Portrait of a Nation: Man and his driving ambition

When Sayed Alam filled in for a friend at Al Masaood Motors in 1976, a little history was made, Ayesha Al Khoori writes.

Sayed Humayun Alam’s path to success started in 1976 and has taken him far in the motor trade. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

ABU DHABI // Sayed Humayun Alam’s journey to his position as one of the most respected figures in the UAE motor trade, began with a happy accident nearly 40 years ago.

Now the director of sales and marketing at nationwide brand Al Masaood Motors, Mr Alam came to the UAE in the mid-1970s after his father, a diplomat, arrived in Abu Dhabi in 1974.

“That was in the early stages of the UAE federation,” said Mr Alam. “I used to study in those days. I came here in the summer of 1974 and 1975 and I graduated in 1976.”

That year, it was a favour to a friend that started his career as a junior salesman in Al Masaood Motors.

“He [the friend] was travelling to the Montreal Olympics and he asked me to take over the job for three months. I’ve stayed for more than 38 years.”

Just like the UAE, the nature of the motor trade has changed in that time.

“There has been a lot of evolution in the product planning and the product itself,” he said.

He points to one of the most popular cars in Al Masaood’s range – the Nissan Patrol, which was introduced in 1988.

“This is the third time we have modified the vehicle, and in 2010 we brought in the all new Patrol, which is called Batal Al Duroob, or The King of Challenge,” he said.

While he considers many customers as friends, Mr Alam says their satisfaction is important for building the business.

“I am now serving grandfathers, fathers, their children, and now a fourth generation.”

Today, Al Masaood Motors has 28 products on sale, including three brands – Nissan, Infiniti and Renault.

“Every year we sell 16,000 vehicles, so multiply that by the years,” he said of his career.

Every decade, Mr Alam said, sales have increased. His target for this year is to sell 18,000 vehicles.

Mr Alam said living in the UAE all these years had also made him a better person.

“You become wiser, more forward thinking. You build relationships with nationals.”

He speaks fluent Arabic, which he says has helped him to develop friendships with his clients.

“I have learnt respect, courtesy, kindness and generosity from the UAE culture. And the best part is the sense of security, I feel safe and don’t need to look back.”