Creating industry focal point in Dubai with new vehicle spotlight,

three-day exhibition and conference adds a taste of history

Dubai, UAE, 8th March 2010:  Classic commercial vehicles dating back to the early days of transport in the UAE will share the limelight with the latest models being launched in the Middle East market in Dubai this week.

Among them is a 1942 Dodge Power Wagon which was saved from the scrap yard after being left abandoned when a garage business shut down in Sharjah.

Restored and displayed at Sharjah Old Cars Club and Museum, it will now be part of a special historic attraction at Commercial Vehicles Middle East, the new three-day trade exhibition and conference getting under way inside the new Sheikh Saeed Halls at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

The museum was invited to display vehicles at the event by show organisers Streamline Marketing Group at the suggestion of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and Vice President of the FIA.

Sulayem, the Arab world’s leading motor sport figure, is widely respected in the international automotive business and will be speaking at the official opening of the region’s only specialised event for commercial vehicles, parts and services.

He has given the event the full support of the ATCUAE and expects the new trade show (www.commvehicles.com) to help deliver more major growth for the commercial vehicles industry in the region, and give it a focal point in the UAE.

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“The business, like the motor industry as a whole, has had a very tough time but there are positive signs of recovery,” he said. The ATCUAE is the official representative in the Emirates of FIVA, the international body for classic vehicles.

The event will be officially opened by Essa Abdulrahman Al Dossari, CEO, Public Transport Agency, RTA, who will deliver the opening address at the conference.

Arabian Automobiles, the dealer for Nissan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, will have a strong presence at the exhibition and are predicting growth of 5-10% for the commercial vehicles industry in the Middle East in 2010.

The event largely focuses on the future for an industry aiming for significant growth as the market recovers from the effects of the global economic crisis.

But the show will also have a historic element thanks to the museum which was opened two years ago this month by H.H.Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Sharing the exhibition stage with the latest range of vans, trucks and buses from major manufacturers such as Renault, Nissan, Hino and Foton will be a 1938 Dodge fire engine, a 1948 Chevrolet delivery vehicle and a 1954 Cadillac ambulance.

More than 100 classic vehicles dating back as far as 1917 are permanently on display at the Sharjah museum, and many, like the 68-year-old Dodge Power Wagon, have interesting stories to tell.

Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Jarwan, Board Director at the museum, came across the vehicle as it was about to be scrapped by Sharjah Municipality after being left abandoned when the garage holding it for the owner went out of business.

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“The man had been away for two years and when he returned he found the garage had closed down,” he said. “When I found it, it was worth about AED2,000 as scrap. We restored it and now it’s worth AED150,000.”

He now expects the owner to reclaim the vehicle, which is one of an estimated 8,000 classic vehicles in the UAE. The Sharjah club, which has more than 800 members, will use the Commercial Vehicles Middle East exhibition to showcase documents and other records tracing the history of the motor industry in the UAE.

This includes a 13th October, 1947 letter from the then Rulers of Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Al Kalbah nominating a local agent to represent the Ford Motor Company.

Leading manufacturers and suppliers flock to the UAE for the region’s only specialised trade event for commercial vehicles

Dubai, UAE 7 March 2010:  The commercial vehicles market in the Middle East is bouncing back from the effects of the global downturn, with major manufacturer Nissan forecasting 5-10 per cent growth for the industry in the GCC this year.

While the commercial vehicles industry experienced a decline of 15-20 per cent across the GCC due to the global downturn, Nissan is optimistic that the market will experience growth in 2010.

Michel Ayat, CEO of Arabian Automobiles Company said: “For the period of April 2009 to January 2010, sales in the GCC commercial vehicles market were just over 195,000 units, and Nissan sold approximately 30,000 units out of this figure.

“It is relatively early to make predictions for 2011, but we are looking forward to an improvement in the market and government initiatives which will help enhance the commercial vehicles industry.”

Arabian Automobiles, the exclusive dealer of Nissan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, is participating in Commercial Vehicles Middle East, which opens on Tuesday in Dubai, to showcase Nissan’s commercial vehicles range and to reinforce Nissan as a key player in this segment.

The entire Nissan commercial vehicle range will be on display at the three-day event, which includes the Nissan Pick-Up, Urvan Microbus, Urvan Panel Van, Civilian Bus and the Navara Pick-Up.

