Al Nabooda expands network across UAE

UAE-based car dealer Al Nabooda Automobiles, the distributor of Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, announced a Dhs900 million investment programme to expand its operational network in the country. “This is a significant investment by the company in the future of the UAE, it was revealed by Al Nabooda CEO K. Rajaram, during a press conference in Dubai on Monday. “Al Nabooda Automobiles has a history of major business successes that can be traced back to its foundation 36 years ago, and the investment programme underlines our intention to lead the market for many years ahead. “The new facilities we are creating to showcase the Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen brands provide the most powerful evidence of our commitment to our business partners, to our customers, and to the local communities where we operate,” he added. Creating world-class facilities in Dubai, Fujairah and Sharjah, the investment covers ten individual projects, including the largest Audi new car sales terminal in the world on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai which will be completed in September at a cost of Dhs118.5million. Before the end of the year, Al Nabooda Automobiles will start operations from a a new Dhs85.5 million combined multi-brand facility in Fujairah comprising individual Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen showrooms, and a combined after sales centre for the three brands. One of the world’s largest Porsche showrooms will open next year, also on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, at a cost of Dhs144 million. This highlights the commitment by Al Nabooda Automobiles to build on its success as the world’s leading Porsche dealership for the last eight years. In July next year work will be completed on a Dhs120 million facility in Sharjah featuring Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen showrooms and a combined workshop. The next phase will see completion of a combined Audi and Volkswagen workshop in Dubai by the end of next year at a cost of Dhs133 million. Another major part of the investment programme sees a Dhs212 million paint and body shop being built within a Dhs44 million pre-delivery centre on a 130,000 sqm site at Jebel Ali. This is due for completion in 2014. Also at Jebel Ali, a Dhs7 million new car storage facility will be completed in September this year. The investment also covers a complete refurbishment of the existing VW showroom in Dubai, relocation of the Audi pre-owned vehicles showroom in Dubai, and new Porsche approved vehicles showroom. This will result in each of the company’s sales operations in Dubai enjoying prime locations fronting onto Sheikh Zayed Road. With work to be completed in September, the impressive new Audi Terminal in Dubai literally takes car showroom design to a new level. Built on a prime 3,656 sqm location beside Sheikh Zayed Road, it  boasts a unique multi-floor showroom concept, with the world’s largest Audi new car display of 57 vehicles introduced on three separate levels linked by escalators and two car lifts. With a total area of more than 9,000 sqm, the Audi terminal is designed to create a completely new customer experience. Inside a Customer Private Area on the second mezzanine floor, sales executives will display colour choices and car specifications on an interactive power wall. Customers will also be able to take advantage of an exclusive valet parking service, with parking space available for 100 vehicles in two basements.