AbouGhali Auto Leads a New Era in the Automotive Industry with the Launch of Sandstorm in Egypt
With a clear vision and a strong grasp of the market needs, AbouGhali fills an apparent void in the market with the launch of Sandstorm in Egypt. Brought by AbouGhali Auto, the bold Emirati brand makes its debut in the Egyptian automotive market with its double-cabin pick-up, offering top-tier specification at unrivalled prices supported by the GAFTA agreement.
The launch of this brand is just the beginning of a promising future and a new Era in the automotive industry led by AbouGhali Auto. With definite plans, a well-defined strategy, and a longstanding legacy, AbouGhali earned the trust of their Emirati partners, marking a step forward in positioning Egypt as an exporting hub of Sandstorm to other regions around the globe.
On the sidelines of the launch event, we had an in-depth conversation with Eng. Moustafa Abou Ghali, CEO of Abou Ghali Auto, where he extensively shares insights on the launch of Sandstorm in Egypt and speaks further on the company’s vision that extends beyond being the brand’s distributors in the market.
Eng. Moustafa Abou Ghali, CEO of Abou Ghali Auto
First, congratulations on the launch of Sandstorm in Egypt. Could you please tell us what inspired the decision to bring an Emirati automotive brand to Egypt?
Actually, there are several factors that contribute to this decision. First, which is the most important pillar, is the quality. The UAE has stringent regulations when it comes to road safety and the types of vehicles it allows on its own roads. Accordingly, when the Emiratis decide to embark on a vehicle manufacturing endeavor, you can rest assured that the quality and specifications of this vehicle are impeccable.
Secondly, we have strong confidence in our partnership with the Emirati shareholders and we believe it holds great promise. Sandstorm is owned by Alpha Dhabi Holding, a subsidiary of IHC (International Holding Company), the largest Emirati conglomerate by market capitalization, listed on the Abu Dhabi stock market, and is worth more than 200billion dollars. With shareholders as strong and serious as these conglomerates, we are confident that they’re in for long-term, worthwhile investments, both locally and regionally.
Third, which is a pivotal reason why AbouGhali Auto decided on this launch, is that Egypt and the UAE are part of the GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area), and by virtue of this agreement, vehicles originating from the UAE and imported to Egypt are customs-exempt. Hence, the commercial aspect of the business, placing Sandstorm vehicles ahead of the competition with unrivalled customs-free price.
Last but not least, the fact that we’re witnessing the launch of an Arab car with marvelous potential is very promising, and I believe Sandstorm will have a great future here in Egypt. Worth mentioning, our Emirati partners are keen on positioning Egypt as the hub for the growth of this brand in the region.