In bright sunshine under a clear blue sky, Naeem Hassim, the Daimler Head, Regional Centre Africa and Thomas Fricke the Managing Director Daimler Buses, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles presented a plaque to Zarak Khan, the DT Dobie Executive Chairman and Ian Middleton the Managing Director to commemorate DT Dobie’s 70th anniversary.
The presentation was held against the backdrop of the latest Mercedes Actros prime mover and an assortment of passenger cars, vans and buses and was attended by the management and staff of the Company.
When the photo shoot ended the participants moved from the heat of the afternoon to the comfortably cool Mercedes Benz showroom for the next phase of the function. This commenced with cutting a ceremonial cake followed by brief speeches from Naeem Hassim and Zarak Khan.
Naeem dwelt on the achievement of a strong business partnership lasting stretching back to 1949 and said, “We are proud to celebrate this milestone in the many years of working together with DT Dobie. This proves the high level of customer service which is the hallmark of the management and staff of the Company.”
“Mercedes Benz vehicles in operation in Kenya range from the C180 saloon to the giant Actros prime mover all of which are trusted by their proud owners. They value the important role of our products in their day to day operations and depend with confidence on the proven reliability of Mercedes Benz.”
“This is enhanced by the high level of servicing and repairs by factory trained technicians in the DT Dobie workshops in Nairobi and branches spread through Kenya. Customers benefit from the work of our team who arrange an appropriate range of vehicles and also facilitate top level servicing and the provision of spares by DT Dobie.”
In a speech full of emotion and pride Zarak Khan, the Executive Chairman of DT Dobie, said, “When I joined DT Dobie in 1981 as a management trainee, I never dreamed that one day I would welcome Naeem Hassim, the Daimler Head, Regional Centre Africa to this wonderful occasion to mark the 70th anniversary of our Company. This is a proud moment for me and my colleagues.”
“It is the time for me to look back over the years to 1949 when the story starts with a visit by our founder the late Colonel David Dobie to Germany with a mission to seek his appointment as the representative of a prominent manufacturer. He was fortunate to be given an introduction to Daimler .To his great delight his time in Germany ended with the Mercedes-Benz franchise agreement for cars and trucks in his coat pocket.”
“From the inception of the Company, David Dobie had the objective of achieving the status of the most respected motor trade organization in Kenya. To a large extent, this was based on a high level of customer relations linked with an efficient workshop. He laid stress on quality repairs with a comprehensive stock of genuine spare parts.”
Concluding his remarks, Zarak Khan said, “The challenges faced by the motor trade in Kenya are never ending and continuous improvement is essential for all aspects of business including employee benefits and upgrading equipment and facilities. We are fortunate to be representing Mercedes Benz, the leading German manufacturer of luxury cars and premium trucks. We envisage a continuing long and happy relationship with Daimler.”
