Maserati to set up regional office in Dubai

Dubai: Italian luxury car-maker Maserati will set up a regional office in Dubai to capitalise on its surging sales growth in the GCC.

The office in Dubai Airport free zone will focus on sales and after sales services, as well as allow the company to develop its presence throughout the Middle East and in Africa.

"For us, this region is an emerging market which is becoming more and more important. We are an exclusive brand and parts of the GCC are among the world's most exclusive places," said area manager Umberto Maria Cini.

"By the end of the year we will have achieved around 100 per cent sales growth on 2006 and we plan to grow by 70 per cent in 2008."
The UAE is Maserati's main market, representing around 40 per cent of its total sales in the region.

Overall, the GCC represents some 5.5 per cent of global Maserati sales, compared to 3.5-4 per cent in 2006. The region's share is expected to climb to 7 per cent in 2008.

"The future is also to grow our business in countries like Saudi Arabia where we have huge potential, but have still to prove ourselves," said Cini.

Maserati's Middle East sales will be spearheaded by the Gran Turismo and the Quattroporte Automatic and Sport GTS.