“The Nissan brand has over the years developed an impressive line-up of commercial vehicles which are popular in the commercial vehicles industry and well-appreciated among users,” said Ayat. “For the first time, via Commercial Vehicles Middle East, Arabian Automobiles has the required platform to showcase this line-up to the UAE market.

“Nissan will target professional decision makers who deal with commercial vehicle fleet procurement and government departments at the exhibition,” he added.

The event organisers Streamline Marketing Group have attracted the support of leading government departments and transport agencies including the RTA, Dubai Municipality and Emirates Transport, who are attending the show to source vehicles and promote various transport initiatives.

Nick Webb, Director of Streamline Marketing Group said: “Approximately 60 exhibitors have confirmed for the launch event including Renault, Al Futtaim – Hino, Western Auto (Foton) and Arabian Automobiles (Nissan), some of the most well-known brands in the global commercial vehicles industry.”

Commercial Vehicles Middle East will have a strong international presence, with exhibitors from the US, Russia, Germany, Iran, Portugal, Turkey, Italy and the Netherlands. The UK, China and Taiwan will have national pavilions at the show, highlighting their keen interest in the region’s commercial vehicles industry.

The Commercial Vehicles Conference will run alongside the exhibition from 9-10 March.

Over 25 transport and fleet experts will highlight ways for commercial vehicles operators to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Key themes to be covered include managing the safety and environmental impact of fleets, fuel management, ownership and financial best practice and technological advances.

The opening session of the conference will include a presentation by Tom Nauwelaerts, Head of Logistics, Al Futtaim Logistics on the ‘In-house transportation function and its impact on your business’.

The session will also include a panel discussion on the ‘Economic slowdown and the transport industry’, with input from Yousif Al Ali, Director of Fleet Operations, Dubai Taxi Company – RTA; Jason Farhat, General Manager, Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority; Fabio Castello, General Manager, Scania Middle East and Abdul Salam Al Hammadi, Head of Vehicle, Equipment and Maintenance, Dubai Municipality Transportation Department.

Yousif Al Ali will also provide advice on ‘Reducing fuel emissions’ during a later session on ‘Managing the environmental impact of fleets’.

On the second day, Marc Legeay, Marketing Director, Renault Trucks will provide an analysis on ‘The lifetime cost’ of a vehicle during the session on efficiency and effectiveness and Fabio Castello, General Manager, Scania Middle East will offer ‘Practical strategies to ensure high fuel efficiency’.

• Taurus offers more user-friendly technologies than other cars twice its price, including 10 class-executive technologies not available from any other manufacturer.
• Dubbed America’s most innovative sedan; named one of “Top 10 Family Cars from 2010” and awarded “Best Resale Value” accolade by editors of Kelley Blue Book.
• Earned the U.S. government’s top five-star ratings for driver and passenger safety in front and side crash tests.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 03, 2010 – The new hi-tech 2010 Ford Taurus created a revolution in the full-size category earlier this year when it debuted on the Middle East motoring scene, giving a tantalizing glimpse into the motoring features of the future. And the only way is up for Ford’s flagship model as it sets the trend for what consumers can expect from the Ford brand in the near future.

The highly acclaimed new Taurus has already been dubbed America’s most innovative sedan, winning Edmunds.com’s Technology Breakthrough Award and appearing as the official vehicle of the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show and last year’s GITEX in Dubai. Techies, safety experts, drivers and critics have all put the Taurus in a class of its own.

The new Taurus was also named among the “Top 10 Family Cars for 2010,” according to the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s (kbb.com), who also recently awarded the new model the “Best Resale Value” accolade in the full-size car category, because it offered a great combination of value, technology and style all wrapped up into a very good price.

“There are far too many claims of ‘a revolution’ in motoring,” said Hussein Murad, director of sales, Ford Middle East. “But when you look at the advances that have been made in the Taurus, you have to take a step back. These incredible features are normally something that could only ever have come with a luxury car and a luxury price tag. Taurus is a smart car in every sense. It is very much a case of innovation catering to the customer’s needs rather than adding gimmicks.”

