Autofocus Episode 05: Transformation In The Regional Mobility Ecosystem
In the ninth episode of the Autofocus Podcast, we are with Dr. Saeeda Jaffar who is the Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal Middle East. Dr. Jaffar is an expert and leader in organizational transformation, focusing on a wide range of strategic and performance-related issues in Automotive, financial services, and beyond. Dr. Jaffar has worked with clients in the Middle East, Europe and the United States. Dr. Jaffar shares the key considerations for regional Automotive companies to ensure sustainable transformation and how the company cultures’ amongst dealers must first change to adapt to the shifts happening in the value chain. “The ability to transform in a smart way is very important. We cannot change for the sake of changing. Transformation has to be driven based on actual customer needs and changing behaviors.” We go on to speak on increasing customer value by placing an importance on listening to ‘the voice of the customer’ and also on how many companies are losing out on key opportunities to do so. We also touch on Dr Jaffar’s views on the best way for businesses to respond to the change and disruption in the industry’s near future. Finally, we talk about customer behaviours and how these have been altered by the ‘experiential economy’ followed by how leading business will be the ones who beat customer expectations. We express our sincere gratitude to all the veterans and experienced professionals in the automotive industry for their valuable input and advice when we write our articles. We take pride in our commitment to embracing technology, including AI, to enhance the quality of our articles.
Autofocus Episode 12: Powering Up For An All Electric Future
In this episode of the Autofocus Podcast, we are with Mark Carson, Customer Service and Quality Director at Renault Middle East. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, 20 of them at Renault and 13 of them in and around electric mobility, Mark brings the perspective of someone who has been at the forefront of shaping what we consider present and future mobility. In his current role, Mark is responsible for Renault’s Customer Experience Program, the customer experience performance delivered by the Dealer Network, and all things Electric Vehicles: Awareness, After-Sales, and Product Compliance. In the episode, Mark took us on a journey of electrification and electrification in the region. Highlights include how in 2007 Renault went directly into fully electric vehicles, a bold move that skipped the hybrid-trend, how in 2012 the iconic Twizy began appearing in the region even though it wasn’t supposed to be available here, and how in 2014 the EV market in Jordan got a massive kickstart. Mark goes on to what we can expect from Renault in the near future and the brand current EV strategy. Hinting at the release of a larger EV in the distant future. In line with demand, Mark confirms plans for a hybrid vehicle in the next 3-4 years. Moving on to CASE, Mark shares where he sees the most progress and opportunity in the region might look like. We look at the current capabilities of connectivity and the impact it has had and will have on vehicle safety. When looking at autonomous, we explore current successful case studies that have taken place in restricted spaces; Mark believes that we are still years away from autonomous vehicles and outlines the reasons, such as the infrastructure required (such as 5G) to support the 3D modelling required for autonomous driving. He does, however, allude to the potential of autonomous vehicles in the region and the potential the Expo 2020 has to highlight these ‘realities of tomorrow’. “Raising awareness is the most important thing for electric vehicles to succeed.” – Mark Carson, Customer Service and Quality Director at Renault Middle East Going from 5 showroom visits before purchase, just 5-10 years ago, to now 1.3, Mark shares how this impacts the sales process and shares the advice he’d give to someone entering the industry today. Finally, we speak on what we should be doing, as an industry, to promote sustainable energy and mobility. We wrap up looking at the new partnerships that are forming, the importance of them and what benefits the dealer/importer network stands to gain as a result. We express our sincere gratitude to all the veterans and experienced professionals in the automotive industry for their valuable input and advice when we write our articles. We take pride in our commitment to embracing technology, including AI, to enhance the quality of our articles.
