BMW Group has unveiled the world's biggest and most technologically-advanced BMW service facility in Jeddah on Tuesday. Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, the exclusive importer of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce in Saudi Arabia, invested SR150 million to put up the state-of-the-art service facility as a further demonstration of its strong commitment to its customers in the Kingdom and BMW Group. The official customer launch and start of operation is scheduled for Saturday. The biggest standalone service center covers a total area of 40,500 square meters (the equivalent size of five football pitches), and houses a hi-tech workshop - including 66 mechanical work bays - a body shop with 22 work bays and paint shop with 16 work bays and the latest paint mix system and technology, a national parts distribution centre and an extensive training centre with the latest online and practical exercise equipment. The VIP opening of the new ultra-modern facility was attended by Sheikh Mohamed Yousuf Naghi, president of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, Phil Horton, managing director of BMW Group Middle East and Anees Jamjoom, managing director of Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors. Speaking at the official opening of the service facility, Horton said: “Saudi Arabia is a market of great importance to BMW Group and the opening of this service center in Jeddah demonstrates our partner's commitment to providing not only the best vehicles, but also the best service for our customers. Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors is raising the bar and will help secure our position as the leaders in the premium automotive sector.” “This facility reflects the quality and premium positioning that is rooted in the BMW brand,” he added. He further said that despite the “challenging times” affecting the industry, BMW sees “great opportunity of continued growth in the Middle East, particularly in the Kingdom. BMW sold 1.5 million cars in 2008, and out of more than 2,000 units sold in the Kingdom, 30 percent went to 7 series. The design of the new facility, that will house over 120 employees, has been based on BMW Group's latest automotive industry research, with a strong focus on process workflow and customer care. The technicians of the center were trained in Germany and in the regional center in Dubai, and are given training from time to time for new models. BWM has also teams of “flying” technical advisors from Germany who are always on the go wherever they are needed. Sheikh Mohamed Yousuf Naghi said: “The opening of the world's biggest BMW service facility is a testament to the importance of the Saudi market for the premium automotive sector, and we are committed to offering our customers the best service. “As well as investing in advanced facilities we are also investing in our people to ensure that our dedicated managers, sales executives and service teams operate to the highest international standards.” Reiner Braun, Sales and Marketing director, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, told the Saudi Gazette that the center offers utmost convenience to customers as its “drive in” workflow allows the customer to drive the car to the reception area “without any hassle,” rather than the conventional way of looking for a parking area outside. Moreover, a capacity planning system for bookings is installed that virtually eliminates waiting time for diagnostic checkup. Besides, the new center has also a fast lane service for all repairs that can be done in less than two hours, Braun added. The ultra-modern service center is one-of-its-kind as it is connected online around the clock to the BMW headquarters in Munich so that any problem that might arise in the center that needs technical advice and guidance could be immediately attended to and solved, Braun further said, adding that parts ordered online from the headquarters can reach the place where they are needed within two days if they can be transported by air. He also pointed out that all diagnostic equipment are connected to wireless Internet access. Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors is the most successful importer in terms of sales of the flagship 7 Series model, and the expansion plans will further boost its position in the region and help drive sales forward. Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors expects to raise by 35 percent its sales volume for BMW 7 series next year. BMW officials said that demand exceeds supply despite the weak global economy and financial crisis affecting most of the trading countries. The price of BMW 740 ranges from SR390,000 to SR425,000; BMW 750 is priced between SR480,000 to SR530,000; and BMW X650i costs SR415,000. “We are in the process of an aggressive strategic expansion plan, including the opening of the BMW used-car facility, MINI Showroom in Dhabbab Street, Riyadh,” added Sheikh Mohamed Yousuf Naghi. __
