General Motors University campus to train young Saudis in automotive industry

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The GM University in Saudi Arabia would form the cornerstone of GM's Saudization programme, providing comprehensive training to young Saudi Nationals in a number of areas in the automotive industry including sales, technical support, after sales and retail administration.

General Motors long term vision is to have a GM University campus in every major market in the Middle East, supported by its local dealer partners and government educational institutions. The first such announcement was made at the end of 2004 when General Motors' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Wagoner, signed an agreement with the UAE Minister of Education to establish a Dubai campus at the Dubai Men's College.

The GM University training facilities would offer programmes ranging from short two to four month training courses aimed at entry level technicians all the way up to complete automotive apprenticeships lasting anywhere up to four years.

'General Motors and its retail partners enjoy an unrivalled history in Saudi Arabia,' commented Jim Cnossen, Marketing Director, General Motors Middle East. 'Our dealer partnerships started in 1947 and that relationship has developed into a network of four dealer partners - Aljomaih Automotive Company, Alissa Automotive, Omar Balubaid Company and Universal Motors Agencies (UMA), who have been at the forefront of the motor industry in Saudi Arabia.'

'In 2004 General Motors enjoyed record sales in the Middle East, driven by increased sales in Saudi Arabia of the Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Opel, Saab and Hummer brands,' he added. 'GM sold more than 45,000 units in Saudi in 2004, an increase of 45% over the previous year.'

'Saudi Arabia is a very important market for us, accounting for over 50 percent of our sales in the Middle East last year,' added Cnossen. 'Our commitment to Saudi Arabia and its people is stronger than ever and we see the GM University helping to create a pool of trained and qualified management, technicians and retail staff to help ensure our long term success in the market.'

In addition to the planned introduction of the GM University in the region, GM's commitment to the development of local talent has seen the company invest over US$6 million on training in the last four years. GM is also making significant investments in business infrastructure including an investment of US$60 million in a state-of-the-art Middle East Parts Distribution Centre in Dubai.

GM retailers have backed these investments with upgraded customer care programmes and 27 building projects, costing more than $ 95 million across the region, as the GM retailer network expands to new locations.