Suzuki outlines strategy to strengthen Middle East presence during second Steering Committee meeting
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The meeting agenda included key issues such as the customization of their products to fit unique Middle Eastern environments and vital improvements in after-sales services to meet the varied and growing requirements of regional customers. The Steering Committee will ensure the implementation of all the strategies and plans discussed at the meeting.
The discussions at the annual meeting were based on comprehensive market studies conducted by Suzuki to determine the performance of each Suzuki vehicle in every Middle Eastern market where the company has a distributor presence. The study analysed the strengths and drawbacks of various Suzuki models in a given market and also looked into the demographic aspects such as average age group of buyers of a particular model. Another important element covered by the study was exploring the most effective media tool that Suzuki needs to adopt in the Middle East to gain maximum publicity and media exposure for its vehicles.
“Suzuki enjoys a large and valuable Middle Eastern customer base which it hopes to further expand through new key marketing and advertising programs. We want to explore all areas to ensure that our regional discussions are highly productive and we want our distributors to be fully informed of the enhanced comfort, safety and efficiency features of our upcoming models, which will further boost Suzuki's regional image,” said Takeo Fukuda, Group Leader, Middle East & Africa, Marketing Group (Automobile), SMC.
“Strategically, the Middle East is a very important market for us and we have been investing considerable resources in this market. The elaborate market studies that we regularly conduct here have enabled us to tailor our vehicles in line with expectations and requirements of customers in the region,” he added.
The Suzuki Strategic Regional meeting is held each year to unify the efforts of SMC distributors, which are geared towards enhancing the Suzuki image and providing excellent marketing opportunities for the new cars through a unified marketing, advertising and PR campaign throughout the region.
In addition to Takeo Fukuda and Takeomi Nakai, Middle East / Africa Marketing Group (Automobile), Suzuki Motor Corporation, this year's Steering Committee comprised Mohammad Malak from Al Rostamani Trading Company, UAE; Abdul Rafe Khan from Bamarouf Group Suzuki Saudia, KSA; P. Sunil from Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co., Oman; Nabil Bazerji from G.A. Bazerji & Sons Co., Lebanon; and senior representatives from Links Arabia, SMC's Communication Agency in the Middle East.
“The integrated efforts of our regional distributors have resulted in a significant enhancement in market performance of Suzuki vehicles in recent months. We are confident that our new marketing plans and strategic initiatives will enable us to sustain our position as one of the most competitive automobile brands in the Arab World,” concluded Fukuda.