Tokyo, Japan - Nissan Motor Company and Al Dahana FZCO have announced their joint venture company, Nissan Gulf FZCO (NGF), to enhance Nissan’s marketing and sales strategy and introduce a fully-fledged financial services platform in the Middle East and North African countries.

NGF will be responsible for Nissan’s marketing and sales, dealer development and front line management in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Bahrain, with the aim of selling 160,000 vehicles per year by 2012. These four markets will represent more than 40 per cent of Nissan sales in the region by 2012. NGF will substitute in these markets from Nissan Middle East FZE.

The financial services platform will be introduced through an NGF partnership with GAPCorp, a global third-party administrator, and will include products such as extended warranty, roadside assistance, guaranteed auto protection insurance and motor insurance, which will be fully synergized with local market requirements.

“The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing auto markets and is a strategic area of focus for the future of Nissan,” said Colin Dodge, senior vice-president of Nissan Motor Company. “Al Dahana is a strategic partner that will offer sales, marketing and dealer development expertise to sustain our success in key markets of the region.”