In Bahrain’s competitive automobile market, the Bin Hindi Group has excelled with its customer-friendly approach and dedication to providing quality vehicles at affordable prices. Its flagship brand, Kia Motors, is leading the way in this regard largely thanks to the excellent stewardship of its Chief Automotive Officer (CAO), Gurdeep Multani. He sat down with Bahrain This Month to discuss his career and the reasons behind the South Korean marque’s appeal in the Kingdom.
Mr. Multani has built his successful career in the automotive industry by gaining extensive experience in various roles from an executive to a general manager overseeing multiple dealership operations. After 31 years, 26 of which have been spent in the GCC, he now finds himself managing and overseeing the overall operations of the company, developing and implementing strategic plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and fostering a positive work culture in his role as CAO.
One of the cornerstones of his tenure has been the complete revamp of the Kia Motors showroom in Sitra. “I am constantly looking at how to further enhance the customer purchase journey and retention in the long term which is quite critical for any dealership,” he explains. “Hence, we have started to make significant investments into our infrastructure and in line with Kia CI 2.0, this led to the showroom renovation being the first Pilot project in the Middle East and Africa region.
“One of my greatest challenges is constantly adapting to the ever-changing automotive landscape, particularly in terms of technology advancements and sustainability initiatives,” he adds.
2023 was a successful year for Kia Motors and the Bin Hindi Group. It experienced strong sales growth, expanded its market presence and introduced innovative and eco-friendly models. Amongst others, it successfully launched the new EV9, Seltos and Facelift Telluride models.
There was particularly strong demand for the Pegas, Sonet, Seltos, Sorento and Telluride due to their appealing design, advanced features and competitive pricing. Kia Motors were particularly pleased to discover significant interest from young professionals and families who prioritise reliability, value for money and the latest technology in their vehicles.
As for the coming year, Mr. Multani expects another fruitful one. “2024 is going to be a challenging and exciting year for us, but I am quite optimistic,” he believes. “We are aiming to increase our market share by putting the right strategies in place and outperforming the competition. We will do this with even more new models and new facilities including the Ma’ameer Premium Service and ABS centre, a facelift for our Certified Pre-Owned showroom in Khamis, a Sixt rental branch opening at Hilton Bahrain and improving our highly-regarded Bin Hindi Car Care service.”
As a seasoned veteran of the industry, Mr. Multani is well-placed to offer expert advice to young professionals keen to enter the profession. “My number one recommendation would be to pursue a relevant education in engineering or business,” he states.
“Additionally, gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level positions in the automotive sector can be highly beneficial. It is important to stay updated with the latest industry trends, network with professionals, and demonstrate passion and dedication towards the field. A passion for cars is standard; you need to want to learn and continue to learn to find success.
“Indeed, even now, my team and I never stop pushing. We are committed to continuous improvement, customer satisfaction and environmental sustainability. We will continue to innovate and introduce cutting-edge vehicles that cater to the evolving needs and preferences of our customers and I am extremely proud of my team for constantly demonstrating their commitment and going that extra mile,” he concludes.
