Chinese carmaker Dongfeng has launched its 008 family SUV in the UAE, its exclusive dealer MAHY Khoory Automotive announced on 19 October, shortly after opening a new flagship showroom at Oasis Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.
The 008 is a three-row, six-seat SUV that the dealer is positioning in the premium family segment. It uses range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) technology, in which the wheels are driven by an electric motor while a petrol engine acts as a generator to top up the battery, rather than driving the car directly. According to MAHY Khoory Automotive, the 008 has a combined driving range of up to 1,220km.
The company did not give UAE pricing for the model in its announcement.
What the 008 is
The model was first shown at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2024 and went on sale in China two months later as a six-seater, with a five-seat version following in October 2024, according to its Wikipedia entry. In China it is sold under Dongfeng’s eπ (Yipai) electric sub-brand and is also marketed as the Dongfeng Ace 008.
The same entry lists the range-extended version as rear-wheel drive, pairing a 160kW rear electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol range extender and a lithium iron phosphate battery, and quotes a comprehensive range of 1,200km, of which around 200km is electric only. Fully electric versions are also sold in China. It gives the car’s length as 5,002mm, with a 3,025mm wheelbase. The figure of 1,220km cited for the UAE launch differs slightly from the 1,200km quoted for the Chinese market; MAHY Khoory Automotive did not say which test cycle its figure is based on.
The 008 follows the Dongfeng 007, a range-extended model that MAHY Khoory Automotive unveiled at the EVIS exhibition in Abu Dhabi in 2025. Gulf News reported at the time that the 007 combined an electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and had a quoted range of up to 1,200km.
The dealer’s view
Saj Jabbar, vice president of MAHY Khoory Automotive, said: “The introduction of the DONGFENG 008 is an important milestone for the brand in the UAE and reflects where we see its future in this market. Customers are increasingly looking for vehicles that bring together intelligent technology, comfort, versatility and greater flexibility for everyday life. The 008 responds to those expectations while introducing a new premium family SUV to our growing portfolio. As DONGFENG continues to expand in the UAE, our focus remains on bringing the right products to the market, backed by industry-leading ownership benefits, comprehensive warranty coverage and a strong retail, customer service and aftersales experience.”
The company did not set out the warranty terms for the 008 in its announcement.
Four showrooms in two emirates
The new Oasis Mall showroom has interactive product displays and consultation areas, according to the dealer, and gives Dongfeng two showrooms in Dubai and two in Abu Dhabi.
Dongfeng’s current presence in the UAE dates from late 2024, when M.A.H.Y. Khoory became the brand’s exclusive distributor and opened its first showroom. YallaMotor reported that the opening took place on 10 October 2024 with models including the Shine Max saloon and the Mage SUV, and Drive Me Online listed the launch line-up as the Shine, Shine Max, AX7 and Mage.
The partnership marked a return to car retailing for the Khoory family business. According to Drive Me Online, M.A.H.Y. Khoory was a prominent automotive dealer from the 1960s until the late 1980s, representing GMC among other brands. At the 2024 launch, Jabbar, then general manager of the group’s automotive division, said: “We are excited to re-enter the automotive market through this strategic partnership.”
M.A.H.Y. Khoory & Co. Group describes itself as an Emirati industrial group that has operated for almost a century and employs more than 4,000 people, with interests spanning manufacturing, recycling and packaging, building services, renewable energy and mobility.
Who makes Dongfeng
Dongfeng Motor Corporation was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Wuhan, according to Wikipedia. It is state owned, controlled by China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, and is the smallest of China’s “Big Four” state carmakers. Alongside its own brands, which include Voyah, M-Hero and eπ, it builds Honda, Nissan and Peugeot-Citroën models for the Chinese market through joint ventures.
