DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 16, 2026--
On November 30, 2025, Hongqi Golden Sunflower’s Guoya made its overseas debut at the SailGP Abu Dhabi Grand Final as the ceremonial vehicle for the championship trophy. The simultaneous Middle East Pre-Sales Launch marked the brand’s official entry into this strategic market and a key step in its global expansion.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115321806/en/
With its exceptional expression of Eastern aesthetics and masterful craftsmanship, the Hongqi Golden Sunflower Guoya was honored with the “Best Ultra Luxury Car of the Festive Season” Quarterly Award, presented by Gulf Business.
Gulf Business is a leading Middle Eastern business and finance publication, read by high-net-worth entrepreneurs, senior multinational executives, sovereign fund managers, and royal family members. In its coverage, the publication praised Guoya for its strong appeal to the Middle Eastern market, noting that regional attention favors models combining craftsmanship, sensory experience, and a distinct design identity. Guoya’s design language, contrasting with established European luxury conventions, enhanced its visibility during the festive period.
As a leading and influential business media authority, Gulf Business coverage resonated strongly across the Middle East’s professional media landscape, prompting in-depth analysis and discussion.
The authoritative automotive publication GEARS Middle East notes: “Hongqi’s global rise is deliberate, driven by a clear brand identity. With the GUOYA, Hongqi positions itself not merely as a luxury competitor, but as the pioneer of a new movement—Oriental Ultra Luxury.”
The professional automotive media outlet Drive Arabia praised Guoya as a flagship sedan offering a distinct alternative in the ultra-luxury segment, noting that rather than focusing solely on performance or technology, it uniquely combines cultural symbolism, craftsmanship, and engineering depth.
The leading automotive consumer platform, YallaMotor observed that, driven by new wealth demographics and a desire for personal expression, buyers are embracing Oriental ultra-luxury. The Hongqi Golden Sunflower GUOYA exemplifies this shift, where luxury is defined by cultural storytelling, engineering depth, and a new vision of exclusivity.
The Hongqi Golden Sunflower Guoya combines advanced technology with Eastern aesthetics to define a confident, globally recognized ultra-luxury brand. With leader-level safety, refined craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality, it delivers a secure and effortless driving experience. Inspired by China’s cultural heritage, Guoya reinterprets traditional craftsmanship through modern design. Following its Middle East pre-sales launch, Guoya received Gulf Business’s “Best Ultra-Luxury Car of the Festive Season” Quarterly Award, marking an important milestone in its global recognition.
Hongqi Golden Sunflower Guoya Receives Recognition from Gulf Business
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.
“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”
Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.
“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”
Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.
Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.
“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.
The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.
He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.
“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”
Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”
“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)
