Dubai, 20 April 2008: The Olympic Torch Relay has concluded the 9th leg of its global journey in Oman's capital Muscat with Volkswagen vehicles being the driving force behind the relay.  Volkswagen Middle East and Wattayah Motors LLC provided 18 vehicles to accompany the 80 torch bearers through the streets of Muscat out of which three Touaregs were used for the core convoy, while the remainder of the fleet served as administration and support cars.

The 20-kilometre long torch relay route stretched along the coast passing Al Alam Palace, old Muscat, Muscat Gate, Mutrah Souk and Qurm Flyover until it reached Qurm Natural Park.  Over 10,000 people were present at the occasion which also included Dignitaries, Ministers and Members of the Royal Family from the different Gulf States.

Sohraab Hasnain, Volkswagen Brand Manager for Wattayah Motors LLC commented, "The relay in Oman was an unprecedented success with thousands of people bracing the streets to watch the torch bearers pass through the city of Muscat.  It was a great honour for Wattayah Motors LLC, partners of Volkswagen Middle East in Oman, to be chosen as the official automobile partner of the Olympic Torch Relay in Muscat. We are very proud to have participated and supported a historic event of this kind." 

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay kicked off in Olympia on March 24 and will last 97 days in total covering more than 40,000 kilometers. The flame will reach Sanya in the South of China on May 4 and will arrive in Beijing on August 8. As exclusive automobile partner, the Volkswagen Group will be supporting the Organisation Committee in China with a fleet of about 6,000 vehicles consisting of 4,350 Volkswagen cars, 650 Skoda cars and 1,000 Audi cars. 

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For more information contact:
Mona El-Mahdi
Public Relations Manager
Volkswagen Middle East
Tel: +971-4-204 5888
Fax: +971-4-204 5898
E-mail: mona.elmahdi@volkswagen.avme.ae

Amanda Reed
Consultant
Impact Porter Novelli
Tel: +971-4-330 4030 Ext:  417
Fax: +971-4-330 4031
E-mail: a.reed@ipn.ae
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© Press Release 2008