Nasser Bin Khaled opens flagship Mercedes-Benz showroom in Qatar

The company quickly gained a reputable standing in the country and GCC region as the range of activities widened to cover main industrial, commercial and trading sectors.

NBK has played a significant role in Qatar Economic progress and to mark the occasion invited Dr. Joachim Schmidt, President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Africa, Asia, Middle East and Central/Eastern Europe (DCAA), and Mr. Nicholas Speeks, President and CEO DaimlerChrysler Middle East (DCME), Qatari businessmen and VIPs and press and media people to the opening of its new flagship Mercedes-Benz showroom.

"On behalf of NBK we welcome the delegation from DCME and DCAA," said Mr. Paul Maryan, NBK, COO, Automotive. "Today is a very special day for NBK Holdings. To have such a high powered team here in Doha further emphasises the importance that DaimlerChrysler places on the Qatari market and NBK as its long standing Mercedes-Benz partner. We are certain that our business development strategies for continued growth ably supported by our excellent relationship with DC will reconfirm our long-term commitment to the Mercedes Brand."

H.E. Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al-Thani, President, NBK Group added: "We are proud of our success for the last 55 years. NBK has been able to able to play a significant role in the Qatar economy and we have powerful feelings towards the growth of the Group and its continued expansion to meet challenges posed by the anticipated growth of Qatar.

"Through the wisdom and leadership of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, we were able to leverage our local heritage to global recognition and became one of the leading groups in the region."

He explained that the occasion also marked the launch of a new logo for NBK Group which integrated the Group's heritage with its modern vision.

"This magnificent new showroom reflects the importance of the State of Qatar as a market for our products as well as that of our partner within our Middle East organisation and it bodes well for our growing number of customers in and around Doha as a focal point for our expanding range of cars and SUV,"

said Dr. Schmidt.

"In fact, this new showroom enables us to show every model we make, including those from AMG, Maybach and McLaren. More importantly, it enables our growing number of customers to understand and appreciate just what it is that makes our brands and our products so special. And it does so in a tailor-made environment," he added.

"We have already had the opportunity to congratulate our partner on exceeding 1,000 passenger car sales in 2005. This represented a 100 percent increase on 2004 and we have reason to believe that sales will reach 1,200 this year," said Dr. Schmidt.

He added that on the commercial vehicles front, NBKS was currently running at a level of 20 per cent above last year's sales with an expectation of around 300 units in 2006.

"We are also very pleased to have received an order from the government for 541 Mercedes-Benz buses with the hope that we will be asked to provide more for visitors to what we are sure will be a very successful Asian Games," Dr. Schmidt concluded.

Mr. Ayman A. Mohamad-Ali, General Manager, Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles said : "Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles are proud to have constructed the Mercedes-Benz showroom as well as Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Holding and group of companies headquarters that will become a unique landmark and monument in our beloved State of Qatar."