Karl Hamer promoted to Managing Director of Al Habtoor Motors

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The last two years have been a critical test period for the automobile sector in the UAE. And to survive the harsh conditions, automobile dealers have had to reinvent the way they marketed their vehicle brands. Every brand worth its name has taken a jolt and only the tough have survived.

Mitsubishi continues to carve a niche for itself during these trying times and Al Habtoor Motors the official dealer of the brand in the UAE has achieved an impressive growth rate. Mitsubishi’s market share grew by an impressive 25% in 2009 and was the only Japanese manufacturer that achieved such a growth rate.  Over the last two years, Al Habtoor Motors has moved from third to second position in the UAE for achieving substantial growth in vehicle sales.

Al Habtoor Motors continues to build on its established success by being the ‘Number One Dealer for Mitsubishi in the Middle East’ for the seventh year in a row. 

Thanks to the challenges posed by the current economic downturn, Al Habtoor Mo tors was quick to make diligent moves that aimed at enhancing sales processes through increased customer care, innovative marketing and an optimistic outlook for the entire team. 

Spearheading Al Habtoor Motors successful sales moves has been the former Director of Sales Mr. Karl Hamer who was recently promoted as the Managing Director. His stint with Al Habtoor Motors began in March 2008, at a time when the world stood face to face with the impending onset of recession.

He realized quickly the magnitude of the oncoming economic meltdown and began to restructure the sales department to suit the changing UAE market. He was responsible for establishing the Finance & Insurance department which enabled customers to receive appropriate Finance and Insurance for their vehicles. He was instrumental in introducing path breaking marketing and brand development in conjunction with the marketing team. His landmark changes instilled a renewed vigor, passion and drive for the sales team to ensure complete customer satisfaction. This in turn, ensured robust sales processes as customer’s inquiries to sales conversion ratios improved significantly.

Speaking on his new role as Managing Director, Karl Hamer commented “Now, my objectives will be to develop an automotive business that returns class-leading profitability. We will develop a quality automotive business that through Al Habtoor Motors brand will offer consistent quality backed by outstanding employees.”

According to Karl, competition has increased over the last 18 months due to global conditions and he believes only a dynamic and progressive approach will help the local automotive businesses to succeed.

“The automotive sector in the UAE is very vibrant and fast changing giving great opportunities for more dynamic business models where companies like Al Habtoor Motors and others will be well placed to prosper with new revenue streams particularly in the used cars and finance segments which will be at the forefront for our customers. We will see a closer working relationship with the financial institutions in the UAE and a dramatic move forward in customer relationship management” added Karl Hamer.

Amongst the various successful Mitsubishi models, Pajero the popular SUV continues to reign as the ‘Number One Selling Vehicle in the UAE’, while the popular Lancer car follows at a close ‘Number Two’.

Mitsubishi’s success has not been restricted to the passenger vehicle segment alone. Al Habtoor Motors has enabled Misubishi to lead the commercial vehicle segment as well. The Mitsubishi Canter and Fuso Trucks along with the Rosa buses have been leading the commercial vehicles segment for many years now. With their strong reputation for being robust workhorses, the commercial vehicles from Mitsubishi continue to enjoy their every growing popularity. 

Mitsubishi enthusiasts in the UAE will be treated to a surprise this year as Al Habtoor Motors prepares for Middle East launch of Mitsubishi’s new compact SUV in September 2010. In the New Year, Al Habtoor Motors aims to improve on its interactions with customers, clients and sales prospects by looking at new sales channels and seeking new opportunities, together with the newly appointed Sales Director Joe Rogan.

Al Habtoor Motors also plans to expand its presence in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain during 2011 with the addition of new showrooms and service centres which follows the newly opened RAK and Ajman showrooms and service centres.

The Middle East region boasts immense sporting talents, but only a few sports academies are there to hone the skills of the promising young talent. Identifying the need for world class facilities to shape up the future tennis stars of the UAE, Khalaf Al Habtoor, the visionary chairman of the Al Habtoor Gorup envisaged the Al Habtoor Tennis Academy.

