Gulf Great Sands brings international automotive brand BAIC to Oman

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Gulf Great Sands LLC has announced a partnership with the leading international automotive group Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) for its range of passenger and light commercial vehicles.

BAIC is the fourth largest automotive group in China with a comprehensive portfolio of products, from passenger cars to light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. The BAIC Group has selected Oman as one of its core markets for international business expansion.

Li Ji, senior vice president, BAIC International, said, 'We are very happy to tie up with Gulf Great Sands, which is a reputed name in Oman and has a good understanding of the local market. Oman is one of focus markets for BAIC brand globalisation for which we are going to get many more products to suit the local market.'

The BAIC Group, having a history of over 58 years, has its headquarter in Beijing (China), a state of the art R & D centre in Beijing, a styling centre in Turin (Italy), eight major production bases all over China and ranks 160th among Fortune's Global 500 companies (2016).

Since 1980, BAIC has initiated cooperation with many internationally reputed automobile manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, Daimler AG, Hyundai and Suzuki.

In 2009, BAIC successfully purchased intellectual properties owned by SAAB. BAIC cooperates with world class automotive suppliers from USA, Europe and Japan to create a global supply chain system to ensure world-class quality.

The self-owned brands of the BAIC Group like Kenbo for passenger cars and Doda for light commercial vehicles and others cover an entire gamut of automobile businesses for which they currently employ 130,000 people.

Welcoming BAIC to Oman, chairman of Gulf Great Sands LLC, Sheikh Ahmed Bahwan, said, 'The BAIC Group has all the experience and expertise which has given us confidence on the product quality and safety standards. We are quite optimistic that customers of Oman will appreciate the BAIC products and therefore will bring success to this new automotive brand.'

Divyendu Kumar, managing director, said, 'We are very excited to bring the BAIC brand of vehicles to consumers in Oman. As in everything that we do, after-sales customer care will continue to be our major focus area. We have ensured a high level of parts availability and a fully trained team of technicians and technical staff with the help of BAIC international before the selling of BAIC cars commences in the market.'

European Engineering and Safety Standards

Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (SAAB) is a North European brand from Sweden. At the end of 2009, BAIC Motor acquired SAAB's core assets, including its 9-5/9-3 vehicle platform, turbo engine transmission, R & D, manufacturing and supplier systems. The SAAB unique front wheel drive and steering technology was also inherited by BAIC.
The unique reindeer horn body structure is sourced from SAAB's Safe Cage patented technology. The integrity of the passenger compartment is ensured using collapsible IP beam support design to reduce engine penetration in the passenger compartment.
Innovation and Capability

BAIC absorbs SAAB's core technologies intelligently and with this knowledge has developed the auto platform - the M-Trix platform. The M-Trix platform provides BAIC with the upper hand when it comes to competing internationally and gives it a leading edge with regards to research and development, production, workmanship and quality management. BAIC has a state of the art R & D centre in Beijing, with over US$62mn worth of investments and includes trial manufacturing, testing and styling departments.

BAIC in Oman

Gulf Great Sands has launched the Urban Explorer X65, fashionable A115 sedan and the stylish pickup Grand Tiger TUV and Grand Tiger G3. BAIC Oman is also committed to introducing many more new models in the near future based on local market demand.

X65-Urban Explorer

As the first crossover based on SAAB technologies, X65 combines the space of a MPV and comfort of a sedan. BAIC X65 ensures excellent performance with 2lt 174hp turbo engine, new-generation AISIN six speed automatic transmission with smart paddle shift. X65 Comfort has smart equipments like machine cut alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, leather seats, power driver seat, rear view camera, smart key and push button start, all of which provide customers with an enjoyable driving experience.

X65 inherits the European safety standards due to which it meets the five-star CNCAP rating and is equipped with safety features such as six airbags, Bluetooth, TPMS, ABS, EBD and parking sensors.

A115 - fashionable sedan

A115 is a fashionable and stylish compact sedan from BAIC, which exemplifies dynamism and subtle power. The standard dual airbag, ABS, cage-type body structure & doors made from integrated stamping technology contribute to its superior safety. A115 is equipped with a 1.5l, 113hp engine, four-speed AT.

Micro USB, glove box with cooler, power windows and mirror, keyless entry and 6/4 split rear seats make every day drive comfortable for all passengers. An alloy wheel, rear LED lights, hawkeye headlamps, a wide central mesh and flying wing-shaped front bumper give the dynamic and signature look of a luxury segment sedan.

It has an artistically crafted and robust grille and backwards-extending fog lamps. Additionally, 22 storage compartments meet all of your storage requirements.

Grand Tiger - TUV

The Grand Tiger TUV perfectly embodies the combination of style, space and safety like a lifestyle pickup and is available in both 2WD and 4WD options.

Its 2.4l engine with a five-speed manual transmission provides a refined performance; its overall length of 5310mm and width of 1812mm make it the most spacious pickup in its class.
The Grand Tiger TUV has a sporty dashboard, integrated console and auto air conditioner. Self-luminous instruments make the interiors comfortable for a long journey. The pickup image is further reinforced with 16'' alloy wheels, side steps, chrome outside mirrors and over fenders.
The Grand Tiger TUV has many standard safety features, which are available only in high end pickups such as ABS, EBD, dual airbags, parking sensors and steel roll cage. The tread of the tyres is best in the class providing extra grip and comfort on the road. The cargo bed protector is standard in TUV pickups, which gives longevity.
Gulf Great Sands is setting up a state-of-art service centre in Ghala, Muscat, with an area of more than 2,000sq m to provide after-sales services to BAIC customers.
GGS has already tied up for periodic maintenance services in many cities including Salalah, Sohar, Sur, Nizwa, Ibra and Barka etc.
BAIC offers five years or 100,000km manufacturer warranty on all passenger vehicles and three years/100,000km manufacturer warranty on commercial vehicles in Oman.
For more information and to book test drives, call BAIC Oman on the toll free number 80050800 or visit the showroom in Wattayah.