Latest news with #RaviRavichandran
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Ford Expands Regional Operations from Riyadh, Strengthens Agility to Accelerate Growth
Ford Motor Company is reinforcing its presence in the Middle East and North Africa by expanding its operations from Riyadh and reintegrating North African markets under regional oversight. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the company's operational flexibility and drive faster growth across the region. Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East and North Africa, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the decision coincides with the expansion of Ford's Riyadh office, which now includes specialized teams tasked with supporting the diverse needs of regional markets, including Qatar and the Levant. According to Ravichandran, Ford's offices in Riyadh and Dubai now manage a wide array of functions -ranging from sales and marketing to environmental compliance, safety, and after-sales services. This integrated approach supports the company's strong regional network and aligns with its long-term vision for sustainable growth. Commenting on the tariffs imposed during US President Donald Trump's administration on imported vehicles, Ravichandran noted that Ford is still evaluating their potential impact on the regional auto sector. He stressed that it was too early to assess the full effect, adding that Ford's resilience and long-standing investment in American manufacturing innovation give confidence in the company's ability to adapt to evolving trade policies. He stated that while no specific strategic actions have been taken yet to offset the effects of the tariffs or trade tensions, the company remains focused on monitoring developments and maintaining operational agility. Ford recorded a 23% increase in sales during the first quarter of 2025, marking its strongest performance since October 2015 and its best in March since 2014. Ravichandran attributed the surge to strong market dynamics, increased consumer demand, and a well-balanced vehicle lineup, including the Taurus, Territory, Everest, and Ranger, along with Lincoln models such as the Nautilus and Corsair. These results build on the momentum we generated in 2024, when the company achieved its highest annual sales since 2016, he said. He credited this success to Ford's commitment to its partners, robust dealer network, and engaged regional teams. He also highlighted the company's growing focus on customer experience through initiatives such as online service scheduling, mobile service vans, and a new parts distribution center in Dubai, which has increased capacity by 20% and improved parts availability across the region. Ravichandran emphasized the key role Gulf markets play in Ford's regional growth, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading in sales. He noted that Saudi Arabia delivered the highest volumes, followed by the UAE, supported by Ford's rigorous testing processes under the region's harsh desert conditions. Looking ahead, Ravichandran expressed optimism about the electric vehicle (EV) market, citing increasing consumer interest, government incentives, and growing infrastructure readiness. As part of its regional electrification strategy, Ford plans to introduce models such as the Mustang Mach-E, the hybrid Territory, and the F-150 hybrid. While acknowledging challenges such as heightened competition and global supply chain disruptions, Ravichandran said Ford remains focused on agility, innovation, and responsiveness. 'With our strengthened presence in Riyadh and Dubai and the support of our dealer network, we're confident in our ability to continue meeting customer needs and driving long-term growth,' he concluded.
Al Bawaba
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
Al Tayer Motors Wins Three Ford Motor Company Awards for Exceptional Performance in the Middle East
Al Tayer Motors, the exclusive UAE importer-distributor for Ford and Lincoln vehicles, won three awards from Ford Motor Company in the Middle East following a 59% combined vehicle sales increase in 2024. Al Tayer Motors won the President's Awards for new vehicle sales for both Ford and Lincoln brands during the recent annual Ford Middle East Distributor Conference held in Dubai. In the UAE last year, Ford vehicle sales increased by 64% while Lincoln vehicle sales grew by 21% registering the best sales for the brand in the region. Al Tayer Motors also won the 'Lincoln Excellence Award 2024' in recognition of its top annual results achieved in vehicle sales and outstanding service, as reflected in the Net Promoter Score (NPS) rated by Lincoln customers throughout the year. "Our Ford and Lincoln sales and after-sales teams are committed to providing exceptional service at every stage. We continually invest in training our staff and improving our services and facilities. We are dedicated to enhancing our digital experience through our highly rated Al Tayer Motors app and e-commerce website, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable service and buying experience, both online and offline. These awards truly reflect our hard work and dedication," said Ashok Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Al Tayer Motors. Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East, said: 'Al Tayer Motors has been our most valuable distributor partner in the UAE, consistently delivering outstanding customer experiences and driving impressive sales growth on both Ford and Lincoln brands. Their strategic leadership vision with highly capable team, customer centric facilities and process helped achieve a combined 59% sales increase and boosted our brand rankings in this highly competitive market. With an exciting 2025 product lineup- including the all-new Ford Expedition, the first-ever Mustang Mach-E, the new Territory, and the all-new Lincoln Navigator we are confident Al Tayer Motors will build on this momentum and set new records.'
