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FRANK-STEFFEN WALLISER TO BECOME NEW CEO AT BENTLEY

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  • Frank-Steffen Walliser is moving from Porsche to Bentley to take on the post of Chairman and CEO on July 1.
  • “In Frank-Steffen Walliser, Bentley is getting an experienced engineer with distinct product and technology expertise and entrepreneurial experience who brought brand-defining models to the streets at Porsche, including the Porsche 918 Spyder. On Bentley’s ongoing path toward becoming the leading provider in the luxury segment, Frank-Steffen Walliser’s many years of experience and knowledge of the luxury segment will be invaluable,” said Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, who’s responsible for the Brand Group Progressive comprising Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Ducati within the Volkswagen Group.
  • “I am approaching this job with great respect and looking forward to having a team in Crewe that has shown impressive performance over the last few years. The continuing transformation of the automotive industry will be a major task for Bentley as well, a task that I am happy to take on with the team. I am convinced Bentley will continue to set standards in the luxury segment in the future” Frank-Steffen Walliser said.
  • After studying mechanical engineering with a focus on combustion engines and technology management, Frank-Steffen Walliser joined Porsche in 1995 and has remained loyal to the brand ever since.
  • In 2010, the native of Stuttgart became the overall project leader responsible for the development of the future-oriented 918 Spyder super sports car. Starting in 2014, he made a name for himself as Head of Motorsport before taking over management of the 911 and 718 product lines at the beginning of 2019. Since 2022, he has been in charge of overall vehicle development (vehicle architecture and characteristics) at Porsche.

Automotive

Meet DALIA, the Ai Chatbot behind Al Ghandi Auto’s Bid to transform the customer experience in the region

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Al Ghandi Auto proudly introduces DALIA, an innovative AI chatbot powered by Seezar on its websites. This cutting-edge technology, developed by Seez utilizing OpenAI’s GPT, marks a significant milestone as Al Ghandi Auto pioneers the integration of advanced AI capabilities to transform its customer service operations.

With its advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities and machine learning algorithms, DALIA was designed with user-centricity at its core, offers 24/7 support, providing customers with instant access to product features, specifications, competitor comparisons, after-sales information, and dealership locations. With its advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) capabilities and machine learning algorithms, (can be removed as it repeats the first line of this para) DALIA is a chatbot that will deliver a conversational and intuitive user experience, improving the car buying process, service follow ups and overall contribute to customer satisfaction.

“Al Ghandi Auto strives to be at the forefront of innovation in the automotive industry,” said Marc Jenkins, CEO at Al Ghandi Auto. “The introduction of DALIA underscores our commitment to innovation while providing our customers with the best possible service and support experience. We are excited to lead the way in enhancing the online experience and demonstrate our dedication to continuous improvement and customer care.”

DALIA’s seamless integration with Al Ghandi Auto’s backend systems ensures real-time accuracy and responsiveness. It is built to scale, able to handle a high volume of inquiries without compromising performance. Dalia will be available to customers through multiple platforms, and will provide customers with a consistent experience across all devices, Doing so while it maintains the highest levels of security and data privacy protocols.

Looking ahead, Al Ghandi Auto plans to further leverage AI & Generative Ai technology to enhance customer engagement and support, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of its clientele.

Al Ghandi Auto invites everyone to visit their websites and chat with Dalia firsthand. Discover the ease and convenience of obtaining essential information and support through this state-of-the-art technology.

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Automotive

Front End spearheads the historic air taxi trial in Mecca

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Front End is proud to announce that the company enabled a successful demonstration of the first unmanned air taxi trial in Mecca, supported by its partner, EHang.

Front End’s commitment to bringing the latest technology to the Kingdom along with EHang’s guidance in the adoption of urban air mobility, together with the leadership of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Hajj, the Ministry of Interior, marked a pivotal step towards a faster, more efficient, and sustainable Hajj. This collaboration unlocked a truly innovative solution, showcasing the remarkable potential of government-private partnerships to drive advancements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA said: “The trial marks a major advancement in integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions into Saudi Arabia’s aviation landscape. We are committed to the highest safety standards and seamless integration into existing air traffic systems. This trial acts as a proof of concept for multiple use cases and contributes to various AAM roadmap initiatives. We appreciate the instrumental support of Front End and EHang to mark this historic milestone for Saudi Arabia.

