Dubai: Mazda aims to increase its UAE market share next year with the opening of a new showroom on Shaikh Zayed Road.
The Japanese manufacturer has increased its market share by 15 per cent in 2011.
"We are also looking to increase it by a further 15 to 20 per cent in 2012. We have an aggressive plan, including the opening of our new showroom on Shaikh Zayed Road in April 2012," said Axel Dreyer, general manager of Galadari Automobiles, sole distributor of Mazda.
Galadari Automobiles has seven showrooms and six service centres across the UAE. According to Dreyer, as part of their plan to expand its market share, they will also be upgrading all their facilities by the end of 2012.
Financing rules
According to Dreyer, sales have been hindered slightly by the changes introduced to lending rules by the UAE Central Bank. Customers must now put down a 20 per cent deposit in order to be eligible for a car loan.
"I believe that the business itself could do much better if you would not have the 20 per cent down payment," said Dreyer.
As a result of this and of the recent turbulence in the world economy, Dresder said he has noticed that consumers have become more price conscious.
"The people are price sensitive and are looking for the best deal," he said.
