In the world of automotive aftermarket and OEM in the Middle East, few names carry the weight and recognition of Mohammed Aqel. For those who have been part of the region’s automotive industry for any significant time, the name immediately rings a bell, even amongst those who haven’t met him personally.
Building brands from scratch is heroic work; it’s not for the faint of heart. Mohammed Aqel’s forte is just that: building brands from the ground up with strategic success following suit. He’s not just a business leader, he’s a visionary who has consistently delivered results while nurturing teams, fostering innovation, and navigating market complexities with a deep understanding of the Middle East.
The lead up to a victorious drive.
While the presence of Aqel across dealerships and boardrooms is the norm for many, his genesis is far from that. As a fully qualified civil engineer, he holds both a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Civil Engineering from the United States, and began his professional career in 1983 as a civil engineer. Like much of the 1980s, change was the norm, and by 1989, he pivoted into sales, later discovering his true passion in the automotive sector.
“The purpose, excitement, and dynamism of the automotive industry were contagious.”
The transition was one of intuition. What followed was a distinguished career marked by milestone achievements, strategic expansion, and team building across multiple business verticals. As Aqel sees it, building world-class teams and scaling brands was too good an opportunity to pass up, especially in an industry that is one of the largest employers in the Middle East.
At the driver’s seat.
Moving past the years and through the changes in the automotive world, Mohammed Aqel serves as the General Manager of Barari Group in the UAE, where he oversees the distribution of Vredestein Tyres and the operation of AutoX3 Service Centers across the Emirates.
Top-level management is no stranger to him, however, as he previously held a pivotal role as General Manager at Central Trading Company (CTC), part of the renowned Al Rostamani Group. There, Aqel led the distribution of globally famous brands such as Michelin Tyres, Castrol Lubricants, ACDelco Batteries, and many others.
Several notable accomplishments marked his tenure at CTC include:
- Expanding the Castrol lubricants retail network in the UAE from just 25 to over 150 outlets, a significant feat in channel development and market reach.
- Introducing the TyrePlus franchise to the UAE market.
- Bringing in top-tier economy tyre brands like Federal Tyres (Taiwan), Radar Tyres (Singapore), and Michelin’s budget lines, alongside a broad portfolio of emerging Chinese brands.
- Establishing a Michelin joint venture retreading plant in Oman.
Braving the odds, the right way.
High-stress situations often reveal the true nature of many leaders’ personality traits, not Aqel’s, however. While his commercial successes are well-documented, those who have worked with Aqel often speak more passionately about his leadership style and human approach.
During the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, he made it a priority to meet financial objectives without compromising employee well-being, a decision that earned him deep respect among peers and employees alike. His tenure as Regional Sales & Marketing Manager at 3M Middle East also showcased his regional experience and ethical leadership across multiple countries.
Driving the future forward.
A 3 decade career in automotive doesn’t just come to an end. Mohammed Aqel continues to give back to the industry as a Member of the Industry Advisory Board of Automechanika Dubai, the region’s most influential platform for the automotive aftermarket. His presence on the board is seen as invaluable.
Automotivate Middle East and Africa, the regional platform for industry professionals, describes Aqel as “an asset whose depth of experience, strategic thinking, and leadership simply cannot be valued in monetary terms.”
Mohammed Aqel’s story demonstrates that what defines you today is not your life story. What was once the theories behind civil engineering is now a defining figure in the Middle East’s automotive landscape. As the region continues to evolve, leaders of yesteryear, such as Mohammed Aqel, are paving the way forward and building smarter foundations for the next generation of automotive leaders.
