Logistics

At the heart of IVECO’s industrial operations is its Madrid facility, the only manufacturing site in Spain dedicated to heavy-duty industrial vehicles

The plant produces the company’s complete heavy truck range for international markets including Italy, Germany, Spain and Turkey.

Covering 374,000 m², the facility is built around a 1 km main assembly line and is capable of delivering close to 40,000 different vehicle configurations. With 267 core models and more than 2,800 customisation options available, production is designed around highly specific customer demands. On average, the same truck configuration is assembled just three times annually.

“Every truck we build is essentially a one-off, custom-made to meet specific requirements,” commented José Manuel Jaquotot, director of IVECO’s Madrid and Valladolid plants.

“Each vehicle has a unique identifier that allows us to track it from cab production in Valladolid to final assembly in Madrid, ensuring full traceability and quality.”

Manufacturing operations at the Madrid site rely on a flexible and tightly coordinated production system supported by automation and intelligent logistics. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) transport units across the line, enabling takt times to shift according to the complexity of each build while maintaining uninterrupted workflow across the plant.

Truck cabs arrive from the IVECO Valladolid Plant already painted and welded before being fully equipped in Madrid with dashboards, seats, bunks and airbags. The dashboard assembly process alone includes more than 100 electrical checks and is managed on a separate production line because of its technical complexity.

A major milestone in the process is the integration of the chassis and cab, commonly referred to as the “marriage” stage. Once combined, the vehicle progresses through the fitting of exterior parts, wheel installation and a series of final inspections. These include leak detection, geometry calibration and full functional testing before completion.

The site’s workforce remains central to its operational success. More than 2,700 employees support production activities, bringing the expertise and adaptability required to manage constant product evolution. During 2025, the plant successfully introduced ten new launches.

Sustainability also plays a defining role across operations. The Madrid facility operates entirely on renewable electricity and, in 2025, recycled almost 90% of the water used throughout production processes. Alongside the Valladolid plant, the site forms part of Iveco Group’s broader sustainability strategy and participates in a solar self-consumption initiative with Edison Next Spain, a project expected to help prevent around 500 tons of CO₂ emissions every year.

IVECO’s focus on decarbonisation extends beyond the vehicles themselves to the manufacturing ecosystem behind them. The Madrid plant reflects this broader ambition by combining advanced production technologies, large-scale customisation and sustainable industrial practices in one integrated operation.

DP World has welcomed a senior delegation from Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones to discuss progress on the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone and review upcoming stages of the project’s development.

The delegation was led by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef and met with senior DP World executives in Dubai, including Essa Kazim and Yuvraj Narayan. Discussions focused on infrastructure progress, investment opportunities and long-term economic cooperation between the UAE and Oman.

The visit also included a tour of the Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone site in Mahdah, located in Oman’s Al Buraimi Governorate near the UAE border. Officials reviewed construction updates and ongoing infrastructure works designed to support future industrial and logistics activity.

Essa Kazim said the project would play a key role in boosting regional trade and supply chains. “The Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone is expected to create new opportunities for investment and industrial growth while strengthening connectivity between Oman and the UAE,” he said.

“Our continued engagement with OPAZ reflects the strong collaboration behind this project and our shared commitment to developing a globally competitive economic zone that delivers long-term value for both countries,” he added.

Strategically positioned with links to Sohar Port and Jebel Ali Port, the zone is expected to attract businesses operating in logistics, warehousing, food processing, pharmaceuticals, mining and light manufacturing.

The development supports wider regional growth strategies, including Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Oman Vision 2040, both of which aim to diversify economic activity and strengthen industrial capabilities.

UAE's DP World has introduced a new integrated logistics corridor linking Brazil with Africa, aimed at improving trade connectivity between Latin America’s largest economy and rapidly expanding African markets

Named the Brazil-Africa Link, the new service was launched during Intermodal South America 2026 in São Paulo. It offers a fully integrated end-to-end logistics solution connecting export cargo from the Port of Santos to DP World’s operations in Angola and Mozambique, with additional support from its wider logistics network in South Africa.

Developed under a “one-stop shop” model, the corridor combines ocean freight services with inland logistics capabilities, allowing customers to manage their complete supply chain through one provider. The platform provides access to three port terminals, 52 warehouses and a fleet of more than 4,250 vehicles, helping improve efficiency, visibility and reliability across cargo movements.

