AGMC, the Rolls-Royce dealership in Dubai, has taken Abu Dhabi’s crown as the Mena region’s most successful dealership and the most successful dealership in the world.
Abu Dhabi Motors had been the region’s and the world’s busiest Rolls-Royce dealership for the past three years. Globally the high-end marque recorded its second best year in 2016 delivering 4,011 cars, 6 per cent higher than the previous year.
Rolls-Royce said the Middle East was the only region where sales fell – they rose 51 per cent in Japan, 28 per cent in Europe and 5 per cent in Asia-Pacific.
The bespoke car manufacturers said the region’s slowdown was caused by economic and political uncertainty, factors that led to a fall in demand for all luxury goods last year.
Despite the low oil price and challenging market conditions the Middle East ended the year as the third largest market.
“While it’s a surprise that Abu Dhabi has fallen, it’s no surprise that Dubai and the UAE is still the No 1 dealership in the world,” said Bill Carter, head of research at Autodata Middle East.
He said that Abu Dhabi with its hydrocarbon dependence will have experienced more layoffs in the energy sector and that may have had an effect on the car sales.
“The fact still remains that the UAE loves its high-end, prestige cars and regardless of the political and economic uncertainty it is still a great region for luxury sales. The new Dawn model is not suited to the region because of its soft top and yet the UAE still topped the world rankings for sales.”
Last year Rolls-Royce launched the Dawn, Wraith Black Badge and Ghost Black Badge.
ascott@thenational.ae
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