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For 2009, the company remains focused on successfully advancing its product-led transformation plan by delivering all-new segment-leading quality products that customers want, featuring outstanding fuel economy, unique technologies and innovations.
'Ford has registered encouraging growth levels in the GCC during the past few years and 2008 is no different, thanks to the outstanding support and confidence that our dealers have put into our brands and the business,' said Hussein Murad, Director of Sales for Ford Middle East.
'But ultimately we owe this success to our customers who put their trust in our products, as they continue to realize the exceptional value that Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products offer, coupled with the outstanding support that our dealers provide throughout their dealerships,' he said.
Commenting on the outlook for 2009, Murad added, 'We recognize the economic challenges currently facing us, but thanks to our careful planning we are positioned to stay focused on our roadmap to deliver quality, fuel efficiency, safety, and technology in cars that our customers want and value. We are more confident than ever that we have the right plan, the right products and the right partners to withstand these challenging times and be well positioned for profitable growth in the future.'
UAE emerged as a major growth market for Ford, recording an overall growth of 35% over 2007, driven by over 60% increase in sales of trucks and SUV's across all three brands.
The growth was further fuelled by increased dealership representation of Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors, the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealers in the UAE. Their dedication to the Brand as well as their relentless drive for self improvement, customer satisfaction and functional facility development throughout the UAE, have allowed them to achieve record breaking sales levels in 2008. Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors continued focus on growing the business, have yielded significant year over year sales improvements.
Together, over the last 5 years, over $200m was invested in facility developments in the UAE alone, with 8 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury facilities in total representing and servicing Ford Motor Company products.
'We enjoy a great relationship with our dealers. They are the best in the business bar none,' added Murad. 'The significance of these investments lies precisely in the joint dedication of Ford and its dealers to our customers here. We are thrilled to witness this demonstration of confidence of both Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors in the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands, and we commend them for their ongoing support and commitment to growing our customer base.'
'Their efforts don't stop at investing in new dealerships, but they go beyond in offering what the customer really wants and demands: an outstanding ownership experience, both in sales and service. And we continue to relentlessly pursue various joint training programs for all team members in order to provide our customers just that,' Murad explained.
Outstanding Products
As it stands, the Ford brand boasts the richest passenger car lineup in the region with seven distinct models, almost all of which would be completely refreshed by mid 2009. The same development is evident on the utility vehicle lineup, where with the addition of the Flex which was launched in November, Ford offers seven unique models, each one delivering on a specific customer need.For 2009, the Ford lineup will see the addition of exciting new models including the all-new 09 Fiesta, the legendary 2010 Mustang, followed by the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Taurus.
The Lincoln brand, will enhance it's showroom by featuring the debut of the all-new 2010 Lincoln MKT crossover next to the recently launched new flagship full-size sedan, the MKS. Both these products are replete with segment leading design, safety and technology leadership features, that coupled with class leading quality are sure to fulfill every customer's desire in a luxury vehicle. Mercury will also see the introduction of the all-new 2010 Mercury Milan. Again, the Milan will bring class leading quality and comfort to the sophisticated consumer.
Murad highlighted that the Middle East region representing nearly half of Ford Motor Company's export operations, makes it a crucial growth market. 'The region's dynamism and continued growth are sure to keep up the buzz in the automotive industry in the years to come. As a company with more than 60-years of heritage in the region, Ford Middle East is upbeat about the growth opportunities in 2009,' he concluded.
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Posted by Rana Mesbah
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