Mid East Info
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Mid East Info
Ford Middle East Kicks Off 2025 With Strong Q1 Sales, Building on Record-Breaking Momentum - Middle East Business News and Information
Significant momentum in Q1 with 23% sales growth for the Ford and Lincoln brands compared to Q1 2024. Q1 marked the best quarter since October 2015, with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait proving key markets for driving success. Taurus, Territory, and Everest were top sellers for Ford, with Corsair and the award-winning Nautilus performing best for Lincoln. Ford's increasing popularity was boosted further by the recently inaugurated Parts Distribution Center in Dubai and regional launch of the FordPass® app Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Following a monumental 2024, Ford Middle East is thrilled to announce its impressive start to 2025, with Q1 sales surging by 23% compared to the same period last year. The impressive performance, building on the record-breaking momentum achieved in 2024, reinforces Ford's position as one of the region's leading OEMs. Q1 of 2025 proved to be the standout quarter for Ford, achieving the best sales figures for the brand since October 2015 and the best March performance since 2014, with key markets driving this success including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and the rest of the GCC showcasing the broad appeal of Ford and Lincoln vehicles across the region. 'We are thankful to our incredible distributor partners for their continued dedication and hard work,' said Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East. 'It's rewarding to see that the successful sales momentum across our portfolio from last year has continued into 2025, and we are equally excited about our upcoming product launches, which will further strengthen our lineup and boost our offering to customers.' Continuing to resonate strongly with customers, the Ford models leading the charge include the flagship Ford Taurus sedan offering a blend of comfort, technology, and refined styling; the popular entry-level Ford Territory SUV known for its spaciousness and family-friendly features; and the capable and versatile Ford Everest SUV, catering to adventurous individuals and families seeking off-road capability and a premium driving experience. The Lincoln brand, too, is experiencing significant growth in the Middle East, with both the Nautilus and Corsair particularly capturing the attention of discerning luxury car buyers. A sophisticated SUV that exemplifies modern luxury and refinement, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus recently earned the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, solidifying its commitment to safety and substance as well as style, while the Corsair compact SUV offers a perfect balance of sophistication, performance, and technology. Ford's commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond the initial purchase through the Ford Guest Experience (FGE), which empowers sales and service staff to deliver personalized experiences, streamline operations, and create memorable moments for every customer. From online service bookings to mobile service vehicles, the brand is dedicated to providing effortless convenience and exceptional support throughout the ownership journey. Ford Middle East, as the only region home to all three Raptor nameplates – Ranger Raptor, F-150 Raptor, and Bronco Raptor – also continues to cater to its enthusiasts seeking high-performance off-road capabilities on the back of growing popularity of its Ford Performance vehicles. The high-performance division of Ford is no doubt amidst a stellar era of excitement, celebrating a podium finish at the Dakar Rally in its debut year, and has announced its return to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2027. Prior to that, still, is the brand's highly anticipated return to Formula 1 after more than two decades, having entered a long-term strategic technical partnership with Red Bull Powertrains for the development of the next-gen hybrid power unit to be used from the 2026 Formula 1 season onwards. Further Q1 2025 highlights, contributing to the Ford's ever increasing popularity in the Middle East, include the recently inaugurated Parts Distribution Center in Dubai, which is already streamlining parts availability and enhancing service levels, directly benefiting customers in the region. Additionally, the UAE launch of Ford's versatile and reliable Transit van – with imminent plans to expand its availability to Saudi Arabia – and the now available FordPass® app, providing customers with seamless connectivity and convenience, elevating the ownership experience. Ford Middle East is committed to delivering a diverse and exciting product lineup in 2025, with several upcoming Ford and Lincoln product launches – such as the all-new Expedition, first-ever Mustang Mach E, new Territory, all-new Navigator and Lincoln Way® – planned for the year.
