Saudi Arabian Marketing and Agencies Co (Samaco) Automotive said it has opened its new 7,000 sq metre Porsche centre in Jeddah as part of its strategic expansion plan.

Located at King Road, the new facility offers all customer-relevant services under one roof, from sales, service to the timely provision of spare parts by a spacious parts stock area, said a senior official.

Construction of the facility started in March last year. After slightly more than a year, Porsche Centre Jeddah boasts a main showroom for 16 new cars on the ground floor as well as a dedicated pre-owned vehicle display area on the Mezzanine floor.

The integrated modern service facility includes 16 work bays as well as a fully equipped quick service centre with three service bays. At a time up to 45 cars can be stored for the purpose of servicing.

In addition, the building offers ample space for administration offices and a spare parts warehouse, ensuring that repairs get done within the shortest time possible. The new facility will be the workplace for forty Porsche staff members.

Speaking at the launch, Mohammad Wajih Sharbatly, chief executive of Samaco Automotive, stressed the importance of the new integrated centre and what it represents to Porsche customers in and around Jeddah.

The rapid urban development of Jeddah and the high demand for Porsche cars motivated us to expand our presence in the city," he added.

Lauding Samaco's achievement, Bernhard Maier, executive vice president sales and marketing of Porsche, said, "With its 17 per cent growth rate in 2010, the Saudi company had contributed to the overall achievement.

“The opening of this new Porsche Centre in Jeddah, a city with a determined growth strategy, represents another important milestone for us in the Kingdom by increasing our presence in the market place and echoing our reputation as the world’s leading sports car manufacturer," he added.-TradeArabia News Service