It has been 60 years since the first small shipment of Land Cruisers and Toyopets arrived on the shores of the Dubai Creek, paving the road for what would become the largest automotive distributor in the UAE under the banner of Al-Futtaim Motors.
Six decades on, Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributor of Toyota, Lexus, Hino and Toyota Material Handling Equipment in the UAE, has nurtured the business to develop it into an integral part of the fabric of the nation.
Today, the company marks this occasion with the first in a series of events, where customers and a select number of the UAE media representatives were invited to a trip through time at the Dubai Creek to experience the beginning of the Al-Futtaim Motors journey.
Jon Williams, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Motors, said: “Al-Futtaim Motors enjoys a rich history in the UAE, having played a key role in the development of the country. From a small consignment of cars in 1955, Al-Futtaim Motors has grown to become the leading automotive distributor in the UAE. We pride ourselves on having touched the lives of millions of people in the UAE, and this is a testament to the quality, reliability and durability of our vehicles, as well as the passion and care that we show our customers as an organization.”
With the joining of the Trucial States on December 2nd, 1971, the United Arab Emirates was formed. To support the economic growth that the country witnessed, Al-Futtaim Motors played a vital part bringing Toyota Material Handling Equipment and Hino trucks into the UAE, becoming instrumental in the development of the UAE’s infrastructure since the early 70’s.
The country continued to prosper, encouraging a more luxurious lifestyle amongst residents. In 1990, only a few months after the global launch of the premium Lexus brand, Al-Futtaim Motors imported a consignment of 138 Lexus LS series cars, which formed an immediate bond with the UAE royal families.
While expatriates flocked to the UAE in search of a better life, Al-Futtaim Motors grew to meet the needs of the new comers. The creation of the Dubai Taxi service in May 1995 saw the start of another enduring partnership between Al-Futtaim Motors and the Emirate. The first taxi fleet consisted of 81 vehicles, 66 of which were Toyota Camry cars, and today, Toyota vehicles make up 95% of the Dubai Taxi fleet.
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