By: Diana Al Shafie, Corporate Communications Lead, GM Africa & Middle East
By: Diana Al Shafie, Corporate Communications Lead, GM Africa & Middle East
This year, General Motors celebrates a massive milestone: a century of GM in Africa and the Middle East. The journey began in 1926 with the first assembly plant in Alexandria, Egypt, where the region’s first product, a Chevrolet truck, rolled off the line. From that moment to the connected technologies of today, the story is rooted in resilience, innovation, and deep community ties.
Inspired by longtime CEO Alfred Sloan’s vision for smart, scalable growth, GM brought the first electric starters and automatic transmissions to local drivers. The team didn't just sell cars; they set the standard for how an industry should run.
To mark this moment, GM Middle East teamed up with Acumen Media, CBS, and Alarabiya to capture the history in a new documentary. It shows how far GM has come and where it’s going next – see it for yourself below.
YouTube Embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-uOQT6eO18
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"From our beginnings in Alexandria to becoming a driving force in mobility across Africa and the Middle East, one constant has remained: placing our customers at the center of everything we do," said Jack Uppal, president and managing director of GM Africa and Middle East.
GM doesn’t just ship cars to the region; it builds them for the people who live there. The network supports 7,000 jobs, driven by local talent trained to global standards. Whether it’s a Chevrolet, a GMC, or a Cadillac, GM’s work in the region is woven into the daily lives and culture of millions.
The icons GM Middle East and Africa has built:
Chevrolet Suburban: The 1935 original—still the ultimate survivor.
Chevrolet Caprice: A staple of Gulf life for generations.
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra: Known to locals as “Chaffar” and “Jims”—the definitions of strength.
Cadillac Escalade: The benchmark for prestige.
Egypt’s workhorses that keep commerce moving, while the Egyptian-built Optra shows the world what local expertise can do.
GM isn’t just looking back; it’s redefining what’s next for its Africa and Middle East operations. As it starts its second century, the mission stays the same: investing in people, building local industry, and powering the economies that move us all. For 100 years, GM has been the catalyst for progress.
"As we look ahead to the next 100 years, GM’s commitment to the region remains true, bringing cutting-edge technology like Super Cruise and empowering local industries and talent," said Rory Harvey, executive vice president and president of global markets.
This year, General Motors celebrates a massive milestone: a century of GM in Africa and the Middle East. The journey began in 1926 with the first assembly plant in Alexandria, Egypt, where the region’s first product, a Chevrolet truck, rolled off the line. From that moment to the connected technologies of today, the story is rooted in resilience, innovation, and deep community ties.
Inspired by longtime CEO Alfred Sloan’s vision for smart, scalable growth, GM brought the first electric starters and automatic transmissions to local drivers. The team didn't just sell cars; they set the standard for how an industry should run.
To mark this moment, GM Middle East teamed up with Acumen Media, CBS, and Alarabiya to capture the history in a new documentary. It shows how far GM has come and where it’s going next – see it for yourself below.
"From our beginnings in Alexandria to becoming a driving force in mobility across Africa and the Middle East, one constant has remained: placing our customers at the center of everything we do," said Jack Uppal, president and managing director of GM Africa and Middle East.
GM doesn’t just ship cars to the region; it builds them for the people who live there. The network supports 7,000 jobs, driven by local talent trained to global standards. Whether it’s a Chevrolet, a GMC, or a Cadillac, GM’s work in the region is woven into the daily lives and culture of millions.
The icons GM Middle East and Africa has built:
- Chevrolet Suburban: The 1935 original—still the ultimate survivor.
- Chevrolet Caprice: A staple of Gulf life for generations.
- Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra: Known to locals as “Chaffar” and “Jims”—the definitions of strength.
- Cadillac Escalade: The benchmark for prestige.
- Egypt’s workhorses that keep commerce moving, while the Egyptian-built Optra shows the world what local expertise can do.
GM isn’t just looking back; it’s redefining what’s next for its Africa and Middle East operations. As it starts its second century, the mission stays the same: investing in people, building local industry, and powering the economies that move us all. For 100 years, GM has been the catalyst for progress.
"As we look ahead to the next 100 years, GM’s commitment to the region remains true, bringing cutting-edge technology like Super Cruise and empowering local industries and talent," said Rory Harvey, executive vice president and president of global markets.