US car giant plans expansion in Oman

US car giant General Motors is planning to upgrade its services in Oman this year through its dealership partners.

Partners Moosa and OTE Group have announced plans to build seven new customer sales and service facilities in the sultanate.

OTE Group, General Motor's dedicated Chevrolet and Cadillac dealer in Oman, will operate the seven new builds which will be located in Al Wattayah, Seeb, Jalan Bu Ali, Bidaya, Ibra, Barka and Nizwa.

The new facilities will replace old sales and service centres, a statement said.

In addition to the new builds, Moosa and OTE Group will also renovate and upgrade four existing sites in the country during 2013, the statement added.

"General Motors' dealer partners are investing heavily in adding new facilities in Oman," said John Stadwick, president and managing director of General Motors Middle East.

"Investment in both new facilities and the upgrading of existing sites is extremely important, as we prepare to launch more new vehicle launches in the Middle East over the next 18 months than any time in our history."

The expansion and renovation plan continues from last year when Moosa, GM's dedicated GMC dealer, and OTE Group, upgraded 10 sales facilities in Oman.

Moosa also opened a new showroom in Sur in 2012. Both dealers have a total of 22 sales and service customer facilities in Oman.

General Motors' dealers in Oman reported total sales of 3,501 vehicles in 2012, up 28 percent from the previous year. 2012 was also General Motors' second best sales year ever.

Chevrolet and GMC recorded their second best sales year ever in 2012 as sales for both rose 29 percent and 21 percent respectively year-on-year. Sales of Cadillac, General Motors' luxury brand, nearly tripled.