Mannai Trading receives coveted General Motors Chairman’s Challenge Award
Exceptional Results Delivered by Qatari General Motors Dealer in 2004.

Doha, Qatar – 22 March 2005 – Mannai Trading, the Cadillac, Opel, GMC and Hummer dealer in Qatar has won the prestigious General Motors 2004 Chairman’s Challenge Award, after achieving a total annual sales increase of an impressive 64 percent over 2003.

Rick Wagoner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Corporation presented Khalid Mannai, Chairman of Mannai Trading, with the award earlier this month at a gala dinner in Monaco attended by senior executives of the company.

“We are delighted to have received this award and we wish to extend thanks to all our valued customers for their confidence and support,” said Mr Mannai. “An unparalleled line-up of products in addition to a great partnership with General Motors will allow us to continue our commitment to deliver an exceptional total ownership experience in the future.”

The Chairman’s Challenge Award recognizes the performance of the company’s regional dealers in the areas of sales, customer enthusiasm and other operational measures against pre-set targets, the dealers are challenged to excel at delighting their customers and surpass their targets. Mannai Trading overshot its annual sales target by 64 percent in 2004.

“Well done to the whole team at Mannai Trading, who have worked tirelessly to make this a bright year for all of us. Their contribution has been invaluable in helping General Motors achieve an overall growth of more than 55% in 2004 in the region,” said Terry Johnsson, Managing Director of General Motors, Middle East.

“Having an unbeatable range of products is not enough in such a challenging and demanding market, it is the combined teamwork, effort, dedication and investment of our retail partners that allows us to shine, and last year’s results are a living testament to that fact,” said Wagoner.

Photo caption: Rick Wagoner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors (centre left) presents Khalid Mannai, Chairman of Mannai Trading and Mohamed Helmy, Automotive Group Manager, with the 2004 Chairman’s Challenge award in Monaco in the presence of senior GM executives from the US and the Middle East.

CONTACT(S):
Saada Hammad
Communications and Public Relations Manager
General Motors Middle East
Tel (+9714) 3143350
e-mail saada.hammad@gm.com


About GM
General Motors, the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, was founded in 1908 and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today employs about 324,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent, and the second-highest total in the company’s history. GM’s global headquarters is in Detroit.

GM has been operating in the Middle East since the early 1940s. GM’s vehicle brands sold in the region are Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, HUMMER, Opel and Saab supported by a unique set of customer-focused services. GM parts and accessories are sold under the GM Parts and ACDelco brands. The regional office in Dubai covers the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

In 2004, GM sold more than 88,000 vehicles in the Middle East, representing a 55 percent increase over figures recorded in 2003, and the company continues to introduce pioneering programs in the region. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company’s consumer websites www.gm.com and www.gmarabia.com