Al-Futtaim Automotive reveals strong start to 2021 for Toyota and Lexus

(MENAFN - Mid-East.Info) Al-Futtaim Toyota further inched up market share, ending February at 34.3%, up 0.2% versus February 2020 New SUV models including the CHR and Toyota Highlander drove growth for Al-Futtaim Toyota with sales up 6.7% and 2.8% respectively year on year Al-Futtaim Lexus sales growth increased by 14% in February 2021 and market share is up 2% from 18% in January 2021 to 20% in February 2021 Sales growth increase in February 2021 was supported by the LX570 with sales up 8% respectively month on month News comes as new Managing Director Andy Barratt takes the helm for Lexus and Toyota in the UAE start-to-2021-for-toyota-and-lexus/andy-barratt/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?fit=1000%2C800 & ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,800" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{" aperture":"4.5","credit":"","camera":"canon="" eos="" 5ds="" r","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1612089495","copyright":"","focal_length":"65","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"","orientation":"1"}"="" data-image-title="andy-barratt" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?fit=300%2C240 & ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?fit=640%2C512 & ssl=1" loading="lazy" width="300" height="240" src="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize=300%2C240&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-28030 jetpack-lazy-image" data-recalc-dims="1" data-lazy-="" "https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="300%2C240" &="" ssl="1" 300w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="768%2C614" &="" ssl="1" 768w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="696%2C557" &="" ssl="1" 696w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="525%2C420" &="" ssl="1" 525w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?w="1000" &="" ssl="1" 1000w"="" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-lazy-src="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize=300%2C240 & is-pending-load=1#038;ssl=1" "data:image/gif;base64,r0lgodlhaqabaiaaaaaaap///yh5baeaaaaalaaaaaabaaeaaaibraa7"=""> start-to-2021-for-toyota-and-lexus/andy-barratt/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?fit=1000%2C800 & ssl=1" data-orig-size="1000,800" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{" aperture":"4.5","credit":"","camera":"canon="" eos="" 5ds="" r","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1612089495","copyright":"","focal_length":"65","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"","orientation":"1"}"="" data-image-title="andy-barratt" data-image-description="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?fit=300%2C240 & ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?fit=640%2C512 & ssl=1" loading="lazy" width="300" height="240" src="https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize=300%2C240&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-28030" "https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="300%2C240" &="" ssl="1" 300w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="768%2C614" &="" ssl="1" 768w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="696%2C557" &="" ssl="1" 696w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?resize="525%2C420" &="" ssl="1" 525w,="" https://i0.wp.com/mid-east.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/andy-barratt.jpg?w="1000" &="" ssl="1" 1000w"="" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-recalc-dims="1">Andy Barratt, Managing Director Al-Futtaim Lexus and Al-Futtaim Toyota Dubai, UAE: After quickly adapting to a tumultuous year which impacted the automotive industry globally, Al-Futtaim Automotive has started 2021 as it means to go on stabilizing its business and continuing its recovery and market share growth. The Al-Futtaim Group company today announced a strong start to the year for two of its leading automotive marques in the UAE. The news comes three months after automotive veteran Andy Barratt was appointed Managing Director of both Al-Futtaim Toyota and Al-Futtaim Lexus in the UAE at the start of the year.� New models joining Al-Futtaim Toyota's portfolio were met with strong demand with the Highlander (+2.8%) and CHR (+6.7%) contributing to most of the increase in market share up from 34.1% in February 2020 compared to 34.3% in February 2021.  The Toyota C-HR changed the rules of the compact SUV game in one bold stroke when it landed in the UAE in May. This ultra-stylish vehicle which combines daring design with a responsive drive and class-leading eco-friendly technology, contributed to strong sales across 2020 and into the first few months of the new year.  The Highlander proves that large vehicle can also be eco-friendly and is one of five hybrid-electric models Al-Futtaim Toyota offers, underscoring its commitment to green motoring in the UAE.  Pick ups continue to dominate the UAE Market with market share increasing to 48% in February 2021, up 16.8% versus February 2020 with the Toyota Hilux, which was made available as a retail model for the first time in 2020, outperforming February 2020 sales by 13%. Al-Futtaim Toyota's strong focus on Hiace Vans and Commuters has helped to increase Toyota's van market share to 58.3%, up 8.5% from the same time last year.  Lexus' flagship SUV and main volume contributor, the LX570, continues to dominate the large SUV segment with over 50% market share, an increase of 3% in February 2021 over January 2021. The beauty of the segment-leading LX 570 lies in its power and aggressive looks, as it handles even the most extreme driving conditions effortlessly taking customers from tackling off road trails during the day to become the showstopper when pulling up outside a red carpet event at night. The launch of the all-new Lexus IS in January 2021 saw sales of the mid-size sport sedan increase by over 63% and market share grow by 17% from January to February 2021 when compared to 2020 sales.  