Arabian Business
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
Ford Middle East moves up a gear with 23% sales surge
This performance builds on the record-breaking momentum achieved in 2024 and reinforces Ford's position as one of the region's leading original equipment manufacturers. Q1 of 2025 proved to be the standout quarter for Ford, achieving the best sales figures for the brand since October 2015 and the best March performance since 2014, with key markets driving this success including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and the rest of the GCC. Ford Middle East sales Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East, said: 'We are thankful to our incredible distributor partners for their continued dedication and hard work. It's rewarding to see that the successful sales momentum across our portfolio from last year has continued into 2025, and we are equally excited about our upcoming product launches, which will further strengthen our lineup and boost our offering to customers.' The Ford models leading the charge include the flagship Ford Taurus sedan, the popular entry-level Ford Territory SUV and the Ford Everest SUV. The Lincoln brand, too, is experiencing significant growth in the Middle East, Further Q1 2025 highlights, contributing to the Ford's ever-increasing popularity in the Middle East, include the recently inaugurated Parts Distribution Centre in Dubai and the UAE launch of Ford's Transit van – with imminent plans to expand its availability to Saudi Arabia.
Zawya
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Ford Middle East kicks off 2025 with strong Q1 sales, building on record-breaking momentum
Q1 marked the best quarter since October 2015, with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait proving key markets for driving success. Taurus, Territory, and Everest were top sellers for Ford, with Corsair and the award-winning Nautilus performing best for Lincoln. Ford's increasing popularity was boosted further by the recently inaugurated Parts Distribution Center in Dubai and regional launch of the FordPass® app Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Following a monumental 2024, Ford Middle East is thrilled to announce its impressive start to 2025, with Q1 sales surging by 23% compared to the same period last year. The impressive performance, building on the record-breaking momentum achieved in 2024, reinforces Ford's position as one of the region's leading OEMs. Q1 of 2025 proved to be the standout quarter for Ford, achieving the best sales figures for the brand since October 2015 and the best March performance since 2014, with key markets driving this success including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and the rest of the GCC showcasing the broad appeal of Ford and Lincoln vehicles across the region. "We are thankful to our incredible distributor partners for their continued dedication and hard work," said Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East. "It's rewarding to see that the successful sales momentum across our portfolio from last year has continued into 2025, and we are equally excited about our upcoming product launches, which will further strengthen our lineup and boost our offering to customers.' Continuing to resonate strongly with customers, the Ford models leading the charge include the flagship Ford Taurus sedan offering a blend of comfort, technology, and refined styling; the popular entry-level Ford Territory SUV known for its spaciousness and family-friendly features; and the capable and versatile Ford Everest SUV, catering to adventurous individuals and families seeking off-road capability and a premium driving experience. The Lincoln brand, too, is experiencing significant growth in the Middle East, with both the Nautilus and Corsair particularly capturing the attention of discerning luxury car buyers. A sophisticated SUV that exemplifies modern luxury and refinement, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus recently earned the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, solidifying its commitment to safety and substance as well as style, while the Corsair compact SUV offers a perfect balance of sophistication, performance, and technology. Ford's commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond the initial purchase through the Ford Guest Experience (FGE), which empowers sales and service staff to deliver personalized experiences, streamline operations, and create memorable moments for every customer. From online service bookings to mobile service vehicles, the brand is dedicated to providing effortless convenience and exceptional support throughout the ownership journey. Ford Middle East, as the only region home to all three Raptor nameplates – Ranger Raptor, F-150 Raptor, and Bronco Raptor – also continues to cater to its enthusiasts seeking high-performance off-road capabilities on the back of growing popularity of its Ford Performance vehicles. The high-performance division of Ford is no doubt amidst a stellar era of excitement, celebrating a podium finish at the Dakar Rally in its debut year, and has announced its return to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2027. Prior to that, still, is the brand's highly anticipated return to Formula 1 after more than two decades, having entered a long-term strategic technical partnership with Red Bull Powertrains for the development of the next-gen hybrid power unit to be used from the 2026 Formula 1 season onwards. Further Q1 2025 highlights, contributing to the Ford's ever increasing popularity in the Middle East, include the recently inaugurated Parts Distribution Center in Dubai, which is already streamlining parts availability and enhancing service levels, directly benefiting customers in the region. Additionally, the UAE launch of Ford's versatile and reliable Transit van – with imminent plans to expand its availability to Saudi Arabia – and the now available FordPass® app, providing customers with seamless connectivity and convenience, elevating the ownership experience. Ford Middle East is committed to delivering a diverse and exciting product lineup in 2025, with several upcoming Ford and Lincoln product launches – such as the all-new Expedition, first-ever Mustang Mach E, new Territory, all-new Navigator and Lincoln Way® – planned for the year.
