Zubair, Shanfari groups tie-up for Dhofar Automotive

The new company will sell, distribute and service cars and parts for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles across the Sultanate

An exciting new era for world beating American car brands is now underway in Oman with the launch of Dhofar Automotive – an innovative new joint venture from the Zubair and Shanfari companies. Before the joint venture both Zubair Automotive Group and Shanfari Automotive distributed and sold Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge throughout the Sultanate but now customers will have a far simpler interaction through one Dhofar Automotive outlet in Oman’s main population centres. The newly formed automotive powerhouse is creating a single company for the sale and distribution of the popular Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge (CJD) brands of cars and SUVs from showrooms across the Sultanate.

Customer service and satisfaction is at the very heart of the new company with management committed to ensuring trouble free motoring combined with a low cost of ownership for new and existing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles that has seen record breaking sales in the Sultanate in the last three years.

Service is the key
Speaking at the launch of the new company, Zubair Automotive Group chairman Hani Al Zubair, who will be chairman of the new joint venture company, said: “We are very proud to announce this new joint venture that introduces an exciting new era for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge customers and our commitment to offer them trouble free motoring delivered through the best prices and levels of services, better maintenance and repair that will give them a lower cost of ownership.”

The new Dhofar Automotive Board of Directors will comprise Hani Al Zubair as chairman, Dr. Adil Said Al Shanfari as vice chairman, board members Husam Al Zubair and Sachin Bawa and managing director Serdar Toktamis. Chris Edwards will become general manager of the newly created company. He currently manages the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands on behalf of Shanfari Automotive. The new company will also include the RAM and Mopar brands within its portfolio.

Dr. Shanfari, vice-chairman of the Shanfari Group of Companies added: “Today’s announcement is a major step forward for the automotive business here in Oman and our joint venture has been developed based on putting the interests of the customer first and foremost in our thinking. Our customers will now benefit from highly competitive maintenance prices for their vehicles and we are making a significant investment in tools, equipment and training of our technicians to help deliver trouble free motoring in the future.”

The investment that is being committed by Dhofar Automotive also includes the development and construction of a state of the art showroom, sales and servicing (3S) facility in Wattayah as the company’s flagship operation. The company has also identified another location in Muscat that will have a servicing and parts facility with the option to develop a showroom as well to provide another convenient location for customers in the capital area. The new company has the full support and backing of Chrysler Group Middle East and North Africa. Its managing director Jack Rodencal says, “We have enjoyed a long and hugely successful partnership with these leading Omani business houses. The creation of this new integrated business is a development we fully endorse as a logical progression that reflects the way that our three brands of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge have become one business in recent years.”

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