Al Habtoor Motors is firing on all cylinders! The company dominated the 12th Dubai International Auto Show in November 2013. Joanna Andrews went to the region’s largest and most influential automotive event to see what was on display…
Mitsubishi
Al Habtoor Motors is the sole distributor for Mitsubishi cars (since 1983). The relationship has consistently paid off. More Mitsubishi's are sold here than anywhere else in the world.
“The Mitsubishi continues to be one of the UAE’s favourite vehicles,” says Karl Hamer, MD, Al Habtoor Motors. “The Pajero is close to everybody’s heart, but with the launch of the new Mirage in 2013 and the new Outlander, which debuted at the Dubai International Motor Show, the brand is gaining momentum.”
He adds, “We are excited about the impending launch of the New Mitsubishi Attrage. We believe this environmentally friendly vehicle will take the UAE by storm."
Chery
Chery, one of China’s leading car manufacturers, made a spectacular debut in the UAE courtesy of Al Habtoor Motors! The lineup was unveiled at the car show just days before a new showroom popped up on Dubai Airport Road. “We plan to open our second showroom in Abu Dhabi in the first half of 2014, and the third in the Northern Emirates in the last quarter,” says Karl Hamer.
There are five different cars in the lineup – including the Tiggo, a small sports utility vehicle priced at around AED 55,000.
“We have received high praise from customers for the comfort and modern styling of these cars. The new Chery ‘Tiggo’ is certainly going to be a successful model,” he adds.
JAC Motors
Another affordable Chinese brand was added to the Al Habtoor Motors portfolio in 2013 – JAC Motors.
“After our visit to JAC Motors in China, we were convinced that it would be an ideal business partner for us in the UAE. JAC’s investment into operations & technology clubbed with its highly competitive product line of passenger and commercial vehicles made it a preferred candidate for us. JAC has been ranked as one of the top 10 brands in China's auto industry,” says Joe Rogan, Sales Director, Al Habtoor Motors.
Al Habtoor Motors will open its first JAC Motors showroom in Dubai on Airport Road in the first quarter of 2014.
Bugatti
Bugatti’s latest edition of the world-famous Veyron – the Meo Constantini – is officially the fastest roadster in the world… with a price tag to match.
The extremely limited edition 1200bhp Grand Sport Vitesse was officially unveiled at the Dubai Motor Show. Just three will be made – each costing €2.09 million (AED 10.4 million).
It is the third in a series of six ‘Les Legendes de Bugatti' Veyrons, dedicated to six people who left an indelible mark on the company's history. Meo Costantini was a close friend of the company’s founder, Ettore Bugatti. He was the head of Bugatti’s factory race team for many years and was also a driver, winning the Targa Florio two times.
“It’s a great honour to have a world premier at the Dubai International Motor Show. Bugatti recognises the importance of this market,” says George Duncan, Director, Prestige Cars Division, Al Habtoor Motors.
Bentley
The Prestige Cars Division of Al Habtoor Motors Company LLC, has been the sole authorised importer of Bentley cars in the UAE since 1982.
Another of its claim to fames is that it sells the most number of Bentley's in the world. Not a bad accolade!
Bentley was founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley. His mission was, "To build a good car, a fast car, the best in class". To this day the company has lived up to its founders' wish.
“A hand-built Bentley is always unmistakable,” says George Duncan, Director, Prestige Cars Division, Al Habtoor Motors. “Bentley is unique because of its craftsmanship, heritage and individualisation but most important the exclusivity that comes with the Bentley Brand.”
The luxury car maker recently introduced a handbag range to the UAE market. The Barnato, named after Diana Barnato, daughter of Woolf Barnato, the British financier and racing driver who was famously dubbed one of the Bentley Boys in the 1920s, and the Continental, named after one of Bentley’s famed model lines.
McLaren
McLaren had a clear goal with the P1 – to be the best driver’s car in the world on road and on track!
No surprise the McLaren P1 is proving to be a real hit in the UAE. The P1 has been such as success it even got a flying visit from the Red Arrows at a cocktail reception at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa in November 2013.
There are just 375 P1s in the world… So if you want one, you’d better be quick as only 40 are coming to the region! The limited edition P1 has a price tag of AED 5.1 million.
However, if you miss out, you might want to consider other supercars in the McLaren lineup – including the MP4-12C and MP4-12C Spider.
“The P1 is the first of its kind supercar based on F1 technology and its unique styling,” says George Duncan, Director, Prestige Cars Division, Al Habtoor Motors.
“It is the first hybrid t hat McLaren h as produced but most importantly is the exclusivity of the P1 as McLaren will only produce 375 units worldwide.”