In addition to the innovative Ford SYNC® that provides voice-activated telecommunications and entertainment connectivity, the Taurus also offers Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert, cooled Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion™, and a second generation SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad.

Other class-exclusive features include:
• MyKey™ – a programmable feature that allows parents or fleet operators to limit top speed and audio volume and set speed alert chimes to encourage safer driving. 
• Sony Audio® System – a surround-sound system that delivers Dolby® Digital 5.1 sound through 12 high-quality Sony speakers.
• Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler – a self-seal system without a traditional fuel cap. No lost, dangling or spinning caps. It seals automatically every time.

And safer driving is what has made the Taurus even more remarkable. Rather than sacrifice some of the factors that contribute to Ford’s industry-leading safety record, much of the technology is based around it.

The new Taurus features crash-avoidance technologies, such as a segment-first, radar-based forward collision warning system that helps drivers avoid accidents. The system uses a radar sensor to detect moving vehicles ahead and provides a visual “heads-up” warning signal and an audible warning when slower-moving traffic is detected ahead.
 
The Taurus has been named as the Ford safety flagship and has earned top five-star crash ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Ford Motor Company has more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” and NHTSA five-star ratings than any other automaker.

Murad believes that safety should always walk hand in hand with motoring technology. “What Ford has achieved with the new 2010 Taurus is a unique experience coupled with unprecedented protection. The safety technologies that are available in the Taurus are barely available in vehicles twice its price. It is a fantastic achievement and great news for drivers, owners and passengers.”

The new Taurus also features some of the industry’s first side air bags that use pressure pulses from a side impact to deploy up to 30 percent faster than traditional air bags with acceleration-based sensors.
 
Other key safety features include:
• Side Protection and Cabin Enhancement (SPACE®) Architecture is comprised of a hydroformed cross-car beam embedded in the floor between the door frames, providing additional strength in the side of the vehicle.
• Trinity Front Crash Architecture – a new body structure optimized for strength and stiffness. The energy-absorbing structure features octagonal front frame rails, engine cradle/front subframe and “shotgun” front structural members designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment.
• AdvanceTrac® with ESC (Electronic Stability Control) constantly monitors road conditions and the driver’s responses, using sensors to detect and measure the vehicle’s oversteer and yaw to help detect and prevent potentially dangerous conditions.

“Consumers demand the latest on-the-go innovation in their cars and Ford vehicles are increasingly being built with cutting-edge technology that makes driving safer and more enjoyable. The Taurus is the perfect example of bringing premium features at an affordable price,” added Murad.

• World’s first brake control system developed specifically for motorcycles
• Potential to greatly advance motorcycle safety
• Smallest and lightest life-saving technology receives 3rd innovation award

Bosch has recently developed a new generation antilock braking system (ABS) for motorcycles which has the potential to prevent 38 per cent of motorcycle accidents involving personal injury and 48 per cent of those leading to fatalities, according to a study published by the Swedish highways authority. Further, a study published by the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) concludes that fatality rates would be reduced by 12 per cent if all motorcycles were equipped with ABS.

The lightweight, cost-optimized system developed by Bosch has received the ‘Innovation and Environment’ award from Germany-based ADAC, Europe’s largest automobile club, making Bosch the third time recipient of this award since 2005. The pioneering equipment weighs only 0.7 kilograms, features a cost-effective design, and is half the size and weight of previous motorcycle ABS systems made by Bosch. It is part of a new Bosch modular generation which was introduced in November 2009. All other ABS systems currently on the market are based on passenger-car technology.

“This new system has the potential to greatly advance road safety initiatives throughout the Middle East, which has a strong base of motorcycling enthusiasts,” said Volker Bischoff, General Manager, Robert Bosch ME.

Although the Middle East in general has a high incidence of road accidents, Saudi traffic authorities say that fatalities in the Kingdom have been decreasing since 2004 due to improved traffic laws. Motorcycle accidents in particular occur due mainly to poor driving experience and night driving with poor illumination. The introduction of new technologies such as Bosch’s new braking system would perfectly complement the government’s enforcement of stricter motorcycling laws.
 
The active safety mechanism used by the new Bosch product enables motorcyclists to brake safely in emergency situations without locking their wheels and significantly reduces braking distance. Only every tenth new motorcycle manufactured in Europe adopts this kind of system, while on a global scale only every one-hundredth is equipped. In comparison, around 80 per cent of passenger cars worldwide use it.

