1200 Chinese new energy vehicles trapped in the strait

In the automotive trading and logistics hub Ras Al Khor in Dubai, the showroom of Poppycar Automotive Sales & Service Company appears particularly quiet. This showroom, which was put into use in 2025 with an investment of over 10 million RMB, is a microcosm of China's new energy vehicles going overseas: in the more than 1000 square meters showroom, there are dozens of Chinese new energy brand models favored by Dubai consumers. The tranquility of the showroom contrasts sharply with the busy figure of the general manager Luo Shiyong. In recent days, he has been driving a BYD Song back and forth between the office and the Jebel Ali Port warehouse. A batch of 1200 original planned Chinese new energy vehicle brands including Changan, Jishi, and Formula Leopard under his company are now stranded on the surface of the Gulf of Oman as a result of the blockage of the Hormuz Strait shipping route. The blockade of the Hormuz shipping route instantly affected important shipping arteries in the Middle East such as Jebel Ali Port and Saudi Damman Port. Originally, the final destination of these vehicles was not Dubai, but through transit trade to Iran and Iraq.