Arabian Pathfinders

Arabian Automobiles Company, one of the largest automobile distributors in the Gulf and the sole distributor of Nissan, Infiniti, and Renault in the Northern Emirates, announced today that they will invest over $136 million over the next three years to expand its sales and services facilities in and around Dubai. The company, which is owned by AW Rostamani Corporation, will construct its largest logistics facility on three million square feet in Dubai Industrial City, with the capacity to hold 12,000 cars. The facility will cost $95.3 million.

The firm's goal is to capture at least 25% of Dubai's local car market by 2010.

In 2006, 236,515 cars were sold in the United Arab Emirates, an increase of 23 percent over 2005. According to Arabian Automobiles statistics, the sales of Japanese cars between January and April of 2007 grew 32.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Despite political tensions in the Middle East and the rising cost of living in Dubai, the auto market is hot. At least Arabian Auto is banking on it.

Sources: Middle East North Africa Financial Network (Jordon), AW Rostamani/Arabian Automobiles, AME Info, Gulf News