Bosch has been manufacturing brake control systems for motorcycles since 1994. Its new ABS system was designed by engineers at the company’s competence center in Japan.

Figures for Half One (H1) 2009 on par with H1 2007; total direct trade in 2009 registering at US$2.4 bn

Complete 2009 figures to be issued during Automechanika Middle East in May 2010

News is good for the Automotive Parts and Accessories industry in Dubai with total direct trade figures registering US$2.4bn in the first half of the year  2009, on a par with 2007 figures. 

In 2008, Japan registered as the largest importer for Dubai with Iran proving to be one of the key destinations for re-exports.  Spare Parts & Accessories represent the Dubai automotive industry’s largest segment at 52% of its im-port and re-export market. 

Mr. Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer, Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH said: “These latest figures from DP World Statistics Department for the first half of the year just past bring welcome news to the industry and are testa-ment to the fact that the sector remains robust.”

He also added: “General consensus is that figures from Half Two of 2009, which will be revealed at our show in May, will be even stronger.  This builds confidence that the automotive aftermarket remains in high stead for 2010 and beyond.  We are excited about the 8th edition of Automechanika, which has already attracted key industry figures and expectations are high for a high quality and successful event.”

DP World Statistics Department will release the complete figures for 2009 at Automechanika Middle East 2010.  Automechanika Middle East is the region’s  leading trade fair for the automotive aftermarket sector and is organised by Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH. 

In 2008, alongside Japan, other key import countries for Dubai included U.S.A., Germany, U.K., China and South Korea.  Dubai’s automotive re-export market mainly features countries from the Middle East and Africa re-gion including Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq, amongst others.  During Automechanika 2009, 26% of registered visitors were importers and 17% were exporters.  A total of 958 exhibitors participated in the show repre-senting 46 different countries. 

Parts & accessories represent the largest group for imports and exports in the automotive market with Germany being the number one source market and Iran representing the largest export destination.  54% of those parts & acces-sories imported in 2008 were then re-exported. 

The All Purpose Versatile Mitsubishi L200 gets a stunningly stylish face lift with the new passenger version called the L200-HAWK. This vehicle offers the performance of a 4WD passenger vehicle and the ruggedness of a pick-up.

Breaking away from the confines of the past, the cockpit lets you enjoy the thrill of the drive in total comfort. Sporty blue faced meters are nestled within the sinuous instrument panel alongside illuminated controls, awaiting your command. The L200-HAWK offers toughness and strength to deliver freedom in the widest variety of situations. The L200-HAWK is an ideal choice for those who need a rugged partner on road or off road, at work or at play, be it at the sea, in the desert or on the road.

The highly economical L200-HAWK comes in a 3.5L 24-valve V6 SOHC ECI-MULTI engine that delivers raw power of 194hp and a torque of 32.2kg-m, for ample pull. The vehicle also comes equipped with an easy select 4WD system, full power options, ABS, dual airbags, CD player, leather seats with driver’s power seat, keyless entry and front fog lamps. This model is available in manual and automatic transmission.

In addition to add to its sporty and stylish features, it comes equipped with Front and Rear Chrome Guards, Chrome Tail Lamp Trims, Side Steps, Fog Lamps, Extra Thick Resin Cargo Bed Liner that protects the steel bed from damage, and a Black Lockable Cargo Bed Cover that operates on 2 telescopic hinges. The vehicle is suitable for both families and individuals who want an enjoyable and distinct leisure vehicle which goes well - for all that’s at home, outside a 5-star hotel or at camping in the desert.

“The new L200-HAWK has received quite an overwhelming response from both visitors and journalists during the Dubai Motor Show. It has managed to break the conventional barriers of an APV and positions itself in a niche offering both families as well as off-roaders a stylish yet powerful recreational vehicle” commented Mr Roger Ghosn, Marketing Manager, Al Habtoor Motors    

• Full year net income of $2.7 billion, a $17.5 billion improvement from a year ago.
• Sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury outperform regional industry average for 2009.
• New managing director takes the helms of Ford Middle East regional operations.
• Product drive in full gear with hot new models just around the corner.
• Dealership network expansions planned in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq for 2010.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, February 2, 2010 – Ford has quite a few reasons to smile lately, with the company posting an outstanding full year net income of $2.7 billion. Ford, the only one of the Big Three U.S. automakers that did not opt for a government bailout last year, posted an improvement of US$17.5 billion from 2008, or 86 cents per share, driven in part by favorable net pricing, structural cost reductions, net gains on debt reduction actions and strong Ford Credit results.

