Omani electric car maker to add SUV to portfolio

Promising industry: Mays Motors garners around 500 bookings for debut Mays iE1 model

MUSCAT, FEB 25

Mays Motors, the Sultanate of Oman’s first high-end Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced plans to add a battery-powered Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to its evolving automotive portfolio.

The announcement underscores the Oman-based automaker’s ambitions to venture into promising segments of the automotive market, having already garnered significant market interest in its maiden electric car offering – the Mays iE1. More than 500 units of the iE1 have so far been booked by interested customers, according to the company.

In a post on its social media account, Mays Motors said its decision to add electric SUVs to its offerings was guided by strong customer interest in this segment.

“We have managed to complete the concept of the new Mays SUV car. We see there a high demand in the SUV segment, which made us enter this segment,” the automaker said. “If we finish our investor negotiations within the next months, then we shall be able to launch this car into the market by next year,” it stated.

Significantly, the announcement comes on the first anniversary of the formal unveiling of the Mays Motors’ debut model – the Mays iE1 – at a grand ceremony held at Al Bustan Palace – A Ritz Carlton Hotel. Representatives of Oman Technology Fund (OTF), a state-backed fund investing in tech innovations and start-ups, were also present. OTF is a key investor in the Omani company.

According to Mays Motors, a lot has been accomplished in preparing the groundwork for actual production to start on its maiden electric car offering.

“We have managed to partner with the biggest global suppliers and manufacturers to make the essential parts for Mays cars. We have also learnt from their experiences during our visits to some of the global factories. This will help us get to market faster and at lower costs,” it stated.

Importantly, a modern modular chassis for the Mays brand has been finalized, the Omani automaker said. “It enables you to build and design different types of cars within the same chassis platform. This chassis has also passed all the safety tests as per the tests of the NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme).”

Mays Motors also thanked its growing base of prospective customers who have booked a total of around 500 EV cars to date. “We are committed to bringing out cars of the highest standard and quality because, as you know, we are competing not just locally but globally. And in the car industry there are lots of options - which is why it’s necessary for us to differentiate ourselves with new technology and attractive designs,” the company said.

Responding to opinions shared online by people commenting on the current sports design of the launch model, the company noted that the model showcased at multiple public forums in the past was merely a “prototype” that would be quite different from the final product. “The final car is always improved in design and technology,” it pointed out.

Billed as a performance car in the electric vehicle category, Mays will offer a range of around 500 km per charge with top speed of 280 km/hour. The proposed SUV version will be a five-door, five-seater model.