Dubai: The UAE-based distributor of Segways has announced plans to open dealerships across the region with the aim of doubling annual sales.
Vesta Group, which began sales of the two-wheeled devices in the UAE in May last year, has recently seen the opening of a second Middle East showroom and has plans for more.
The Texas-based company is in talks with various authorities and developers in the UAE in the hope they will place multiple orders.
Vesta set up its UAE offices in May 2005 and 11 months later opened a showroom near Deira City Centre.
To date, the company has sold 72 machines from its local base, with about 90 per cent of them to buyers within the country.
Chief executive Steven Brown-Cestero said he aimed to sell a total of 108 units across the region from Morocco to India in the 12 months to June 2007. This would represent a 100 per cent increase on annual sales so far.
"We've set up a dealership in Jordan. We're about to sign dealers in Morocco and Egypt. We're selling out as fast as we can bring them here," he said.
He added that Vesta was working with a real estate company to secure an agreement for homeowners in a forthcoming Dubai development to get Segways.
"Some companies have given cars with their properties, but that just creates more congestion.
"We are hoping to have Segways in some of the new properties. One could be given to every tenant.
Utility vehicle
"You can go grocery shopping on a Segway instead of in a car. It's a great way to get around. It's environmentally friendly - you just plug it into a wall socket and it will charge," he said.
He added that he was "working with" Dubai Municipality and airport officials with the aim of selling them Segways.
"They are a great community policing tool because you can mingle with the people," he said.
One month ago the i2 Segway model was launch-ed in the UAE for $7,000 (Dh25,710). This differs from the earlier generation in that the user leans the steering column left or right instead of twisting it like a set of bicycle handlebars.
In the coming weeks another model, the x2 Adventure, will go in sale in the UAE for $8,400 (Dh30,850). This one has off-road tyres and software designed to improve traction on rough ground.
The first deliveries of Segways were made in February 2003 and about 23,500 have been sold worldwide.
