French automaker Renault is strengthening its presence in the Middle East with the creation of Renault Middle East operational division, effective February 1.

The regional office will be based in Dubai and headed by Peyman Kargar. The following 12 countries will be consolidated under the scope of Renault Middle East: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and UAE.

In 2012, Renault volumes in the consolidated scope of countries of Renault Middle East have grown by 10 per cent to reach 116,952 units for a total market share in the region of 4.4 per cent vs 3.5 per cent in 2011.

In the GCC markets, the Renault brand is booming with record sales of 12,092 units sold in 2012, up 27 per cent in a dynamic market that increased 23 per cent last year. Renault is now the fourth European brand in the GCC, one of the top two generalist European brands in the region and already the first European Brand in Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Gilles Normand, chairman of the Asia-Pacific region said, “The creation of Renault Middle East is designed to meet our growth objectives in the overall Asia-Pacific region which represents 50 per cent of the worldwide automobile market.

“The Middle East is a very dynamic and high potential market which is strategic for us. This new organization is clearly a new milestone in our brand development in this part of the world.”

Peyman Kargar, Renault Middle East managing director said, “Our current regional office has shown the way with a significant increase in market share in the GCC from 0.2 per cent in 2010 to 1 per cent in 2012.”

“This was a first and challenging step to establish our position and the basis for sustainable growth. But Renault deserves more than 1 per cent.

“Our new organization will be fully transversal between all functions and the 12 countries to seize all business opportunities. Our objective with our partners is to further boost our brand potential and market share in the Middle East,” he added.

Mustansir Lakdawala, after three years as managing director of Renault GCC, will return to Nissan for a new assignment while Hakim Boutehra will be appointed commercial director of Renault Middle East. – TradeArabia News Service