General Motors (GM) is marking 100 years in Africa and the Middle East with a renewed commitment to the region, announcing a series of customer initiatives, technology rollouts and heritage campaigns as it looks to strengthen its long-term presence.
The automaker said it has sold more than 4.5 million vehicles across the region over the past century, spanning markets including Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Lebanon and Qatar. GM’s best-known models in the region have included the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Caprice, Camaro and Malibu, alongside Cadillac models such as the Fleetwood, DeVille and Escalade.
The company said the popularity of full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon helped establish GM vehicles as part of family life, commerce and economic development across the Middle East and Africa.
GM is also expanding its focus on connected mobility through OnStar, its in-vehicle technology platform that combines connectivity, safety and entertainment services.
The company highlighted its manufacturing footprint in Egypt, where its plant in 6th of October City, Cairo, has produced more than one million vehicles over the past 40 years. GM said the facility is the first private automotive manufacturer in Egypt to achieve that milestone and now works with more than 80 local suppliers and global partners.
GM’s aftersales and parts operations in the region date back to 1927, when Alexandria served as a hub for training dealers and introducing vehicle servicing across regional markets. By 1936, GM’s parts department had been recognized as the best among its export operations.
Today, the company’s Middle East Distribution Center in Jebel Ali, Dubai, manages parts sourced from five continents for distribution across Africa and the Middle East.
GM also said ACDelco batteries have been produced locally in Saudi Arabia for the past 25 years. Across the region, close to 60 million batteries have been sold, supporting workshops and aftermarket services while helping combat counterfeit products.
Jorge Plata, President and Managing Director of GM Africa & Middle East, said the company’s regional journey had been shaped by customers, dealers and government and private-sector partnerships.
“For a hundred years, General Motors has grown with Africa and the Middle East – from our first plant in Alexandria to millions of vehicles and parts that became part of everyday life across the Middle East,” Plata said.
“That journey belongs first to our customers, dealers and partners who put their trust in our brands. Today, we are renewing our commitment to move forward together and continue investing in the region’s promising visions.”
Plata said GM would launch customer offers across Chevrolet and GMC in selected markets, alongside a regional campaign encouraging the public to share memories connected to GM vehicles.
He also confirmed Cadillac’s return to Egypt and said customers in the GCC would soon be able to experience GM’s “Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assistance” technology.
As part of its centennial celebrations, GM said it would continue investing in supplier networks, dealer partnerships and advanced connected vehicle technologies aimed at improving road safety and mobility experiences across the region.