The annual Hajj pilgrimage, a monumental gathering of diverse nationalities, presents unique logistical challenges. This innovative demonstration aims to streamline transportation during this sacred event, by efficiently moving pilgrims faster between key locations, ensuring a smoother and safer Hajj experience.

Commenting on the demonstration, Mr. Majid Alghaslan, Chairman and CEO of Front End Limited Company, said: “Front End is at the forefront of this trailblazing trial, paving the way to a new era in smart mobility solutions, potentially revolutionizing Hajj transportation. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, our purpose is to foster a ‘Connected Kingdom,’ serving as a gateway for our partners to access growth opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. This achievement stands as a testament to the power of government-private partnerships in accelerating new technology adoption. Partnering with EHang made this pioneering solution a reality.

Conducted in a low-risk area within protected airspace, the trial will help assist authorities in setting the right regulatory environment for the deployment of eVTOL aircraft which will redefine the Hajj experience by enhancing mobility, reducing congestion, and promoting sustainability.

These eco-friendly marvels offer a cost-effective solution for urban transportation, tackling congestion while aligning perfectly with the Kingdom’s goals for a sustainable future. This advancement underscores Front End’s dedication to national progress and its commitment to shaping a greener, more efficient tomorrow in mobility”, Majid added.

Mr. Huazhi Hu, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of EHang, stated, “This debut flight of the EH216-S pilotless eVTOL in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in EHang’s ongoing internationalization and an important step forward in propelling global advanced UAM reform, showcasing the potential of our pilotless eVTOL products and solutions for widespread adoption in the Middle Eastern market. Looking ahead, with the strong support of GACA and in partnership with Front End, we will work together to establish a benchmark for regular AAM operations in Saudi Arabia, driving progress in both regional and global AAM markets.”

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Automotive

General Motors Africa and Middle East appoints Furrukh Jawaid as new Chief Marketing Officer

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General Motors Middle East continues its path to transform mobility in the region, while also providing world class cars, trucks and SUVs. Effective July 1st, 2024, Furrukh Jawaid will join GM to lead its Marketing effort across its vehicle brands Chevrolet & GMC, consolidating GM’s growth plans and spearheading the next phase in GM’s quest to transform the customer experience in the region through his track record focused on innovation.  

Most recently Head of Performance Marketing & Data Enablement at General Motors Canada, Furrukh will oversee the teams across brand marketing, product marketing, CRM, and retail marketing, digital marketing, as well as retail and customer experiences for Chevrolet and GMC across the region.  He takes on the role from Suzie Guzzo who was earlier appointed in 2022 and has now been promoted and relocated to the US.

“We are excited to welcome Furrukh to our Middle East team to drive forward our mission of transforming the customer experience. His track record across markets speaks for itself, his innovative approach has unlocked many opportunities everywhere he’s been involved, and we are confident that his contributions to our leadership position in premium trucks and SUVs across the GMC and Chevrolet brands will come to bear.” said Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director, General Motors Africa and Middle East.

Furrukh first joined General Motors in 2008 as a coop student, he’s since taken on significant cross-functional responsibilities through Finance, Customer Care and Aftersales (CCA), Vehicle Sales and Marketing. He holds extensive expertise in digital and performance marketing, with an eye for innovation, having championed several initiatives to facilitate smoother processes within the organization.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining General Motors Africa & Middle East at such a pivotal time. The Middle East is a dynamic and fast-growing market, and I’m eager to collaborate with our talented team here and our dealer partners to continue to build upon GM’s strong foundation in the region and achieve even greater success for our Chevrolet and GMC brands,” added Furrukh Jawaid, Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors Africa and Middle East.

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