This marks Ford’s first full year of positive net income since 2005 and a $17.5 billion improvement over 2008, and the company expects to be profitable for full year 2010 on a pre-tax basis excluding special items, for North America, total Automotive and total company, with positive Automotive operating-related cash flow.

Ford also scored a historic doubleheader during the recent North American International Motorshow after sweeping both North American Car and Truck of the Year titles for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Transit Connect. This was followed by the launch of its innovative MyFord new in-vehicle connectivity, where yet again, Ford set the benchmark in human machine interface technologies.

And Ford Middle East is no stranger to this positive start, as it kicks off 2010 in full swing, having outperformed the industry in most of the major regional markets and consequently gained market share in 2009, thanks to a positive performance from the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.

Full year vehicle sales from the three brands outperformed the regional industry average by more than 10 per cent. The regional average was estimated to have dropped by 17 per cent, according to Ford Middle East’s new managing director, Larry Prein.

“We saw an impressive growth in market share last year, despite the challenging market conditions, thanks to a healthy combination of strong new products and our tremendously dedicated and customer-driven dealer network,” said Prein, who recently took the helm of Ford Motor Company’s Middle Eastern operations, replacing Waldo Galan. Prein comes from a similar position running Ford’s Caribbean and Central America business across 24 countries. He brings extensive international experience, having held senior positions in Mazda Japan based in Hiroshima, Ford Asia Pacific Operations, Ford of Australia, as well as in the United States at Jaguar Cars, Lincoln Mercury and Ford Divisions.

“These achievements further confirm that our ONE Ford plan is working, delivering industry-leading products and technologies,” he added. “Our product offering is the best we have ever had across our showrooms, with almost every model being a segment leader. Today, Ford is not only offering some of the highest quality standards across the industry, but also leading the pack with the number of trend-setting innovations. Our customers are not only investing in high quality, dependable products, with outstanding technologies, but they’re also getting the best value for money. And what better way to give their approval than voting by their wallets?” he continued.

During the course of the year, Ford’s sales kept their energetic momentum quarter over quarter, having registered nearly 15 per cent growth in Q2 over Q1, and an additional 10 per cent growth in Q3 over Q2, while keeping the momentum in the final quarter. And the outlook for 2010 remains positive according to Prein, thanks to planned network expansions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, combined with strong product offerings.

Ford’s product drive remains on track for 2010 with at least five new products making their way into the region, hot off the heels of the high-tech 2010 Taurus, and the mighty off-roader F-150 SVT Raptor and its new desert conquering 400hp 6.2L engine. The new 2011 Mustang leads these new launches with its new powertrains: the awesome 5.0L V8 with its 400+ net hp and the more economical 3.7L V6 with its 305 net hp output.

“This year represents an important milestone for Ford in the Middle East thanks to the key initiatives we are working on with our dealers. We offer some of the best vehicle ownership experiences, sales thru service. We have a strong dealer network totally committed to growing the Ford customer base and world-class products that clearly set the tone for what to expect from the brand in the near future,” he concluded.

Dubai, UAE; February 2, 2010: Classic car collectors can now register their cars for the annual Downtown Dubai Classic Car Show, organised by Emaar Properties at Emaar Boulevard in Downtown. Following the huge success of the show in 2009, the second Classic Car Show will be extended to four days from February 18 to 21, 2010.

Emaar is organising the event with the support of the Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates (ATCUAE) - a member of the ‘Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens’ (FIVA), the world-wide authority for historic vehicles.

Classic car owners, interested in participating in the event, can register directly to

www.emaar.ae. Registration closes on February 11, 2010. 

