The movements happening in the mobility landscape are compelling it to undergo an abrupt, violent redefinition. It is no longer a world of pistons and gasoline, but of silicon and software. Around the world, the legacy automotive sector—slow, cautious, and inherently and only focused on incremental improvements—has been falling apart under the weight of a new generation of creative entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs embody the high-risk, high-gain culture of the tech startup world and have been increasingly converting the conventional car from a product-as-a-physical-machine into a product-as-software-defined phenomenon. They expedited the timelines for Electric Vehicles (EVs), pushing legacy automotive manufacturers, who have often relied on their brand names and have been in business for over a century, to invest to catch up with emerging EV manufacturers with new software-based business models. Their disruption was all-encompassing, from battery recycling to ultra-efficient electric motor designs to the software side of Autonomous Driving (AVs) and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). The shift in movement has been so extreme that it created a new economic model: Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) stood in direct opposition to the classical car ownership model.
The Catalyst of Change
Leading this charge—from not Silicon Valley but from rather a unique cross-section of global markets—has been Samir Hmicho. He is an inventive entrepreneur and trailblazer in the electric vehicle space that emerged as one of the early key architects of this new automotive revolution, knowing from the start that revolution would demand more than just new vehicles, it required a fundamental change in the process. Since 2018, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innovation Automotive, Samir has driven the operation to import cutting-edge electric and hybrid vehicles in the UK, and importantly, meet the pressing requirement for an after-sales service program in a new market.
The Integrated Ecosystem Builder
Samir’s ambition stretched far beyond a single market. His vision expanded into the Syrian market, where he founded 77 Auto, the country’s first full-service electric vehicle dealership. He simultaneously pioneered Electro Taxi Syria, establishing the region’s first app-based electric taxi service. This dual approach demonstrated his grasp of the entire mobility ecosystem. Importantly, the company uses the latest global technologies for fault diagnosis and maintenance. This was a scalpel-like move that did enhance the entire vehicle lifecycle and save money on operating costs, thus demonstrating that sustainability can coexist with better economics.
The Uncompromising Mandate
Samir was not just selling cars; he was bringing a startup, speed, agility, and customer orientation into an industry that is mired in slowness. He was not just creating new categories of products; he was creating a critically needed culture of open innovation and collaboration that was necessary in the 21st century. His governance philosophy is that innovation could only happen in tandem with sustainability and transparency. His vision remains the unwavering drive to create an integrated smart-mobility ecosystem that applies advanced technology, puts peak-pursuit into customer service, and exemplifies consistency in sustainability. He is indeed leading the charge of a cultural shift, processing energy transitions – advancing a pace of change in many areas.
Early Inspirations
Right from the beginning of his career, Samir was fascinated by the automobile industry and the developments happening. He was very passionate about learning and identifying various automobiles. He says, “As the world embraces clean energy, it has become clear that the future belongs to electric cars, and this vision is what drives me to be part of the movement.”
Dynamic Viewpoint
Samir is a well-researched professional, having a good knowledge of the global developments in sustainable technologies. He has been a forward-thinking leader, encouraging research and innovations. Electrification, smart technologies, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping the future of mobility. He identifies, “At Innovation Automotive, we embrace these shifts to lead the industry and drive a smarter, more sustainable transportation future.”
Boosting the Global Sustainable Mobility
With the world poised for the new age of sustainable technologies, Samir is already ahead in his plans and implementation of the innovative solutions for sustainable mobility. He is forward in his thinking, planning, and implementation. Samir elaborates on Innovation Automotive’s perspective, “At Innovation Automotive, we strengthen our operations in Syria through strategic partnerships with the world’s leading electric vehicle companies. Looking ahead, we are expanding our footprint with plans to establish factories in multiple countries, beginning with Turkey, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in innovation, technology, and sustainable mobility.”
Making the Green-Impact
Committed to a sustainable future through sustainable technology practices, Samir ensures that the organization focuses on complete end-to-end sustainability solutions throughout its manufacturing process and its product offerings that extend the same to the customers. He believes in making an impact through collective participation. He states, “At Innovation Automotive, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. From investing in electric vehicle technology to adopting eco-friendly manufacturing practices, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint. By pioneering clean energy solutions and promoting responsible mobility, we aim to build a greener, smarter future for both our industry and the communities we serve.”
