MAN Truck & Bus and its long-standing UAE partner Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons marked a major milestone last night with a glittering celebration at Soul Beach, JA The Resort. The event not only commemorated 30 years of collaboration between the two companies but also served as the official regional launch for the MAN TGE van — the brand’s first entry into the Middle East’s light commercial vehicle segment.
The evening drew key industry figures, fleet partners, and VIP guests to the iconic beachfront venue, where they were treated to a showcase of MAN’s latest innovations and a look back at one of the most successful partnerships in the region’s transport sector. A series of high-level speeches highlighted the achievements of the past three decades while pointing to a shared vision for a cleaner, smarter transport future.
Celebrating a Legacy of Success
Opening the evening, Abdulla Alketbi, Group Managing Director of Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons, paid tribute to the enduring partnership. “Every year there has been a new success,” he said. “Partnering with MAN has helped us maintain a high standard for 30 years. We thank MAN for products that are second to none.”
Alketbi also made headlines by announcing a new milestone for the partnership. “Darwish, MAN, and Emirates will be the first to use a hydrogen-driven truck at an airport in the Arab World,” he revealed. “The deal was agreed today.”
As the TGE takes its first steps in the Middle East, it does so supported by a partnership with Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons that’s been 30 years in the making — one built on trust, service, and a shared vision for the road ahead, the audience were told.
Thomas Hemmerich, Head of International Sales at MAN Truck & Bus SE, echoed those sentiments while underlining the strength of the relationship. “Our recent (bus) deal with the RTA was secured because of the uptime, service, and support from Darwish,” he told the audience. “It has also helped MAN become the number one truck brand in the oil and gas segment.”
Hemmerich also looked to the future, revealing that MAN will soon roll out a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) offering across the UAE and GCC markets. “We are fully committed to decarbonised transportation,” he said. “Now, we are looking at the next 30 years.”
A Personal Milestone: Launching the TGE in the Middle East
The night was also a defining moment for Martin Imhoff, Head of Vans at MAN Truck & Bus, who formally introduced the TGE Next Level van to the region.
In an exclusive interview ahead of the event, Imhoff shared his emotional connection to the project. “This is not just another product for me,” he said. “This is my baby.”
Imhoff, who joined MAN in 2012 after previously working on the Iveco Daily, was instrumental in bringing the TGE van to life. Developed from the ground up with MAN’s truck-grade engineering and the Volkswagen Group’s van platform, the TGE has already become a success story in Europe—selling over 100,000 units and capturing more than 4% of the market since its launch in 2017.
“We approached this as truck makers, not car makers,” Imhoff explained. “Our customers are commercial vehicle users—they want reliability, service at their premises, and smart solutions that keep their business moving.”
Built for the Middle East
The Middle East debut of the TGE Next Level is more than symbolic —it represents a carefully timed move to meet rising demand for urban delivery, e-commerce logistics, and fleet expansion across the region.
The TGE offers multiple wheelbase and roof configurations, front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive options, and both manual and automatic transmissions. Imhoff highlighted features tailored for regional conditions, including a smart 4×4 system that automatically engages when driving off-road. “In the UAE, you can go from highway to sand in minutes,” he said. “This system makes a real difference.”
Inside, the TGE features a completely reimagined driver environment, including a redesigned dashboard, steering-column-mounted gear shifter, and class-leading digital displays. “We’ve created a cabin that meets the expectations of modern drivers, with smart USB-C ports, intuitive infotainment, and voice control,” said Imhoff.
Safety, another pillar of MAN’s truck heritage, is front and centre in the TGE. The van offers up to 27 assistance systems, many of which are available in the UAE, including fatigue detection, emergency braking, blind spot warnings, and drive-off alerts.
Looking Ahead
Imhoff confirmed that an all-electric TGE van is also on the way, designed to meet growing demand for zero-emission, last-mile delivery vehicles. “It’s coming soon,” he said. “With electric, you drive out, deliver, return, and charge overnight. It’s logical—and we’re ready.”
Despite the technology on display, Imhoff emphasised that MAN’s strength lies in its understanding of real-world commercial needs. “Some customers just want something simple that works. Others want the latest tech. Our job is to deliver both — with the service, parts and support to back it up.”