For further enquires email events@emaar.ae or call +971 4 367 3664

• Vehicle emissions account for over 75 per cent of Dubai’s air pollutants
• Bosch Emission Systems to start series production in Q3 2010

Volker Boschoff, GM, Bosch ME

Robert Bosch GmbH has announced that it has recently signed a joint venture agreement to establish Bosch Emission Systems GmbH & Co. KG, which will specialise in the area of diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems, catering to manufacturers of construction machinery and commercial vehicles. The UAE represents a key target market of Bosch Emission Systems as statistics from the Environment Department of Dubai Municipality has shown that vehicles in the emirate collectively take 3.1 million trips a day, a figure expected to dramatically increase to 13.1 million by 2020, resulting in a further surge in the level of vehicle emissions, which already account for over 75 per cent of Dubai’s air pollutants.

Taking advantage of the core exhaust aftertreatment expertise of the joint venture’s stakeholders – Robert Bosch, DEUTZ AG and Eberspächer GmbH & Co KG – Bosch Emission Systems will develop complete system solutions for construction, agricultural machinery and various commercial vehicles. Bosch Emission Systems offers complete systems that incorporate electronic control and, if required, optimised burner technology for the regeneration of diesel particulate filters. The new company has started operations in January 2010, while series production is poised to commence in the third quarter of 2010.

“The UAE and the rest of the GCC collectively represent a key market for Bosch Emission Systems in view of the growing concern of authorities in the region about rising emission levels from non-road and on-road vehicles. In this regard, we believe that more stringent regulations will be implemented in the future, which will subsequently trigger a significant increase in demand for exhaust aftertreatment systems,” said Volker Bischoff, General Manager, Robert Bosch ME.

Bosch Emission Systems’ headquarters is located in Stuttgart, Germany, which houses its engineering, sales and administration offices. Targeting manufacturers of engines and machinery worldwide, the company’s product range is tailored to mobile machinery such as excavators, wheel loaders, tractors, and combine harvesters, as well as to stationary machinery. Commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses are a further area of use.

Technologically, the concept of the joint venture is based on a modular principle, which enables Bosch Emission Systems to draw on a large pool of standard components in developing a customised exhaust aftertreatment system that suits any vehicle or machine. Bosch brings its expertise and know-how as an engine manufacturer to the joint venture, having been a global leader in building customised solutions for clients worldwide.

By exclusively using standardised parts, Bosch Emission Systems secures a clear competitive advantage when it comes to cost as well as time efficiency, particularly during development and validation. It also enhances flexibility; for individually designed tubing solutions, this means that the restricted installation space in mobile machinery can be used in the best possible way.

The modular concept likewise allows Bosch Emission Systems to fill a gap in the market as it provides effective solutions whenever the cost of an individually engineered solution of the kind seen in large-scale series production for on-road vehicles is too high.

“Our goal is to establish Bosch Emission Systems as a technologically advanced and leading supplier of complete diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems. We have pooled together the best and most experienced engineers and corporate executives to be part of the pioneering team behind Bosch Emission Systems, which has been established with a distinct corporate identity and works independently of its parent companies. From the outset, the joint venture will stand for high quality because the associates assigned to the company have comprehensive experience and know-how relating to a very wide range of applications,” concluded Bischoff.

Yann Lassade

Doha, Qatar; January 25, 2010: Qatar Automobiles Company – Mitsubishi and FUSO General Distributors for Qatar are pleased to announce the appointment of their new General Manager Mr. Yann Lassade. Previous GM Mr. Khalid Shaaban has been promoted to Head NBK Automobiles – Mercedes Benz Car & Commercial General Distributors – Qatar.
 
Mr. Lassade brings many years experience of working in the Gulf at Senior levels having held positions in After Sales and Sales & Marketing. He has worked for such premiere brands as Land Rover and General Motors. Mr. Lassade is highly energized by this new opportunity and challenge of managing one of the largest passenger car and light commercial vehicle businesses in Qatar for the prestigious group, NBK. Yann comments “I have come to Qatar to take on this new challenge in this very dynamic market with a highly professional organization – NBK and QAC. I intend to maximize my past experience which I have accumulated over the years to further continue the successes of QAC & Mitsubishi - Qatar.  My first objective will be to focus on the Customer experience within our Sales and After Sales operations where I believe the customer must always come first in all aspects,  I look forward to working with the excellent Management Team at QAC and NBK.”