Ford Middle East and Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co. (AJVA), the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer in Saudi Arabia, brought the legendary F-150 and Ranger Built Ford Tough pickup trucks closer to Saudi customers through a unique roadshow across 10 major Saudi cities, dubbed the largest of its kind. The series of events witnessed a huge success as they progressed from Najran, to Jazan, Abha, Jeddah, Mad?nah, Tabuk, Hail, Al Qassim, Riyadh and Dammam. The truck tour offered an ideal platform to engage customers with the legendary Ford F-150 full-size pickup trucks, America's best-selling for 36 straight years, as well as the Ranger, Ford's famous compact pickup. And according to Thierry Sabbagh, Ford Middle East's Regional Sales director, the roadshow has proved successful, as demand for Ford trucks has grown substantially during the first four months of the year. “The F-150 and Ranger trucks continue growing in popularity as well as preference in the Kingdom,” he said. “The F-150 trucks registered a phenomenal 177 percent increase in sales during the first four months of the year, while the Ford Ranger recorded an impressive 73 percent growth.” Entitled “Unleash the Beast” and considered the largest roadshow and first of its kind in the region, this unique roadshow toured 10 main cities across Saudi Arabia, starting from Najran all the way to Dammam, over a 10-week period, covering 5,000km. The “Unleash the Beast” series of events offered visitors multiple layers of fun and covered various activities where adults enjoyed the test-drives and stunts while young ones played fun-packed games. Fathers had the chance to test drive the Ford trucks, including the powerful F-150 SVT Raptor on a circuit filled with challenges. They also competed with their children over a race with remote controlled Ford F-150 Raptor models, and visited the demonstration zone to learn about the 65-year heritage of the F-Series trucks and the main features that make them America's best-selling trucks for 36 straight years. “This is the biggest truck event in Saudi Arabia which speaks of the legacy and leadership of Built Ford Tough trucks, and feedback so far has been fantastic,” said Paul Anderson, Ford Middle East's Regional Marketing director. “We were thrilled with our customers' enthusiastic response as they finished experiencing our trucks. The Ford F-Series trucks offer class-leading features and exclusive technologies, ranking them as the best and most powerful in their category. It is no wonder why these trucks have been the best-selling for nearly four decades, uncontested leaders in their various categories.” Sabah Al Kraidees, Sales and Marketing director of Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co, said: “This roadshow reflects AJVA's commitment to continuously reach out to customers across the Kingdom, and helps us demonstrate the Ford truck leadership on the capability, technology and power fronts. We continue expanding our network to get closer to our customers, while launching innovative programs that engage them with the latest Ford models and their best-in-class features.” Ford F-Series, America's best-selling truck for 36 years running, deliver best-in-class horsepower, torque and fuel economy as well as deliver unmatched payload capabilities across the range. The F-150 offers three different powertrains in the Middle East, all equipped with a revised six-speed automatic transmission. Each engine delivers improved fuel economy, outstanding performance and class-leading capability: the 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8, each with fuel-saving and performance-enhancing twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) technology, and a version of the 6.2-liter V8 that is the base engine in the Ford F-Series Super Duty. The wide range of powertrain options is complemented by the greater variety of offerings in the 2013 F-150 as well as the expanded content. A 4.2-inch LCD message center and larger in-mirror rear view camera screen are among the customer conveniences available. The F-150 SVT Raptor is the first-ever high-speed off-road performance truck offered by any manufacturer and highlights 36 years of Ford truck sales leadership by emphasizing F-150's Built Ford Tough durability, innovation and engineering. Developed with the DNA of an off-road pre-runner, the Raptor has comprehensive modifications focused on chassis and suspension enhancements. The F-150 SVT Raptor is 7 inches wider than a base F-150 to make room for the additional suspension components that give Raptor its unparalleled off-road abilities. The wider stance also gives the truck an aggressive appearance. The new class-leading Ford Ranger joins the Built Ford Tough truck range redefining the compact pickup truck segment. It combines the toughness and capability of a pickup truck with smart technology, outstanding safety, excellent fuel economy, quality and comfort. Capable of handling even the most challenging topography, Ranger has been extensively tested to ensure it continues its Built Ford Tough heritage. Come flood or high water, the new Ford Ranger confidently takes it all in its durable stride, buoyed by its best-in-class water-wading capability of 800 mm. The 4x4 and 4x2 Hi-Rider models can wade through deep water even while carrying a full load. The all-new Ranger combines the safety and security systems of passenger cars with the ruggedness and dependability of a pickup truck. It creates a combination of features and performance that is unmatched. Fuel economy is also high on the Ranger's list, as it delivers more while sipping less, thanks to highly fuel-efficient engines that give the truck the power and torque to get the job done without burning a hole in the owner's pocket. Ford Ranger is available with three engines: 2.5 petrol, 2.2 diesel and 3.2 diesel. — SG
