Toyota and Lexus, two of Al-Futtaim Group's leading automotive brands in the UAE, have recorded a good start to the year.
The announcement comes three months after Andy Barratt, an automotive veteran, was appointed Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Toyota and Al-Futtaim Lexus in the UAE at the start of the year.
The Highlander (+2.8 percent ) and CHR (+6.7 percent ) contributed the majority of the growth in market share from 34.1 percent in February 2020 to 34.3 percent in February 2021, with the Highlander (+2.8 percent ) and CHR (+6.7 percent ) accounting for the majority of the increase.
When the Toyota C-HR arrived in the UAE in May, it modified the rules of the compact SUV game in one bold stroke. This ultra-stylish car, which blends bold design with a responsive drive and class-leading eco-friendly technology, helped the company achieve strong sales across 2020 and into the first few months of the new year. The Highlander demonstrates that a big vehicle can also be environmentally friendly, and it is one of five hybrid-electric models offered by Al-Futtaim Toyota in the UAE, demonstrating the company's dedication to green motoring.
Pickup trucks continue to dominate the UAE market, with a market share of 48 percent in February 2021, up 16.8 percent from February 2020, thanks to the Toyota Hilux, which was introduced as a retail model in 2020 and outperformed February 2020 sales by 13 percent. Al-Futtaim (Arabic: Toyota's heavy emphasis on Hiace Vans and Commuters has helped raise the company's van market share to 58.3 percent, up 8.5 percent from last year.
The LX570, Lexus' flagship SUV and main volume contributor, continues to dominate the large SUV category, with a market share of over 50% in February 2021, up 3% from January 2021. The beauty of the segment-leading LX 570 lies in its strength and aggressive looks, as it easily handles even the most severe driving conditions, enabling customers to go from navigating off-road trails during the day to being the showstopper when pulling up to a red carpet event at night.
When the all-new Lexus IS was launched in January 2021, sales of the mid-size sport sedan increased by over 63 percent, and market share increased by 17 percent, compared to sales in 2020. In January 2021, a new exciting model entered the Lexus lineup: the new LC Convertible, which rapidly gained momentum, gaining a market share of 7% in its first two months of sales.
Barratt said: “Despite a challenging year and slowing car sales in the region, Al-Futtaim Automotive increased sales across two of its key brands off the back of the introduction of innovative and much-anticipated enthusiast products. Since joining the group, my role has been to apply Al-Futtaim’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus to the automotive division to enable us to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers. The increase in sales is a direct result of our continued commitment to our customers to deliver on our brand promise to enrich the lives of our customers every day. We have started strong and can assure customers of lots more exciting products for the rest of the year.”
In addition to their product offerings, both brands have launched new and creative ownership options such as retail and industrial leasing, which provide consumers with custom-fit packages that meet both their mobility and financial needs.
Barratt brings a wealth of expertise to the table, including a track record of successfully operating and growing car brands in the United Kingdom. Al-Futtaim Automotive is one of the Al-Futtaim Group's five divisions, which offers high-quality goods and services that enrich people's lives and ambitions on a daily basis.