Autofocus Episode 11: Seamless, Shared and Smarter Mobility
We are joined by Ben Pullen, Co-Founder & CEO of Generation.e. Ben has spent most of his entire career in sustainable energy and mobility. In 2015 he created Generation.e with a mission to inspire transformation to smarter mobility. Ben shares with us his journey from sustainable energy to sustainable mobility, the interaction between renewable energy and electrification, the realistic future of mobility, and how the region is adapting to the rise of smarter, seamless, and shared mobility. Ben kicks off the episode sharing with us how his journey has taken him from working with sustainable energy to sustainable mobility. He speaks to us about the natural interaction between renewable energy and the electrification and how it was this realisation that led him into the mobility space. Having completed his Masters in Energy Management, Ben has been exposed to players in natural gas and oil as well as renewable technology; he shares with us how the two have vastly different approaches to change within the industry. Ben goes on to give us an insight into the mobility differences that differentiate major cities all over the world as well as the challenges that unite them; such as the impact of mobility on health and the environment. “The end goal cannot be to get everyone into an electric car.” – Ben Pullen, Co-Founder and CEO of Generation.e The “Realistic” Future of Mobility We also talk about the realistic future of mobility. Ben touches on the idea of electrification being ‘the silver bullet’ and that the end goal cannot be to get everyone into an electric car. His insight into how electric cars are making consumers more conscious of the source of their energy is worth noting. Speaking on infrastructure, we talk about the different challenges cities will face when accommodating sustainable mobility solutions. Not to mention the changes in ageing regulation that we need to overcome. Further the conversation on infrastructure, Ben shares his opinion on car sharing vs car ownership & how the popularity of the model is a good indication of where the future of individual mobility is headed. Finally, we touch on the next decade of mobility, Expo 2020, and Ben’s predictions. As we move into a ‘new era’ of mobility, Ben feels the way in which the car will interact with the world around it will fundamentally change; and that we may very well be at the end of a chapter in the story of mobility. We express our sincere gratitude to all the veterans and experienced professionals in the automotive industry for their valuable input and advice when we write our articles. We take pride in our commitment to embracing technology, including AI, to enhance the quality of our articles.
Autofocus Episode 08: BMW on Designing The Future
In the tenth episode of the Autofocus Podcast we are joined by Dr. Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director of BMW Group, Middle East. Dr Hamid’s colourful career is a true testament to his ‘blue-blood’ claim. Having started as an intern, in Germany, at BMW Headquarters, Dr. Hamid spent a year with BMW, pre-graduation, before taking on his first role as a Market Development Manager in 2006. In 2008 Dr. Hamid spent just under 4 years in the Middle East, in Sales, as the Area Manager and the Head of Product Management in the region. His career continued to lead him around the globe as he became Director Sales and Director Sales Channel Development for BMW India, prior to returning to the region and taking on in his current role as MD. In this episode, we get straight into Dr. Hamid’s sage advice for those who wish to enter and those who are currently in the Automotive industry. He shares his formula for sucsess and taking risks for career progression. We move on to the evolution of BMW; having climbed up the brand’s hierarchy for almost over a decade and a half, Dr. Hamid is suitably placed to discuss what the next decade for BMW will look like in comparison. From creating the first full-electric premium car to their adaptive approach to the workforce, he speaks on how the extensive achievements of the brand in the past 10 years are an indication of what BMW has planned next. Later in the episode, we go on to touch on what the future may look like for the dealer/importer network and consumers in the region. “We have a very young and dynamic customer base here. They are very demanding in their requirements which makes the region a great playground to test things like new technologies.” – Dr. Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director BMW Group Middle East” Evolution From Automotive to Technology Having been with the brand and moving up the ranks for nearly two decades, Dr. Hamid is suitably placed to discuss what the next decade for BMW will look like in comparison. From creating the first full-electric premium car to their adaptive approach to the workforce, he speaks on how the extensive achievements of the brand in the past 10 years are an indication of what BMW has planned next. Later in the episode, we go on to touch on what the future may look like for the dealer/importer network and consumers in the region. Dr. Hamid goes on to share with us the rigorous process of designing cars that are years ahead of their time; from design to 3D rendering & clay modelling, faced with the challenge of future-proofing designs, he explains the process of designing a BMW that is of the standard consumers have come to expect. Of course, we speak on autonomous driving as a part of our winder conversation on CASE/ACES. Dr. Hamid shares with us BWM’s answer to these ‘mega-trends’ and how the two dominant mobility trends are being, and have been, addressed. BMW is also engaging an emphasis on its partnerships with technology companies and even OEMs. Dr. Hamid explains how BMW’s joint R&D with OEMs such as Daimler and JLR are essential in the disruptive & fast-paced world we are currently in. Finally, Dr. Hamid shares his excitement around the overhaul of the upper-end of BMW’s portfolio, his admiration for the tech-savviness of consumers in the region and which car from the line-up he’s looking forward to driving next. We express our sincere gratitude to all the veterans and experienced professionals in the automotive industry for their valuable input and advice when we write our articles. We take pride in our commitment to embracing technology, including AI, to enhance the quality of our articles.
