After a few years’ absence, Bahrain This Month is bringing back one of its most beloved series: Backseat Chat! In this feature, Kristian Harrison interviews prominent figures in the Kingdom’s automotive scene from … you guessed it, the backseat of cars great and small! First up in our long-awaited relaunch is Tim Price, who was recently appointed as General Manager of Porsche Bahrain.
Can you give us an overview of your career journey and what drew you to the automotive industry?
I’ve been in the automotive industry for more than 25 years, holding various roles in sales and aftersales, including managing four franchises in the UK for Toyota and Lexus before coming to Bahrain to work for Porsche. I was inspired as a youngster by a friend’s father who owned a local car sales garage, which always interested me. In fact, he gave me my first opportunity in sales.
How are you finding life in Bahrain since moving here four months ago?
Leaving the UK was a big decision but I always wanted to try an opportunity abroad and especially with Porsche. Thankfully it has paid off because Bahrain has been fantastic, the Bahrainis have been so welcoming and it has made my wife and I feel at home so quickly. The food here has especially been a delightful surprise; I took some recommendations from my staff as I’m a huge foodie so trying all the various cuisines available out here blows most things from back home out of the water!
Could you tell us about Porsche’s upcoming developments?
We’re particularly excited about our upcoming electric vehicle lineup, including new models like the Taycan, E-Hybrid Panamera and the biggest of all, the E-Hybrid 911 which customers ask me about practically every day. Very recently, we also launched the EV Macan, which has a range of more than 500km and is perfect for the Bahrain market.
How does Porsche plan to address concerns about electric vehicle infrastructure in Bahrain?
Porsche is actively installing free chargers at various locations across the island, including hotels and shopping centres. Additionally, every Porsche purchase comes with a free home charger installation, making charging convenient for our customers. Furthermore, we have also opened the first Porsche studio in the region at Moda Mall, which was designed to make the brand more accessible with more free charging points available.
How does Porsche prioritise customer care and satisfaction even after initial purchase?
Customer experience is paramount for Porsche. We prioritise feedback, continually improving our services based on customer input and putting them at the heart of every decision we make. Our goal is to ensure a seamless experience, whether customers are visiting our showroom or seeking after-sales support.
What challenges do you foresee in leading Porsche Bahrain, and how do you plan to address them?
Educating customers about the benefits of electrification is a key challenge. Some misconceptions include concerns about range, maintenance costs and performance in hot climates. However, electric cars like the Taycan offer ample range of at least 400km and lower costs considering there’s no elements such as engine oil to keep on top of. We plan to bust these myths through ride-and-drive events and increasing our fleet of electric cars for customers to experience first-hand, including recently adding the Taycan into our service courtesy cars fleet.
How does Porsche Bahrain support and foster talent within its workforce?
This area is really important to Behbehani Brothers and Porsche as a brand. We actually have a training academy on site, with a training manager where we develop apprenticeships in sales, after-sales or as a technician. We train many Bahrainis as we as a company believe that investing in local talent is hugely important to the local community and economy.
How do you unwind outside of work?
I’m still finding my feet here, but I enjoy spending time with the Porsche Club members, exploring Bahrain’s culinary scene and indulging in reading and podcasts. Rugby is a passion of mine, although finding time to play competitively is currently a challenge!
Any final thoughts or messages for our audience?
I’m excited about the future of Porsche in Bahrain and encourage everyone to visit our showroom, experience our latest models, and discover the thrill of driving electric. Thank you for your support!
