Press Releases
2007 April 1
Al Habtoor Motors and Bentley Motors celebrate their 25 years of success in the UAE
The year 2007 is a landmark year for two of the foremost names in the automobile industry. Bentley, the leading maker of the world’s high luxury performance cars and Al Habtoor Motors, the sole and exclusive dealer of Bentley in the UAE are celebrating their twenty five years of partnership and continued success.
A glittering silver jubilee dinner was held at Horizon Pool Terrace, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina, on 2nd April 2007 to commemorate the prestigious achievement. The dinner was attended by specially invited dignitaries, members of the press, management teams of Bentley Motors and Al Habtoor Motors.
The Bentley management was represented by James Pillar - Director Worldwide Communications, Geoff Dowding - Managing Director, European, UK and Middle East Operations, Ian Gorsuch - Regional Director - ME, Africa & India and Ian Hession, Regional Sales Manager - ME, Africa & India.
Khalaf Al Habtoor – Chairman of Al Habtoor Group , Sultan Al Habtoor – President, Al Habtoor Motors, and Khalid Dadoush - GM of Prestige Cars Division were present on behalf of Al Habtoor Motors.
Bentley is renowned the world over as a brand that has set the highest standards in automobile manufacturing by following a rich tradition of crafting some of the world’s most ultra luxurious, high performance elegant cars.
When Bentley was formed in 1919 it's founder Walter Owen Bentley (affectionately and still known as W.O ) said that he wanted to 'Build a good car, a fast car , the best in its class' . Today Bentley lives up to these simply spoken but highly demanding words, by building cars that provide a “no compromise” blend of power, performance, technology, with design and craftsman built luxury.
As the sole and exclusive dealer for Bentley Motors in the UAE, the role of Al Habtoor Motors has been to enhance Bentley sales and provide state-of-the-art service in the UAE.
Bentley Emirates, an off-shoot of Al-Habtoor Motors ranks in the 11th position worldwide from the sales point of view. The outstanding sales performance makes Bentley Emirates the largest Bentley retailer in the region.
It is interesting to note that Al Habtoor Motors has in the last 25 years sold 965 Crewe built cars. In 2003, Bentley Emirates showroom was the first in the world to use Bentley’s new corporate identity. Indeed, in the year 2006, Al Habtoor Motors Bentley sales figures touched the all-time high with 160 cars. The year 2007 will see as slight drop in sales due to less production.
“We at Bentley are immensely pleased to celebrate the 25 years of partnership with Al Habtoor Motors, and we are grateful to Mr. Khalaf, Mr Sultan, Mr. Ahmed and the Al Habtoor family for their commitment to Bentley and their spirit of true partnership which has resulted in great and continuing success” commented Ian Gorsuch, Regional Director - Middle East, Africa and India.
Superb product knowledge and experience of it sales staff who are specially trained at Bentley’ UK Headquarters has contributed significantly towards the progress of Bentley Emirates.
“Over the years, Bentley Motors has recognized Al Habtoor Motors sterling role. The mutual relationship of trust and confidence has paid off well for both Bentley and Al Habtoor Motors. Which is why, we are all here celebrating.” added Khalid Dadoush, General Manager of Al Habtoor Motor’s Prestige Cars division.
In fact, Al Habtoor Motors has always ensured that the Bentley enthusiasts in the UAE always had the chance to see and buy the latest Bentley models. This is why, the latest Bentley’s have always made their way to UAE along with their launches in other important Bentley markets.
Al Habtoor Motors has also ensured that the after-sales service reflects the high quality standards the Bentley is renowned for. Recently, Al Habtoor Motors opened a new state-of-the-art Bentley showroom in Abu Dhabi. Plans are also underway to open new service centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the near future to further bolster its service network.
The year 2007 witnessed the arrival of new upgraded Arnage T and Arnage R with enhanced power of 500 hp and 450 hp respectively and features a new semi-automatic gearbox. The Continental GT (reaches 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds), Continental GTC (hurtles to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds) and Continental Flying Spur (accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds)are powered by a high performance 5998 cc engine that develops a phenomenal 552 hp.