Autofocus Episode 4: New Dynamics of The Automotive Industry
AMENA Automotive’s latest Autofocus podcast welcomes Bruce Robertson, Managing Director for Jaguar Land Rover MENA. Bruce has over 25 years of experience in the Automotive industry and this podcast is all about the future of Jaguar, Land Rover and the industry he is so passionate about. Where does Bruce envision JLR by the end of this year? What are the firm’s long-term expansion plans? How far has the Land Rover Defender come? We discuss this and a lot more in our fourth Autofocus podcast. Bruce Robertson has had an illustrious career leading Jaguar Land Rover operations across multiple overseas markets. He has headed the sales division in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and China before taking over the reins of JLR’s Middle East and North Africa operations. Prior to joining Jaguar Land Rover MENAP, Bruce was the Executive Vice President, Sales and Service, at Jaguar Land Rover China. He was witnessed JLR’s five-fold increase in sales in the Far Eastern market. He brings with him immense knowledge and a knack for recognising the potential of any market he operates in. The Fail Fast Mindset In The New Market Among the highlights of the episode was Bruce sharing some of the most important lessons we can learn from others markets. China, for example, while relatively young market, has a fail fast mindset that has resulted in some of the top innovations and engineering now happening in that market. This is especially important at a time when the industry is undergoing transformation: “The nature of the industry is changing. The dynamics are changing. The focus is changing.” Bruce added “The [disruptors] are driving the motor industry to where we aren’t comfortable. But you know something, that’s good. Because when people aren’t comfortable, that’s when you get ideas, that’s when you get change, that’s when you get excitement.” “The nature of the industry is changing. The dynamics are changing. The focus is changing. The [disruptors] are driving the motor industry to where we aren’t comfortable. But you know something, that’s good. Because when people aren’t comfortable, that’s when you get ideas, that’s when you get change, that’s when you get excitement.” – Bruce Robertson, Jaguar Land Rover MENAP We express our sincere gratitude to all the veterans and experienced professionals in the automotive industry for their valuable input and advice when we write our articles. We take pride in our commitment to embracing technology, including AI, to enhance the quality of our articles.
