Ford Veteran Takes on New Expanded Role
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Ford Middle East has begun 2024 with the appointment of Ravi Ravichandran as President as it gears up to deliver reimagined customer experiences, launch exciting new vehicles, sustain brands and sales growth, and lay the groundwork for bringing its electric vehicles to the region starting 2025.
Ravichandran takes on his new responsibility after three years as Executive Director – Middle East Operations for Ford International Markets Group (IMG) – a role in which he was responsible for the growth and profitability of the Ford and Lincoln brands with its distributor partners across the Middle East.
Ravichandran brings more than two decades of experience in the automotive industry. He joined Ford Motor Company in 1997 and during his tenure held various positions in marketing and sales, strategy and finance, and production operations in India, China, the Middle East and African markets. .
“The automotive industry in the Middle East is expected to continue its stable expansion until 2024, driven by the development of customer demand for vehicles, the mitigation of supply-side disruptions, the economic expansion in the region, and government projects to promote the automotive sector, in Saudi Arabia, Arabia,” Ravichandran said.
Ford Middle East aims to leverage the impressive platform built in 2023, on which sales were up 70% year-on-year, for one of the most sought-after car brands in the region.
Ravichandran has promoted Sami Malkawi and Pedro Simões to new, senior and expanded roles at Ford Middle East.
After seven years at Lincoln Middle East (the last two and a half years as CEO), Malkawi is now general manager of Ford and Lincoln’s Middle East operations.
With 15 years of automotive experience spanning sales, marketing, connectivity, distribution development, P&L, and customer service, Malkawi brings a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to his new role, in which he aims to expand Ford and Lincoln’s market reach across the region.
As CEO of any of the car brands, Malkawi will strengthen relationships with suppliers and partners, working with the former to optimize sales and marketing efforts, while supporting them with comprehensive training. “Having held the position at Lincoln, I already know our dealer network at a deeper level, which allows us to unleash our business priorities without delay,” he said.
He will also work intensively with Ford Middle East’s Customer Experience team to achieve satisfaction and loyalty through innovative new customer-centric initiatives.
In the meantime, Simões takes on an expanded role as director of marketing, advertising vehicles and fleets for Ford and Lincoln, following a decade of experience in logo and product marketing in passenger cars, SUVs and advertising vehicles – the last three years in which he was chief marketing officer. at Ford Middle East.
Simões said Ford’s brand perception has been on an upward trajectory, and the company plans to maintain its steady growth through 2024. “On one side, we have an amazing lineup of must-have exciting products, maybe the best ever, and we will continue to invest in refreshing them. Additionally, to address the increased customer demand, we will be adding soon more electrification to our product range, expanding the offering available to our customers.
As Ford Middle East embarks on this journey, those leadership adjustments pave the way for an exciting future, building on the successes of 2023 and setting a course for new horizons in the Middle East’s dynamic automotive landscape.
Beyond 2024, the company recently broke ground on the upcoming DB Schenker – Ford Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) in the Dubai Logistics District, which is part of Dubai World Central. The 41,792 m² PDC, which is scheduled to start operations in January 2025, will be a consolidated garage and distribution site, ensuring greater availability of portions, optimizing stock control and visitor service.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company committed to helping build a better world, where everyone can move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for expansion and cost creation combines existing assets, new features and ongoing visitor relationships to enrich the visitor experience and loyalty. Ford develops and offers cutting-edge, must-have Ford trucks, gaming app cars, vans and advertising cars, as well as Lincoln luxury cars and connected facilities. The company achieves this through three visitor-focused business segments: Ford Blue, which designs iconic gasoline and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, which invented revolutionary electric cars and embedded software that delivers exceptional virtual experiences for all consumers; and Ford Pro, which helps advertising consumers reshape and grow their businesses with cars and facilities tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford pursues mobility solutions through Ford Next and offers financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs approximately 177,000 people worldwide. You can learn more about the company and its products and facilities at Corporate. ford. com.
Contacts:
Rania Al-Shurafa Communications Manager, Ford Middle East
Jessica El Rami Senior Account Manager Hill
rania. shurafa@ford. com
jessica. elrami@hillandknowlton. com
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