Toyota's Executive Vice President Visits the UAE

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, December 17th 2013: The Executive Vice President and member of the Board of Toyota Motor Corporation, Mr Yasumori Ihara, visited the UAE last week as a special Al-Futtaim Motors guest.

During his visit Mr Ihara attended the launch event of the all-new Toyota Corolla, toured the Toyota Al Badia Service Centre and met with Mr Abdullah Al-Futtaim, Chairman of Al-Futtaim Group. He was accompanied by Mr Koji Nagata General Manager, Middle East & South West Asia Sales & Marketing Division, and Mr Shinichi Yasui, the Chief Engineer of Corolla.

During his visit, Mr Ihara said: “We have been working with Al-Futtaim for almost six decades and see them as an important strategic partner in the region.  2013 has been an exciting year for the UAE with the launch of several new Toyota vehicles, culminating in the 2014 Corolla. The UAE already has a large base of loyal Toyota customers and with the economic growth expected in the country, in addition to the recent news about the Expo 2020 win, I expect we will see many more Toyota's on the roads.”

As part of his tour, Mr Ihara also visited the Al Badia service centre in Dubai Festival City. “The Toyota, Al Badia service centre is a great facility that reflects the strength of the Toyota brand in the UAE. It is a pertinent demonstration of the importance that Al-Futtaim Motors continues to place in customer engagement and service innovation,” he added.

Mr Ihara also spoke about the global appeal of the Corolla model, a car which has been in production for the last 47 years and sold over 40 million units, more than any other automotive nameplate in history.

Len Hunt President of Al-Futtaim Automotive Group said: “It was an honour and a pleasure to host Mr. Yasumori Ihara in the UAE and his visit demonstrates the importance of the UAE and Al-Futtaim Motors to Toyota.  We are determined to continue innovating, with customers central to everything we do, so we can build on this legacy.”  

“During his visit to the UAE, Ihara san was impressed by how Al-Futtaim Motors represents the Toyota brand in the UAE and by the exciting launch of the all new Corolla. During his visit to Al Badia he was also very pleased with the quality and customer care that is being delivered to customers on a daily basis,” added Jon Williams, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Motors.  

Mr Yasumori Ihara serves as an Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation as well as its Chief Officer of the Purchasing Group. He joined Toyota in 1975 and he has been a Director of Toyota Motor Corporation since June 2009. He has also served as Chief Officer of the Business Development Group and Chief Officer of IT & ITS Group.

About Al-Futtaim Motors- ToyotaAl-Futtaim Motors is a member of the Al-Futtaim Group, the leading UAE business conglomerate. It has operated the Toyota franchise in the United Arab Emirates for almost 6 decades. The company started its operation in 1955 with the arrival of the first shipment of 28 Land Cruisers and Toyopets from Japan. It has since become the largest distributor of automobiles and automotive products in the UAE and the company has gone from strength to strength expanding its presence through a network of high profile Toyota showrooms and service centres providing convenient touch points for motorists in every corner of the UAE. Al-Futtaim Motors offers a comprehensive choice of Toyota models ranging from compact, sedan, SUV, MPV and LCV options. While the Yaris Hatchback monopolises the compact range, the Sedan series offers a wide choice of vehicles such as Yaris Sedan, Corolla, Camry, Avalon and Aurion. The SUV range comprises the legendary Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado, FJ Cruiser, Fortuner, Sequoia and RAV4. While the MPV range features Innova and Previa, the LCV line up covers the Land Cruiser Pick-up, Hilux, Hiace and Coaster. Al-Futtaim Motors recently launched the much awaited sports car, the front engine rear wheel drive Toyota 86. The company currently operates 14 Toyota showrooms conveniently located across the UAE. For more information please log on to www.toyota.ae; https://www.facebook.com/ToyotaUAE