Fiat Chrysler Automotive is a leading global auto brand with a large product portfolio and operations in more than 40 countries. Its head office is in London, United Kingdom. However, the sales and distribution network of the company is spread across more than 135 countries. It sells its products directly as well as through local distributors and dealers.
Fiat Chrysler Automotive parent company of Abarth and recently it recognized the Abarth Club Dubai. It is the Middle East’s first official Abarth enthusiast organization. Initially, the passionate group was gathering regularly to celebrate their Italian sports cars but now after the club attained its official status, can be found on Abarth’s Global club locator for the whole world to see.
It was in 1949 that Carlo Abarth, after a career in racing motorcycles and cars founded Abarth & C with Gido Scagliarini. The very first vehicle which was produced by them was the 204 A, based on Fiat 1100. It immediately won the 1100 sports championship as well as Formula 1. The company also produced tuning kits that also improved performance, power and speed of standard cars. Over the next few years, the cars achieved a lot of success in every competition and the Abarth brand became synonymous with sport, tuning, and performance.
Abarth’s union with Fiat came in 1971, with Fiat’s acquisition of Abarth & C S.p.A. Under Fiat ownership, Abarth became the Fiat Group’s racing department and went on to produce some of history’s most legendary racing machines, including the Fiat 124 Abarth Rally and 131 Abarth, and the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Group 5 racing car and the Lancia Rally 037 Group B rally car.
The Abarth club was originally founded by a small group of UAE- based enthusiasts, however, today the club has almost 50 dedicated ‘Abarthisti’ under the leadership of Abarth Club Dubai President Tamer Nabil. Mr. Nabil founded the organization with like-minded Abarth owners at the end of 2019. The club joined the Scorpionship community which was founded in 2016 and has grown into a big network of 110,000 members worldwide.
The new club in Dubai has secured its new status by closely with National Auto, the exclusive distributor of Fiat and Abarth vehicles in Dubai and the northern emirates. The general manager of National Auto, Steve Molyneux said: “It gives us immense pleasure to reward the passion and dedication of our “Abarthisti” with an officially-recognized Abarth Club in the UAE to call their own. The Abarth community in the UAE is a very close-knit one, and we maintain a strong relationship with our Abarth owners. Through this newfound status, we will be able to strengthen the Abarth community and offer them more exclusive benefits than ever before.”
The head of Italian brands, Jo Moursi at FCA Middle East, also added: “Style, performance, and a motorsports heritage stretching back over 70 years – these are all qualities that combine to create the unique thrill of driving an Abarth sports car. This thrill is what inspires the passion and enthusiasm shown by the Abarth Club Dubai, as it rightly takes its place amongst the global Scorpionship community. We are thrilled to have an official group of dedicated Abarthisti coming together to share their love for this very special brand. Having a base in the UAE means a club with a rich multicultural and diverse background, reflecting the incredible range of cultures and nationalities that makes the Club even more vibrant.”
The club enjoys its stature and privileges which were once only available to Scorpionship Community. These amazing advantages include track days, club events, and even visits to the home of Abarth in Turin, Italy. As Abarth tries to manufacture its heritage in the Middle East, working with committed and enthusiastic brand ministers like the Abarth Club Dubai will be priceless in getting the message out about the fervor and execution that Abarth sports vehicles bring to the table.
