui, general manager of Yutong Bus Co., LTD. (Yutong) in the Middle East region, told Xinhua News Agency that during the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament in Qatar, 888 Yutong battery electric buses provided strong transportation support, transporting nearly 100,000 fans per day during peak periods, and continued to serve the local bus network after the event. In addition, the Qatar National Transport Company (QNTC) has introduced Yutong's new energy light trucks and electric school buses, among others, to prepare for the comprehensive electrification of Qatar's public transportation.

On December 15, 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony for the electric bus assembly plant, a joint venture between Yutong and QNTC, was held in the Qatar Free Trade Zone. This is the first electric commercial vehicle assembly plant in Qatar.

Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Qatar's Minister of Transportation, said at the ceremony on the same day that the establishment of the electric bus assembly plant is in accordance with Qatar's national development strategy objectives. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, the CEO of the Qatar Free Trade Zone Authority, said the cooperation marks an important step in promoting industrial and transportation innovation and sustainable development in Qatar.

In the field of passenger vehicles, Chery Automobile's brand Jetour has become the fastest-growing Chinese auto brand in Qatar in terms of sales. Jetour entered the Qatari market in April 2023, and with the benefit of the rapid sales growth of its star model Jetour T2, in the first 11 months of 2024 Jetour ranked 3rd in terms of all-brand sales and 2nd in the SUV segment in Qatar, with its market share exceeding 12%.

Abdullah, an owner of Jetour in Qatar, said, "I love Jetour T2 very much, not only its nice appearance but also its high performance, which is especially suitable for driving to the desert on weekends, with no pressure to cope with the general slopes. In addition, many Qataris would like to live in tents in the desert for a few months during the camping season. Thus, it's necessary to have an off-road vehicle on their own, and Jetour T2 is a great choice."

Faisal, an owner of Jetour who traveled from Saudi Arabia to Doha last month to attend the Jetour brand event, said, "I have carefully compared it with other brands of off-road models, and Jetour T2 is not only much more affordable, but also smarter. Now that Chinese auto brands have already entered the Saudi market, of course, I'm willing to choose Chinese brands."