Another exciting model joined the Lexus lineup in January 2021 the new LC Convertible, which gained sales traction quickly achieving a market share of 7% in its first two months of sales. Andy Barratt, Managing Director Al-Futtaim Lexus and Al-Futtaim Toyota said: '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. Since joining the group, my role has been to apply Al-Futtaim's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus to the automotive division to enable us to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers. The increase in sales is a direct result of our continued commitment to our customers to deliver on our brand promise to enrich the lives of our customers every day. We have started strong and can assure customers of lots more exciting products for the rest of the year.' Aside from its product offering, both brands also introduced new and innovative ownership solutions such as retail and commercial leasing, which provides customers with tailor-fit packages that meet both their mobility as well as their financial needs.  Barratt comes with a wealth of experience, with a strong record in successfully managing and building car brands in the UK. Al-Futtaim Automotive is one of five divisions within the Al-Futtaim Group, which provides quality products and services that enrich people's lives and aspirations each and every day. About Al-Futtaim Toyota : Toyota, a Japanese automotive manufacturer founded in 1937, is the world's market leader in sales of hybrid electric vehicles. Toyota is exclusively distributed in the UAE by the Al-Futtaim Automotive Division, part of Al-Futtaim Group, for over 6 decades, and has been leading the sustainable mobility movement since 2008. In addition to the large line-up of vehicles ranging from SUV, compact, sedan, coupe, MPV and LCV options, Al-Futtaim Toyota introduced Camry Electric Hybrid Vehicle (HEV) in 2008 to taxi operator fleets, in an effort to actively contribute to a lower carbon footprint in the UAE. In 2016, Prius, the world's most popular HEV for over 20 years was launched in the country, in order to actively support UAE Vision 2021's environmental targets. 2017 saw the introduction of the zero-emission hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Toyota Mirai, in a pilot aiming at studying the possibilities of establishing a hydrogen-based, carbon-free society. As part of the program, the Mirai is being showcased to a number of key government stakeholders and is taking part in a number of events to give the public an understanding of what the future of zero-emissions motoring could look like. 2019 witnessed the launch of the first Hybrid SUV in the UAE from Al Futtaim Toyota, the RAV4 Hybrid, and the first Corolla Hybrid Electric ever which joined the UAE's Hybrid Nation to set new benchmarks for clean motoring. While the Yaris Hatchback monopolizes the compact range, the Sedan series offers a wide choice of vehicles such as Yaris Sedan, Corolla, Camry and Avalon. The SUV range comprises the legendary Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado, FJ Cruiser, Fortuner, Rush and RAV4. As for the MPV line-up, it features Innova, Previa and the 7-seat Avanza.  The LCV range covers the Land Cruiser Pick-up, Hilux, Hiace and Coaster. Dedicated to the purists' sports car is the front-engine rear-wheel-drive Toyota 86.  In September 2019, after a 17-year wait, Al-Futtaim Toyota launched the new 2020 Toyota GR Supra in the UAE, much to the delight of fans and loyalists across the country. With the all-new fifth-generation model, the legendary name returned to set the roads ablaze with a comeback only fitting of the Toyota Supra story.  Continuing its history of providing quality products that meet the demands of the market, the Al-Futtaim company also introduced the luxury people mover � the new 2020 Granvia in the UAE. With the launch of the latest Granvia, Al-Futtaim Toyota is committed to taking charge of the growing demand for high-end shuttles. Changing the rules of the compact-SUV game in one bold stroke, in May 2020 the all-new C-HR arrived in the UAE. The daringly innovative Compact-SUV combines adventurous design with a responsive drive and class-leading eco-friendly technology to bring the future of the Compact-SUV to customers. About Al-Futtaim Automotive : Al-Futtaim Automotive, one of the main five operating divisions within the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, is a conglomerate of motoring-related businesses, franchising some of the world's most-recognized automotive brands and services. Operating in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa and empowered by around 9,000 associates, the UAE-headquartered Group's services span across distribution of new and used vehicles, manufacturing, leasing, and aftersales. Ranging from passenger cars to SUVs, commercial vehicles, industrial and construction equipment as well as motorbikes and quads, Al-Futtaim Automotive Group offers an integrative customer-centric experience for motorists, fleet operators and contractors alike, and strives to become the leader in tailor-made mobility solutions. About Al-Futtaim : Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and health; employing more than 42,000 employees in more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, we partner with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands.  Al-Futtaim's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.  By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, integrity; Al-Futtaim continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day. MENAFN04042021005446012082ID1101859772