The sales of luxury cars have increased dramatically in the Kingdom, dealers and managers of luxury car segments here said. Umberto Maria Cini, area manager of Maserati and Edwin Fenech, general manager, Ferrari Middle East and Africa, said the sales of these two luxury car brands increased by around 300 percent in 2007, at the inauguration an exclusive showroom in Riyadh on Monday. Mohammed Wajih Sharbatly, managing director Fast Auto Technic, exclusive dealer for Saudi Arabia was also present. At a joint press conference, Engr Khayyat opening of the showroom constituted the new beginning for Fast Auto Technic business and continuation of the development plan to meet the rising demand for luxury cars in Saudi Arabia. Mamdouh Khayyat, managing director, Fast Auto Technic Co., Ltd. - sole dealer of Ferrari Maserati cars in Saudi Arabia, said his company began a long-term marketing plan for expansion and so far invested over SR40 million for the of centers in Jeddah and Riyadh while a third will be opened in the Eastern Region soon. The all-new Ferrari Maserati showroom was built at an area of 4,000 square meters which besides display area for latest models also equipped with a reception hall, a after sale services section and spare parts warehouse. Cini and Fenech said the demand for Ferrari and Maserati cars has been on the rise in the Kingdom, which was evidence from the increase in sales of around 322 percent of Maserati cars and 257 percent of Ferrari models in 2007. Cini said Saudi customers profoundly looked for customization of car features they intended to buy. “Saudis are listed second to Chinese in customization of car features,” he added. He said 15 units of latest Maserati models with fully customized on order by Saudi customers will arrive this year. Fenech said owing to the customized features the cost of the cars sold in Saudi Arabia increased substantially, sometimes to the tune of an additional 80,000 euros. Ferrari sold around 75 units in 2007 and the sales figure expected to touch a figure of 90 units during 2008, he said after unveiling 612 Scaglietti, Ferrari's latest model. He said establishing a new Ferrari Maserati Center in Riyadh would further contribute to the already growing Saudi market's luxury segment. __