Located at the idyllic Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa in Jumeirah, the Tennis Academy has one of the world’s top coaches Misel Klesinger at the helm of affairs. One of the high profile tennis coaches from Germany who has the credit of supervising over 200 coaching clubs in Bonn and Frankfurt, Klesinger brings with him over 16 years of experience working with high profile players in Germany and around the world.

Speaking on the role of Al Habtoor Tennis Academy, Chief Coach Misel said “The academy aims to give opportunity to young players to develop their skills. This will help them to improve and turn into extraordinary players. They are taught to compete from a very young age and by the time they are 8, 9 or 10 years they are little champions and have bigger chances to play in international tournaments.”

Introducing a budding champ Amir from Uzbekistan who recently turned 7, the coach demonstrated the young prodigy’s skills at playing single handed back strokes with finesse. The lad whose idolizes international champ Roger Federer, packs a lot of energy and skill for his age.

Misel outlined the role of Al Habtoor Tennis Academy as a premier institution in this region which focuses on discovering young talent, developing their skills and making them the stars of tomorrow.

The academy also benefits from being the venue for the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge the first Professional Ladies Tennis Event in the region. The students at the academy are part of the international tournament where they get to witness the players in action from close quarters.  

The academy boasts a wide cross section of players. There are around ten young players shaping to be world class players. They include the promising young Sonia Plotnikova (8 years / Russian Circuit Champion), Vladimir Polyakov (15 years / No 2, Russian Champion in ITF), and Yunos Ibragimov, Marietta Papzyan and Dania Krapivtsev - the rising world stars of tomorrow and who are all below 8 years.

In addition to the rising stars, there are also 40 to 50 regular players and over 100 players who play for hobby and recreation. 

Kareem Alayli, the Lebanese Champion and a No. 1 Davis Cup and ATP Player who regularly practices at the academy commented “The academy is a very unique and special idea. The facilities offered are world class and one of the best.”

He was full of praise for the coaches and staff at the academy as he concluded adding “the coaches are highly professional, very friendly and they are equipped to make professional players out of beginners.” 

From the looks of it, Al Habtoor Tennis Academy is definitely a proactive initiative that is poised to develop the future of the game in the region and will help the players from Dubai scale to greater heights to reach the highest ranks of the game.  

In keeping with the changing times, Al Habtoor Group is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary in a rather special way. Themed ‘Number 4’, the grand celebrations include a total of four events that will mark the special celebration.

The UAE based conglomerate has made elaborate plans to commemorate its 40th year of success by connecting with a wider base of people in the society through one of the most popular social networking site.

A press conference was organized to formally launch Al Habtoor Group’s page on Facebook. Mr. Mohammed Al Habtoor, CEO of Al Habtoor Group published the first page to mark the 40 day celebrations that culminate in the grand 40th anniversary event.

What makes it very special is that for every login member, Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, will be donating AED 4 to the Red Crescent Society to support the education of kids with special needs in the UAE. With this Al Habtoor Group opens up a unique way for individuals from around the world who will be instrumental for donating AED 4 each to Red Crescent without spending anything.

The final amount donated by Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor will be announced on the anniversary day. Meanwhile, the group plans to etch yet another success in the digital world after being successful in the real world. It’s presence in Facebook has already started attracting members from the UAE and across world.

Founded by Mr. Khalaf Al Habtoor, the Al Habtoor Group over the last 40 years has grown with the UAE. While best known for construction, it is globally recognized through its involvement in the hotel, automotive, real estate, education, insurance and publishing sectors.

One of the UAE’s most respected and successful businesses, the Al Habtoor Group today operates in the UAE and international markets. The highly qualified, experienced and professional multi-national team of over 40,000 is expected to grow in line with the group’s planned expansion program.

• Supports women’s sporting events in UAE

• Sponsors many sporting and leisure events, including Dubai Ladies Masters and Dubai Police Tournament

From left to right: Thomas Ferrand (Senior Director, Private Banking, Emirates NBD), Mohammed Bin Tarraf (Associate Director, Private Banking, Emirates NBD), Regina Kulikova (winner), Khalaf Al Habtoor, Sandra Zahlavova (runner-up), Mohamed Khalaf Al Habtoor.

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