Al Habtoor Motors opens new Bentley Emirates showroom in Abu Dhabi with the EXP 9 F SUV concept and new Mulsanne EIS

The opening of the new showroom arrives after an excellent start to the year with sales in the UAE accounting for over 50% of total sales in the Middle East. In fact, 2012 is set to be the most successful year in the region for Bentley Motors Middle East and the new Bentley Emirates showroom in Abu Dhabi will further enhance customer service and sales.

To mark this special occasion attendees had the opportunity to see two Middle East debuts from Bentley. The first model to capture the attention of the VIP guests was the EXP 9 F. This concept is Bentley's vision of an ultra-performance and ultra-luxury SUV. In addition to its dynamic and sporty design, EXP 9 F combines a spacious, versatile cabin and commanding driving position. As with all the Bentley models the EXP 9 F will also have all the hallmarks that make Bentley vehicles luxurious and unique, with handcrafted wood, leather and polished metals such as aluminum, bronze and gunmetal creating a sense of British luxury.

Since its unveil at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the concept has been visiting prestigious international events across the globe such as Pebble Beach Concours D' Elegance in North America, Beijing International Motor Show in China and Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK.

The second premiere at the event is the Mulsanne Executive Interior Specification which is now available to order in the Middle East. It offers an impressive array of bespoke business, comfort and entertainment features. Designed to conduct business on the move the beautifully integrated multi-media functions are fitted seamlessly into the sumptuous and comfortable cabin which takes Bentley's craftsmen and women over 170 hours to create.

The Mulsanne rear passengers receive individual Apple iPad workstations with full internet access (integrated into retractable picnic tables) whilst a large, drop-down LED screen ensures that a wide selection of movies as well as television can also be enjoyed. Renowned for its painstaking attention to detail, Bentley has added a range of finishing touches including a Tibaldi fountain pen from its specially commissioned collection and for the first time on a Bentley, a distinctive Yachting-style veneer with light and dark tones, features throughout the cabin.

Guests invited to the opening of the new showroom also had the opportunity to see craftsmen from Bentley's factory in Crewe demonstrating the skills that they have honed and perfected over the many hours spent on each of the Bentley's cars produced.

George Duncan, Director, Al Habtoor Motors, Prestige Cars commented, "This is a landmark day for everyone at Al Habtoor Motors and Bentley. The opening of the new showroom is a testament to the growth that we have enjoyed in the UAE. We aim to ensure that every one of our customers has full satisfaction in our delivery of service, from entering the showroom to aftersales. We have many customers in Abu Dhabi and look forward to introducing new customers to Bentley."

A further development from Al Habtoor Motors is the opening of a new, state-of-the art, 189,000 sq ft. workshop in Dubai which is the biggest Bentley workshop in the world. The Bentley workshop has 190 service bays, a twelve car Bentley showroom, a parts warehouse and state-of-the-art paint and body shop technology. It also has a manufacturer-backed heritage restoration area for classic vehicles.

The Al Habtoor Motors workshop also has a Bentley Technicians' Training School where apprentices from around the world will attend training courses in Dubai.

Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and India Chris Buxton said, "This has been an exceptional year for Bentley in the Middle East, already one of our most important markets it continued to grow above our expectation, with the opening of this Abu Dhabi showroom Al Habtoor has demonstrated its efforts to better accommodate our customers here in the UAE, this is something we are grateful for. To add to this very unique and special occasion we have the Middle East debut of both the EXP9 F and the Mulsanne flagship Executive Interior Specification, both of which we have received great feedback in the Middle East."