| General Motors has recently announced their | | | | able to play a part in their growth," said |
| newly appointed regional premium brands | | | | Hmeid. |
| director. Mohammed Hmeid was chosen as the | | | | |
| new premium brands editor and expected to | | | | Hmeid has replaced Chase Hawkins who was the |
| bring some fresh ideas and perspective in | | | | regional division marketing director for |
| marketing the different brands of the | | | | Premium Brands from 2005 to 2006 and |
| automaker. | | | | transferred recently to South Africa to |
| | | | occupy the same position of sales director at |
| Hmeid joins General Motors in early 2006 and | | | | GM South Africa. |
| previously held a position as product and | | | | |
| portfolio planning manager & new business | | | | In other GM news: General Motors has accepted |
| development. While at the position he acted | | | | the Dodge Viper challenge. According to |
| as the key representative for the Middle East | | | | Chairman Bob Lutz, the new 600 horsepower |
| and was in charge of product planning, | | | | 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 won't be keeping its |
| business and organization as well as managing | | | | title as the king-of-the-road for long once |
| different types of product portfolio which | | | | GM releases its Corvette Blue Devil which is |
| includes leading and managing the Armoured | | | | said to be the automaker's next generation |
| Vehicle project sales, aftersales and | | | | super sports car. |
| marketing through effective implementation. | | | | |
| | | | "As you all know, it is not our policy to |
| Hmeid in his new role as regional premium | | | | discuss future product programs. |
| brands director, he will be responsible for | | | | However…," he said to humor the |
| various marketing activities, aftersales and | | | | audience, "it is very important for Corvette |
| dealer support of various GM brands like | | | | to be the most powerful, most capable, best |
| Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER. For this year his | | | | handling sports car in the United States." |
| main focus is to effectively re-launch the | | | | And of course in order to make the Corvette |
| Saab brand in the region. He will also make | | | | Blue Devil to become the super sports car it |
| sure that customers will be able to get the | | | | needs quality auto parts, the best that |
| ultimate ownership experience out from owning | | | | General Motors can produce. Come to think of |
| Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER. He is also to | | | | it, GM has always been a leader when it comes |
| focus on expanding the business by taking | | | | to production of top-of-the-line car parts |
| every available opportunity there is for | | | | and an example of which is its line of GM |
| growth. | | | | fender flares which are popular for their |
| | | | quality and durability. |
| Terry Johnson, Managing Director of GM in the | | | | |
| Middle East has expressed her gladness in the | | | | Lutz has also acknowledged that the top-level |
| appointment of Hmeid. She said, "I am very | | | | horsepower of GM's Corvette was surpassed by |
| pleased to welcome Mohammed to this new | | | | a recent competitor but quickly added "the |
| position. His rich background will help grow | | | | Corvette vehicle line executive will not take |
| the Premium Brands business. He is results | | | | that lying down." |
| driven and has great diverse business | | | | |
| knowledge with propensity to explore new | | | | According to Bob Gitzinger, Senior Editor for |
| opportunities and translate them into unique | | | | news at AutoWeek magazine, Chevrolet is |
| concepts and consumer offerings." | | | | developing a Corvette that is known in |
| | | | several names: the Blue Devil, Stingray, |
| Before joining General Motors Hmeid was the | | | | Devil Ray or SS. "We all know the new |
| brand manager at British American Tobacco and | | | | Corvette is out there. The car is in |
| has also held the same position in BMW Group | | | | development and it's been speculated that it |
| Middle East. "It is a great time to be | | | | will have about 650 horsepower…It's |
| working on these exciting brands and to be | | | | supposed to be here in 2009. |