British luxury sports car maker McLaren Automotive has appointed Kanoo Motors as retail partner for Bahrain, thus enhancing its retail network in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America region.

The appointment was announced by McLaren Automotive chief executive officer, Mike Flewitt and Kanoo Motors directors, Ebrahim M Kanoo and Talal F Kanoo at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Customers and fans will be able to see the range of luxury handcrafted sports and super series cars from McLaren at the McLaren Bahrain showroom next to Moda Mall at the World Trade Centre, while McLaren Service and Aftersales care is now available at the state-of–the-art Kanoo Performance Centre located in Tubli, (previously the Kanoo Vehicle Leasing building).

Currently available from McLaren Bahrain is the Super Series, comprising the groundbreaking McLaren 650S in Coupé and Spider derivatives. Both models incorporate a range of Formula 1 technologies such as carbon fibre MonoCell, active aerodynamics and the state-of-the-art ProActive Chassis Control, providing the ultimate control on both road and track.

The McLaren range completes with the more attainable and multi award-winning Sports Series conceived to introduce McLaren DNA and performance credentials to the sports car segment. With a road-biased nature, yet still honing race derived technologies to offer supercar levels of performance, the new Sports Series provides enhanced all round usability and promises an exhilarating and fun driving experience.

The critically-acclaimed Sports Series range includes the McLaren 570S Coupé and 570GT. Deliveries to customers in Bahrain of each derivative have now started and customers wishing to test drive a vehicle or book a service appointment will be able to find the McLaren Bahrain contact details at: www.bahrain.mclaren.com.

Andreas Bareis, managing director McLaren Automotive Middle East, Africa and Latin America, said: “I am incredibly proud that McLaren is partnering with such a highly regarded and prestigious business as Kanoo Motors. Whilst the Sports Series opens up McLaren to an entirely new audience, this retailer appointment unlocks a new audience across our entire model range in Bahrain.”

“The state-of-the-art facilities at the Kanoo Performance Centre, that will be at the forefront of all McLaren service interactions with our customers in Bahrain, highlights the customer focused nature of our new partner, which we are very proud and excited to be working with,” Bareis added.

Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive CEO said: “We recently outlined our strategy for McLaren over the next six years, revealing details of the Track22 Business Plan, which represents an investment of £1 Billion and will see us continue to focus on building the world’s finest two-seater sports and super cars. Kanoo Motors undoubtedly share the same level of ambition and commitment to supporting this plan with the delivery of outstanding levels of customer service to McLaren owners in Bahrain, which can already be seen through their exceptional service facilities that are truly world class.”

Kanoo Motors director Ebrahim M Kanoo said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with McLaren Automotive in Bahrain. As one of the leading companies in the Kingdom with a long established track record, we always look to partner with the most progressive and forward-thinking brands that will add value to our business. McLaren Automotive fits that bill perfectly and we look forward to many successful years of cooperation together.”

The announcement of the relationship between this British brand and Bahraini conglomerate provides no better example of the wider and more historical dimension which the two countries are currently celebrating throughout 2016 with ‘BahrainUK 200’, an initiative which marks the 200th anniversary of the bilateral relationship between the UK and Bahrain, and consists of a year-long series of events showcasing the UK-Bahraini relationship across a wide range of areas including culture, business, arts, sport and education.

Simon Martin, UK Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain commented: ‘The strategic partnership between a progressive British brand like McLaren Automotive and successful Bahraini entities such as Kanoo Motors can be seen as a new chapter in this ongoing, mutually beneficial relationship and further cements ties between our two nations that have been in place for 200 years.’

This important partnership agreement was completed by McLaren Automotive and Kanoo Motors at an official ceremony held at the Bahrain International Circuit during the debut of the McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme in Bahrain.

Former Formula 1, current McLaren GT factory driver and McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme Mentor, Bruno Senna was also present.  Senna works closely with each of the owners taking part in the McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme, ensuring optimum performance for each of the cars and drivers around some of the world’s most iconic and challenging circuits.

The appointment is of further importance to McLaren Automotive, as Bahrain is a key market for the British luxury sports and super car manufacturer, with the Kingdom being home to both the McLaren Automotive regional headquarters for the Middle East, Africa and Latin America region and also to the majority shareholder, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company. - TradeArabia News Service