As part of its ambitious growth strategy for the Middle East, Infiniti has appointed Ghassan Abdulrahman Al Sulaiman Trading Est. (Al Ghassan Motors) as an authorized dealer partner for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement ensures existing and new customers will be able to benefit from the full Infiniti brand experience once Al Ghassan Motors officially begins operations. Over the course of the following months, Al Ghassan Motors will expand to offer Infiniti's complete range of premium vehicles, service support and genuine parts through an expanding network of dedicated Infiniti Centers. Fully in line with the brand's global standards, these Infiniti Centers will begin opening across Jeddah, Al-Khobar and Riyadh starting from mid-March. “We have an ambitious plan to further develop the Infiniti brand as a leading premium automotive player on the global stage,” said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motors Ltd. “Along with expanding our product range and opening new markets, we need to ensure we are bringing the best the brand has to offer to existing markets. For us to achieve this in the Middle East, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a key role to play and the partnership with Al Ghassan Motors is the foundation on which we will build this success.” Samir Cherfan, Managing Director, Nissan Middle East, said: “This new venture represents both significant investment for our brand and opportunity for our valued customers to enjoy the unique offering Infiniti brings.” “Success for Infiniti in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia depends on our ability to deliver not just our full performance model range but also the support and service which our customers rightly demand. Today we announce a partnership which will help us achieve this.” Juergen Schmitz, General Manager, Infiniti in the Middle East, said: “As a very important market for premium cars in the region, having the capability to bring our full offering to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is of great importance to us. Our partnership with Al Ghassan Motors allows us to do that and offers Infiniti customers in the Kingdom access to our high quality sales and service standards. “Al Ghassan Motors has an established and enviable reputation for retailing the most exclusive and luxurious vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and we are proud to have enhanced our portfolio by becoming Infiniti's authorized dealer,” said Sheikh Ghassan A H Al Sulaiman, President of Al Ghassan Motors. “We are honored to be appointed for this exciting premium car brand and look forward to welcoming customers to our new Infiniti Centers.” In 2013, Infiniti increased its sales by 17 percent in the Middle East. With Al Ghassan Motors as the newly-appointed authorized dealer, Infiniti expects to continue its strong growth in the region. To reinforce this expansion and ensure full customer support, Al Ghassan Motor's highly qualified teams of sales and service technicians have already begun training to meet Infiniti's global quality standards. To further ensure its delivery of outstanding customer support and service, Infiniti will join forces with Nissan in establishing a direct presence in the Kingdom through a Saudi-based distribution Joint Venture Company, the creation of which was already announced by Nissan in November 2013. Further details of this and Infiniti's expansion plans for Saudi Arabia will be announced later in 2014. — SG
