Dutch automotive giant Stellantis NV announces partnership with Abu Dhabi (the UAE). Image: X

In a landmark move to bolster the region’s automotive industry, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Abu Dhabi Ports Group have inked a strategic cooperation agreement with global automaker Stellantis, to develop a fully integrated automotive ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.The partnership aims to position the UAE capital as a regional hub for automotive exports, advanced mobility technologies, and industrial innovation, in line with the Emirates’ broader vision to become a global trade and manufacturing powerhouse. Under the agreement, Stellantis will collaborate closely with ADIO to explore investment opportunities across Abu Dhabi’s burgeoning automotive sector. Leveraging the emirate’s cutting-edge logistics infrastructure and investor-friendly environment, Stellantis seeks to play a pivotal role in expanding local manufacturing capabilities.Founded in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA, Stellantis stands among the world’s leading automotive conglomerates, with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands including Peugeot, Jeep, Fiat, Citroën, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, among others. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the company was operates manufacturing and R&D centers across Europe, North America, and Asia. In the Middle East, Stellantis has steadily strengthened its presence through regional headquarters in Dubai.

Stellantis and ADIO drive Abu Dhabi investments

Mohammed Al Kamali, Chief Industry and Trade Officer at ADIO, said, “This collaboration marks a strategic step towards enhancing Abu Dhabi’s industrial and trade ecosystem and solidifying its position as a global destination for investment and innovation. At ADIO, we are committed to working with public and private sector partners to support investments into high-impact, future-focused sectors. By partnering with AD Ports Group and Stellantis, we will accelerate the emirate’s ambition to build a fully integrated automotive and trade ecosystem that supports the growth of global OEMs.”Highlighting the logistics advantage, Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO – Maritime & Shipping Cluster at AD Ports Group, remarked, “By combining Stellantis’ automotive expertise with our integrated logistics networks and market reach, and leveraging ADIO’s investment ecosystem, we are looking at the potential pathways for innovative mobility solutions to scale across the Middle East and Africa, while strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position in global supply chains.”Patrick Labilloy, Senior Vice President and Head of Planning at Stellantis MEA, added, “Abu Dhabi offers the vision, infrastructure and global connectivity needed to shape the future of mobility. This agreement reflects our commitment to co-developing solutions in electrification, autonomous transport and sustainable urban mobility, positioning the Middle East and Africa as a growth engine for Stellantis’ long-term strategy.”

Abu Dhabi’s leap as automotive innovation hub

The agreement supports ADIO’s Automotive Sector Programme launched in May 2025 under the national “Make it in the Emirates” campaign. The initiative aims to enhance R&D capabilities, expand high-quality automotive services, and develop next-generation mobility systems including autonomous taxi solutions.With a significant rise in automotive exports in recent years, Abu Dhabi is swiftly emerging as a leader in automotive manufacturing, innovation, and export, further cementing its reputation as a global hub for trade, technology, and industrial advancement. The partnership with Stellantis is hailed as a key milestone in this transformative journey.This move, experts say, will not only diversify Abu Dhabi’s industrial base but also strengthen its growing role in the regional and global automotive value chain, benefiting markets across the Middle East and Africa.