Autofocus Episode 3: Business As Usual Is Over
There is a certain dynamism that follows this man as he walks into the room, and rightfully so. Mr. Shehab Gargash, CEO of Gargash Group and chairman of Daman Investments, he is a charismatic individual with interests in art, finance, Automotive and, most of all, his collection of boarding passes, which he cherishes dearly. In our third episode of Autofocus, we talk to the man driving the Gargash Group forward with his vision and passion for success. So how does he do it? How difficult is it to balance between running Daman Investments, which he founded in 2000 and manages assets over $1.5bn and Gargash Group, an Automotive powerhouse representing brands like Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo and GAC in Dubai and the UAE? Right from the onset, he acknowledges the challenge the industry is facing. People are slowly moving on from owning a car to accessing it as and when they need it. Cars are no longer a necessity but a convenience. Electrification and autonomous vehicles are also evolving at a rapid rate. “The Middle East is full of extremely capable Automotive people that may find themselves out of the market because the market is shifting. We have to adjust and embrace the new imperatives of the auto trade.” Fondly remembering his first car, a used Mercedes-Benz 230 GE short wheelbase, he highlights how things have changed over the years. The Automotive industry is facing its biggest threat, something it’s never faced over the last 130 years. It’s about how the automobile is perceived in today’s day and age. Leveraging data and acknowledging the importance of digital platforms in influencing consumer buying decisions, he stresses that redefining the user experience and the whole journey of car buying as we know it is essential. Traditional methods will be rendered obsolete, and new ways of attracting and retaining customers will be needed. Moving on to the investments required in showrooms, processes, people, etc., he discusses the investments required in the showrooms of the future. Highlighting how disruptive companies like Tesla are redefining car sales as we know it. Even if you look at the traditional dealers and the reason why they evolved, it paints a clear picture of how necessity and efficiency are the reasons industries get disrupted. Regarding Tesla, he adds, “Their model is successful in Southern California and New York, but will it be successful in the whole of USA, Europe or even the rest of the world? That is yet to be seen.” “The Tesla model is successful in Southern California and New York, but will it be successful in the whole of USA, Europe or even the rest of the world? That is yet to be seen.” The podcast continues to highlight how Gargash Group (an AMENA member) is looking to evolve as the Automotive landscape keeps changing as well as employment and the challenges in understanding today, what the company of tomorrow might need in terms of manpower, skill and expertise. Listen to the full episode to learn more on Shehab Gargash’s take on the Automotive business and the future of mobility. We express our sincere gratitude to all the veterans and experienced professionals in the automotive industry for their valuable input and advice when we write our articles. We take pride in our commitment to embracing technology, including AI, to enhance the quality of our articles.
EXEED launches in the UAE
Esteemed premium vehicle brand, EXEED Motors, made an extraordinary debut in the country’s Automotive sector with the much-anticipated launch of the EXEED RX model. Represented by AG Auto in the UAE under Al Ghurair Investment, EXEED Motors launched the said model at the Armani Ballroom in Burj Khalifa, Dubai on August 30, 2023. This marked a momentous occasion in the region’s Automotive landscape as EXEED Motors aims to redefine the premium Automotive market in the region with the EXEED RX.
Submerge into Velocity: 2023 BMW XM
BMW XM sets foot in Dubai In collaboration with its official importers in the Middle East, BMW Group Middle East announced the BMW XM. For the first time in the region and it was unveiled at an exciting event in Dubai. The XM is an innovative Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that was created through the ground-breaking merging of the ferocious BMW M and cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology.
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture sets a whole new level of luxury
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture flaunts luxury and sophistication Mercedes-Benz has recently unveiled the latest addition to its luxury line-up, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture. This exclusive vehicle is a premium version of the flagship S-Class sedan and boasts some of the most advanced technologies, premium materials, and bespoke features. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture is based on the top-of-the-line S-Class, the Maybach S680 4MATIC. However, this exclusive variant takes luxury to a whole new level. The model-exclusive two-tone paint job is metallic nautical blue on top and rose gold down below. The exterior is further accentuated with a chrome hood ornament, grille, window sills, and badging. The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture is a clear demonstration of the brand’s commitment to luxury, performance, and exclusivity. This elegant sedan features a 4.0-liter V8 engine that delivers an impressive 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. It also has a nine-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth and effortless shifts. Undeniably luxurious exterior The exterior of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture is a work of art, with sleek lines, sophisticated curves, and a distinctive front grille. It also features a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, and LED lighting technology that enhances the vehicle’s overall appearance. The new Mercedes-Benz is a reflection of that vision and offers a unique combination of luxury and technology, making it one of the most desirable cars on the market.
Ferrari Unveils One-Off KC23 Supercar: A Fusion of Innovation and Passion
Ferrari has finally unwrapped the covers for its one-off creation that definitely snatched the attention of supercar enthusiasts, the KC23. Built for a passionate and imaginative customer, this exclusive masterpiece combines the best of Ferrari’s racing heritage with a glimpse into the future of Automotive design. Born from the collaboration between Ferrari’s Centro Stile and an imaginative and passionate customer, this breathtaking creation came from Ferrari’s Special Projects program.