The service is intended to support major Brazilian export industries such as animal proteins, agricultural commodities and consumer goods. It is designed to help exporters improve transit certainty, lower operational complexity and widen access to African markets.

Fabio Siccherino said, “This Brazil-Africa Link simplifies the journey for Brazilian exporters to a market with enormous growth potential. By integrating the entire logistics chain – from port of origin to final delivery – we reduce complexity, increase predictability, and enable our customers to unlock new business opportunities between Brazil and Africa.”

Mohammed Akoojee said: "The Brazil-Africa Link marks a transformative step in connecting Latin America's largest economy with high-growth markets across Africa. This integrated logistics corridor leverages our investments in port infrastructure, economic free zones, and digital technology across Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa to enable growth, create jobs, and deepen economic partnership between our continents."

Expanding integrated logistics in Brazil

DP World said it is continuing to strengthen its end-to-end logistics presence in Brazil through three strategic areas:

Ports and Terminals: The company operates one of Brazil’s leading multipurpose terminals at the Port of Santos, which serves as the foundation of its local operations and supports increasing container and bulk cargo volumes.

Freight Forwarding: DP World manages six freight forwarding offices across Brazil, providing multimodal transport services covering ocean, air and road freight, alongside warehousing, container freight station (CFS), insurance and customs clearance solutions.

Contract Logistics: The business is also expanding warehousing capacity through multi-client facilities in São Paulo and Espírito Santo, delivering integrated B2B services covering storage, distribution, reverse logistics and value-added solutions.

Strengthening Santos capacity

DP World is also investing further in capacity growth and operational capability at its Santos terminal, reinforcing its status as a strategic South American trade gateway. Following a record 2025, during which the terminal handled 1.3 million TEUs and 5 million tonnes of pulp, the company is advancing investments worth more than R$2 billion (approx. US$400 million).

These upgrades include quay expansion, new equipment, a new berthing pier and the development of a grains and fertilisers terminal in partnership with Rumo, with annual handling capacity of up to 12.5 million tonnes.

A further R$1.6 billion (approx. US$320 million) investment is expected to lift container handling capacity to 1.7 million TEUs by 2026 and 2.1 million TEUs by 2028.

DP World said these investments reinforce the infrastructure supporting the Brazil-Africa Link, connecting expanded Santos port operations with its African logistics network to create more resilient and dependable trade corridors between Brazil and fast-growing African markets.

Consumer preferences in the UAE automotive sector are increasingly tilting towards electric and hybrid vehicles, as higher fuel prices reshape purchasing decisions and drive demand for more cost-efficient options.

Recent data from Dubizzle Group shows a notable rise in interest in electric vehicles (EVs), with engagement climbing by 24% in the first week of April. This significantly outpaced the 5% growth recorded across petrol and diesel segments, suggesting a deeper shift in how buyers are evaluating vehicle ownership.

The trend reflects a broader move towards long-term value, with consumers placing greater emphasis on efficiency and running costs rather than solely focusing on upfront pricing. Buyers are also spending more time researching options, including comparing listings and saving searches, indicating a more considered and data-driven approach to purchasing.

Electric vehicles are gaining traction across a range of brands, including Tesla, BYD and Xiaomi. This growing diversity highlights a shift away from traditional brand loyalty, as consumers become more open to newer entrants offering advanced technology and improved efficiency.

At the same time, hybrid vehicles continue to attract strong interest, recording growth of around 8%. These models appeal to buyers seeking a balance between fuel savings and practicality, particularly those not yet ready to transition fully to electric mobility.

Market dynamics are also evolving across price segments. While higher-value vehicles have seen a rebound of up to 23%, demand remains particularly strong in more affordable categories. Interest in vehicles priced below AED100,000 has increased, reflecting a broader trend towards value-driven decision-making.

Brand preferences are shifting as well, with Japanese and Chinese manufacturers gaining ground and surpassing German brands in terms of engagement by the end of March. This points to a growing preference for cost-effective and efficient vehicles in the current market environment.

Haider Khan, CEO of dubizzle and CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA, said the shift is being accelerated by external pressures. “Rising fuel costs are reinforcing a transition that was already in motion,” he said. “Consumers are now prioritising vehicles that offer long-term efficiency and better cost control. Electric and hybrid models are no longer niche—they are becoming central to how value is defined in today’s automotive market.”

As fuel price volatility continues, the data suggests that electric and hybrid vehicles are moving into the mainstream, shaping the next phase of growth in the UAE’s automotive sector.