Can you tell us more about yourself and how you came to be a part of the automotive industry?My father ran a small trading company in Japan until mid of 2000’s. He traveled a lot for business when I was a child, and seeing that, I naturally hoped to work for a global company that would give me the opportunity to travel. As a child, my main hobby was building plastic models, mainly 1/24 scale car models. Later on, I began repairing my own actual car. My father was also a car enthusiast. All of these had a tremendous influence on me, for better or for worse. As of 2020, I would have completed a quarter century working at NGK Spark Plug.How important is the Middle East market for NGK Spark Plugs?The Middle East market has a very diverse range of vehicles, ranging from hybrid cars sporting very modern technology to old vintage models. NGK Spark Plugs has a history going back many years and is known for its expertise as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). We are able to provide a range of high-quality products for engine manufacturers which meet their most stringent parameters and are able to attain the highest levels of customer satisfaction.While NGK is known primarily for its spark plug in the region, what are the products that you are going to launch on a regional basis in the coming years?We plan to launch NGK branded ignition coils in the Middle East region in 2020 as part of our response to the demand from many NGK Spark Plug users for a “Total NGK Spark Plug Ignition System”. The NGK branded ignition coil has received good feedback from the European market where it has already been launched. This market is known for its extreme temperatures. Do you adapt and test your products specifically for this market?NGK Spark Plugs has demonstrated performance that is capable of adaptation to extreme conditions all over the world. Engine manufactures conduct very tough evaluation tests before opting for our products and hence we are proud of the fact that the NGK Spark Plugs has the highest market share as an Original Equipment Manufacturer.Can you tell us more about your distribution network and the availability of your products in the UAE?NGK Spark Plugs are distributed through our authorized distributors in UAE. Based on the market trends, we import products mainly from Japan.Your company has a global presence. With the advent of self-driving and growing emphasis on technology, the role of sensors has become more important. Can you tell us more about your range of sensors?We specialize in sensors for detection of gases and for the control of internal combustion engines. Even self-driving vehicles have internal combustion engines (including hybrid systems) and our sensors are required for such vehicles.With Expo 2020 coming in the next year, what impact do you think it will have on the automotive industry in this market?During the 2020 Expo, it is expected that more than 25 million visitors from more than 180 countries will visit Dubai. In relation to the growth of the tourism industry, the demand for transportation vehicles like taxis and buses will increase, and it is expected that there will be a corresponding increase in the demand for spare parts. We expect the sales of NGK spark plugs to increase accordingly. tiresandparts.net8
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