Innovating to Success
With an objective of providing the best quality solutions to the customers, saving time, and Innovation, Automotive has been at the forefront of implementing the latest technologies. From EVs to smart connectivity, technology is reshaping consumer expectations.
Samir adds, “At Innovation Automotive, we harness the latest technologies to exceed evolving consumer expectations. From cutting-edge electric vehicles to smart, connected systems, we integrate innovation into every aspect of our products. By staying ahead of trends and continuously re-imagining mobility solutions, we ensure our customers experience the future of transportation today.”
Growing Through Challenges
The successful companies are those that have tackled the challenges effectively and have created opportunities from these testing situations. The success story of Innovation Automotive is also that of resilience and commitment. Samir credits his team and their dedication for the success of the organization. He reflects through his words, “Leading in a fast-changing industry has its challenges, but my reputation in China and with major Syrian and global companies has allowed me to turn obstacles into opportunities, driving innovation, growth, and trust across the automotive sector.”
An Ecosystem of Innovation and Resilience
The secret of organizational success lies in the culture that nurtures the working methodology and team performance. Samir elaborates, “At Innovation Automotive, we empower our teams to think creatively, embrace change, and challenge the status quo. By valuing ideas and encouraging collaboration, we stay agile and lead innovation in a fast-evolving industry.”
Anticipating New Winds
An avid researcher and a passionate technology professional, Samir is well-connected with numerous professionals worldwide. He is active in mapping and estimating the new developments and latest technological developments. He is agile and alert about the role and the impact of the technological changes that will or can impact the current industrial ecosystem. Samir mentions saying, “In the next five years, electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and connected technologies will redefine the global automotive landscape. At Innovation Automotive, we leverage our expertise and partnerships to stay ahead, shaping the future of mobility.”
Customer-centric Policies
Customer feedback is also important in its organizational policies as it gives a factual insight into customer needs, expectations, and points of pain, allowing an organization to turn itself customer-centric. Through this feedback, companies can develop and fine-tune policies that directly enhance the customer experience, increase satisfaction, and maintain long-term relevance and growth. He points out, “At Innovation Automotive, we embrace customer feedback with open arms. Their insights guide our product development and business strategies, ensuring our innovations truly meet their needs.”
Growing Together
With a strong belief, Collaboration is key to progress in today’s automotive world, believes Samir, identifying that the key to new opportunities for growth and development is through a strong, regular, and well-managed networking process. He feels that today’s marketplace is filled with deep-rooted professionals who have high potential in offering multiple solutions to our needs and vice versa. He states, “At Innovation Automotive, we see collaboration as essential to driving progress. By working closely with partners, suppliers, and governments, we accelerate innovation, ensure quality, and create meaningful impact across the automotive ecosystem.”
Inspiring Tips on Sustainable Career
Samir is a passionate professional who is always prudent in offering the right guidance to professionals. He undertakes numerous learning initiatives with engaging training and development sessions to imbibe the spirit of sustainability in the minds of young professionals. In his advice to young professionals, Samir says, “My advice to young professionals is to stay curious, embrace learning, and be adaptable in a rapidly evolving industry. Build strong networks, lead with integrity, and never fear innovation or taking smart risks. Listen to your customers, think globally, and always aim to turn challenges into opportunities.”
Envisaging Total Global Sustainable Transportation
Innovation Automotive’s long-term vision is to lead the global automotive transformation with sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. Highlighting their long-term expansion objectives, Samir reveals, “From Syria to the UK and now Turkey, our strong international partnerships, including in China, enable us to drive technology, set new standards, and shape the future of mobility worldwide.”
Looking Ahead
As an ambitious and enthusiastic entrepreneur, Samir always looked deep into the automobile business. Identifying the need for developments in fuel efficiency, safety, comfort, and sustainable solutions, he dreamed of starting a business organization that addressed these needs. He concludes, “Whether through imports or local manufacturing, our vision kept evolving and gaining strength, especially after launching car assembly operations in Syria during 2019, 2020, and 2021. Today, Innovation Automotive stands as the forward-looking extension of a group of companies with deep roots and proven expertise in the automotive industry.”
