Haima, one of the largest Chinese car manufacturers is set to enter the UAE market after tying up with Abu Dhabi based First Motors, a subsidiary of Bin Omeir Holding Group (BOHG).
Haima will be introducing six new models at the Dubai International Motor Show, the company said in a statement.
Fred Huang, general manager, Haima Automobiles, said it would be targeting the mid-income segment with its range of cars and saw opportunities in a market where vehicle ownership rates were more than 540 per 1,000 inhabitants.
"We are delighted to enter UAE...we believe that UAE has a lot of potential and are looking at the mid income segment," added Huang.
"We are positioning our vehicles in a particular segment and we are confident that we will further boost the automobile sector in the UAE. The combination of relatively high living standards, its geographical location, a growing population in the UAE, as well as a resurgence in oil prices have been the key driving forces behind the growth in the auto sector in the UAE."
FAW Haima Automobile Co currently achieves an annual production capacity of 150,000 units with two factories and one engine factory with complete manufacturing facilities and process of stamping, welding, painting and final assembling.
The company said a third factory was under construction which, when completed, will double the total annual production volume.
Having started its strategic cooperation with Mazda in 1992, Haima started exporting its own cars in 2007 and now the sales network covers Middle East, North Africa, East Europe, South America and Southeast Asia.
Nearly 10,000 Haima cars and matched spare parts have been exported to the overseas markets so far, the company added.
