Al Ghandi is new Chevrolet dealer

09 January 2008

Dubai: Al Ghandi Group has taken over the franchise of Chevrolet, a brand of US automaker General Motors, from Al Yousuf Motors to grow its share in the expanding local car market.

Al Ghandi has also merged its National Auto dealership with Al Ghandi Auto in a restructuring within the group.

No job losses are expected as a result of the merger as the company is retaining all National Auto and Al Yousuf division staff, numbered about 700, according to General Motors.

Neither Al Ghandi nor Al Yousuf disclosed the terms of the transaction but it is believed to have involved acquisition by the former of two Chevrolet showrooms.

General Motors regional service manager Manny Suriel said the change, effective from January, will "greatly enhance the potential for future growth, with plans for expansion already underway."

The new Chevrolet dealer will honour existing customer warranties and other agreements, General Motors said.

Al Yousuf Motors, which continues in the auto business with franchises such as Yamaha and Daihatsu, was earlier the Chevrolet dealer in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

With the Chevrolet deal, Al Ghandi now has two brands of General Motors. Previously, National Auto was the dealer for GMC cars in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

The two brands are now being sold in the same showrooms under the Al Ghandi Auto name in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai.

Al Ghandi Auto will operate the Chevrolet and GMC businesses in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and GMC in Sharjah and Fujairah following the new arrangement.

Chevrolet and GMC had combined sales of 15,500 units in the UAE in the first 11 months of 2007 compared with 4,000 units in 2003. for 2006.