Good morning ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today as we present you the latest model of the World's Best Selling SUV, the Ford Explorer.
We are delighted to mark the arrival of the 2006 Ford Explorer, an exceptional vehicle, which I can confidently say, is the best Explorer ever.
Fifteen years down the line and the Explorer is still true to its values, delivering more of what matters the most in terms of safety, versatility, comfort and space for 7 adults. Today, it is the first and only SUV to have sold more than 5.5 million units worldwide, and 5.5 million customers cannot be wrong!
As you will see shortly, the 2006 Explorer is built to deliver more of what every family needs – quality, class-exclusive safety features, more comfort, the best-in-class interior quietness levels, as well as the best-in-class driving dynamics and versatility.
Explorer keeps setting the benchmark with class leading safety features. Cutting edge technologies such as the Intelligent Safety System and Advance Trac® with Roll Stability Control® are standard on every 2006 Explorer!
The latest model also earned NHTSA’s highest crash test ratings, netting five stars in all driver and passenger test categories. It includes seven class-exclusive safety features as standard equipment.
Additionally, it was voted as "Best SUV for families" by the American Automobile Association and Parents magazine in the United States, and recommended as “Best Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Quality also is evident inside and out, from the bold new grille designs to the easy-effort liftgate, and from the new redesigned seats to the great interior finishes.
This year, for the first time we are bringing the Eddie Bauer version to the Middle East, which is the high end Explorer model, offering the best of both worlds - capability and luxury amenities.
Explorer has done just great year over year since we launched it in the Middle East, with a 25 per cent volume growth in 2005 alone. In Bahrain, Explorer sales have jumped nearly 85 per cent in the first quarter of this year and I think this a great achievement for the Almoayyed Motors team and I'd like to congratulate them for that (applause).
And we are certain this performance will go even better as our customers appreciate the unmatched value that the new model brings, as they experience its confident and controlled ride and handling.
Ford and Almoayyed Motors are committed to bringing world-class products and services, and the all-new 2006 Explorer is a perfect example of delivering on that promise.
Ford’s relationship with Almoayyed Motors goes back to two decades, and like the best of partnerships it is growing stronger every year thanks to their dedication to growing the Ford customer base in the Kingdom.
Almoayyed Motors has shown tremendous commitment to the Ford brand last year, achieving the best customer satisfaction levels among Ford's Export Operations. I'd like to commend the management and employees of Almoayyed Motors for their ongoing efforts to offer some of the highest standards of satisfaction to their customers across the Kingdom.
With their strong after-sales support, the great cost of ownership and value that our products offer and the innovative and new models we will introduce in the near future, Ford customers are in for a pleasant surprise. Thank you.
