Wednesday, Apr 13, 2016

Dubai: The local BMW dealership, AGMC, is committing its biggest investment — Dh200 million — in five years on a new showroom and after-sales facility at the Motor City development (being built by Union Properties) in Dubai. The project, due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2017, also provides an indication that the city’s dealerships are taking their retail facilities into the emerging neighbourhoods of Dubai.

Until now, automotive retail facilities have concentrated around Shaikh Zayed Road and Deira, while Aston Martin has its showroom at Downtown and Al-Futtaim Group’s automotive interests are represented at Dubai Festival City.

But AGMC has been quick on the draw in taking its latest network expansion to a location “where the largest number of communities will spring up,” said Osman Abdelmoneim, General Manager. “It takes care of the need for us to move closer to an area near the future Expo Centre and where we are likely to find more BMW and Mini buyers.

“And we are also the first automotive operator to be setting up in Motor City.”

Premium offerings

The facility will be in keeping with BMW’s “Future Retail” design ethos, with the first floor given over entirely to showcasing the latest premium offerings — AGMC calls them “galleries” — from the manufacturer. The ground floor will feature some of the classic creations that have emerged from the carmaker’s production line as well as a cafe, vehicle diagnostic centre and integrated workshop. The workshop will feature 28 bays. Even the rooftop will have its uses, with the dealer viewing it as a future site to host events.

“The project was conceptualised a year ago and the designs all ready with us,” said Abdelmoneim. (The designs are by the BMW Group’s in-house architect, Valerio Nelli.)

In the last five years, AGMC has invested Dh100 million plus on network expansion, including new facilities in Fujairah and Deira.

By Manoj Nair Associate Editor

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