Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE Chinese are motoring into the automobile market in the Gulf region and are set to woo a growing number of new fans following a recently-signed alliance between car manufacturer BYD Auto Company and Fakhro Motors.
Fakhro Motors was established in 2007 and consists of car sales and workshop divisions and already boasts a glowing customer service reputation regarding servicing and maintenance.
Mohammed Fakhro, the company's director of business development, said: "The introduction of BYD is a great opportunity to help cement Bahraini and Chinese commercial relations and is possibly the most exciting addition to the Fakhro Group - not least because, in a still tender financial climate, the BYD cars provide a great combination of genuine value-for-money and very high quality too."
BYD is exciting because it is one of China's most surprising success stories. Established in 2003 within five years its F3 sedan had become the best-seller in its segment in China topping the likes of Toyota's Corolla and Volkswagen's Jetta.
Last year BYD sold more than 300,000 cars and it is now the fastest selling motor manufacturer in the Far East.
BYD is entering the Bahraini car market solely distributed through the Fakhro Group with three launch models. Mr Fakhro said the F3 integrates contemporary style with a versatile interior and doesn't compromise on quality or safety.
"This already successful model is joined by its sporty brother, the F3-R - which should certainly cause a stir on the Bahraini highways," he added. "At the luxury end, although not at a luxury price, is the F6 which encompasses innovation with high-end styling. Packed with luxury features, should you wish to, you can even adjust the driver's power seat in eight different ways!
"I am personally really excited by this new venture."
Prices range from BD3,900 to BD6,400 and two vehicles were snapped up within seconds of the Sitra showroom's launch last week.
The auto subsidiary, based in Shenzhen, is emerging as a leader in pure electric and plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles, as well as advanced battery technology. BYD, the parent company, is the world's second largest producer of rechargeable batteries and a supplier of IT components to Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and others.
The car manufacturer aims to significantly increase its vehicle exports during 2010 on the back of a stabilising global economic scenario, reports Reuters.
Paul Lin, marketing manager of BYD, said that the company is currently targeting exports of up to 10 pert cent of its overall 2010 sales volumes, forecast as being 800,000 vehicles.
Eyeing strong demand for its upcoming electric vehicles and other fuel-efficient models in key markets such as the US and Europe, BYD has 'extremely ambitious' plans for the future.
GulfWeekly hopes to offer readers a test drive report, next week.
