Future positive for UAE motoring, says Al-Futtaim chief

Andy Barratt is upbeat about what lies ahead for the company, despite difficulties caused by the pandemic

Andy Barratt started his career managing and building car brands in the UK. Courtesy Al-Futaim Automotive

Businesses across the globe have faced difficulties in the light of the pandemic, with many suffering assorted fortunes over the past year. Not least are those involved in the motoring industry, who were already facing tough questions over what they were producing, and how radically their models might have to change.

Al-Futtaim Automotive, one of the UAE's main vehicle distributors, is bullish about the future though. The company inched up its market share a small percentage in the time since February 2020 and hopes for further recovery over the coming months.

Andy Barratt, managing director or Al-Futtaim Lexus and Al-Futtaim Toyota, said the success was because of the company's "continued commitment" to its customers.

“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,” he said.

Part of the success, he added, was the Emirates itself.

“The UAE has advantages in the fact that it is a very advanced and dynamic country with the ability to develop and adapt infrastructure quickly to allow for new technologies that will come as transport evolves,” Barratt said. “With the UAE we have a very advanced and highly educated consumer base so it is more about acceptance rather than education so this allows the country to adopt the future quickly.”

Like any car manufacturer with an eye on the future, Toyota and Lexus have made electric vehicles a key element of its ongoing strategy. Barratt also sees this as positive for future business.

"We’re starting to see more electrified vehicles on the roads of the UAE and that will only grow as people start to accept this new technology," he said.

Al-Futtaim Automotive is one of five divisions within the Al-Futtaim Group. The company has been the sole distributor for Toyota in the UAE for more than six decades.