Motor Show rounds off bumper year for Ford

New products, all of them on show in Dubai over the last few days, are set to make a big impact in the GCC next year as the company penetrates new market segments and strengthens its relationship with existing customers to whom Ford products are already household names.

"GCC volumes are up more than 20 per cent over the last 12 months and we can't wait to repeat the great efforts of 2003 in 2004," said Jim Benintende, managing director, Ford Middle East. "The extensive range of vehicles on display at the Middle East International Motor Show left nobody in doubt that Ford's dealers in the region are a one-stop shop for every kind of automobile, from class-leading small cars like the Focus and Fiesta to powerful and luxurious trucks and SUVs like the F-150 and Expedition."

Industry experts say the all-new Ford F-150 - America's best-selling truck for the past 26 years - will be one of many Ford products to watch in the GCC next year as the rich experience of Ford Motor Company in truck engineering makes its presence felt in the region.

The latest generation of the F-150 builds on more than 50 years of F-Series heritage and offers a host of refinements from top to bottom, from a new frame to a re-designed powertrain. Critics have been bowled over by its combination of capability and convenience, and the overall build quality and styling of the vehicle have earned full marks too.

"The F-150 adds a new dimension to Ford's truck and SUV range and it contrasts perfectly with the brand's sedan and small car range," added Benintende. "Customers can choose from traditional US muscle or European refinement, or a subtle combination of both."

Building on the impact of Europe-made cars like the Mondeo, which already accounts for about 15 per cent of regional Ford sales despite being launched just over a year ago, Ford is gearing up to introduce the all-new Ford Fiesta, a revitalized edition of one of the best known - and most successful - small cars on the road in Europe.

Benintende added: "This is a vehicle that will open new doors for the brand in all GCC markets and it comes with a credibility factor few small-size cars can match. The car incorporates the key driving dynamics of the Ford Focus and it's perfectly placed to take advantage of the growing demand for small-size cars in the region."