CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles
Family Business & Autonomous Vehicle Expert
With over 40 years of experience spanning across three continents, Irfan Tansel is recognized as one of the ‘Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East’ by Forbes (in 4 consecutive years), one of the ‘100 inspiring leaders in the Middle East’ twice, as well as one of the ‘Greatest CEOs in 2024’ by Arabian Business magazine. Acknowledged as ‘Visionary of the Year’ by Entrepreneur Middle East magazine, and ‘CEO of the Year’ by CEO Magazine, Irfan is driven to disrupt the automotive industry and to create a legacy.
In his role as CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles (AMA), Irfan has steered the company to numerous milestones and accolades. Under his leadership, the company not only clinched the esteemed Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award 2023 - which is based on the internationally recognized European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) framework, but also continued its tradition of excellence with multiple editions of the coveted Nissan Global Dealer Award in 2013 and 2019, the Global Nissan Aftersales Award in three consecutive years - 2020, 2021, and 2022.
INFINITI presented Al Masaood Automobiles with the ‘Outstanding Performance Award’ in 2020 for strengthening the market share in Abu Dhabi, and later in 2021 awarded the company with the ‘INFINITI Global President Award’ for exemplary execution of Project Falcon - Al Masaood Automobiles’ first mid-term strategy. In 2023, the company was crowned with the inaugural ‘INFINITI Global Award’, for its contribution to the success and growth of the auto brand in Abu Dhabi. Al Masaood Automobiles outperformed other dealers within its segment, becoming the first dealership in the GCC region to be awarded this accolade.
Renault as well awarded Al Masaood Automobiles with the prestigious ‘Global Partners Award (P.A.R.I.S. Challenge)’ in 2020, being the highest accolade for car dealerships granted for exceptional performance in customer satisfaction, Sales and Aftersales. In 2024, Renault also honoured Al Masaood Automobiles with the Best Dealer Performance Award and the company received a special visit from Renault’s global CEO for this appreciation.
The years 2023 and 2024 marked a significant triumph in Irfan's tenure, as they became record-breaking years for Al Masaood Automobiles across multiple facets, including unprecedented achievements in sales and aftersales, surpassing all previous records.
Al Masaood Automobiles gained global recognition for re-strategizing; creating an omnichannel experience to prepare for Industry 4.0 in 2019 and 2020. Under his guidance, Al Masaood Automobiles made history in 2019 by launching the region’s first Nissan e-commerce car-buying website, along with a virtual, live, and interactive sales platform, one of many firsts launched. In 2024, the company made a global debut at the 5th Annual Customer Centricity World Series, and secured two distinguished regional awards: the Customer-Centric Culture Award, recognizing organizations that place customers at their core, and the Customer Insight & Feedback (VOC) Award.
Irfan's vision for Al Masaood Automobiles is grounded in forward-thinking, innovation-driven, and customer-centric principles, which he uses to craft tailored strategies designed to keep the company at the forefront of a competitive market, prepared for any challenges that may arise. His leadership style is deeply rooted in a belief in the power of effective, inclusive management with transparency and trust leading to empowerment, recognizing that the true driving force behind AMA’s success is its dedicated team.
As a revered voice in the automotive world, his insights on business disruption, leadership, and the future of the automotive industry are frequently featured in notable publications like Forbes ME, Sky News Arabiya, Arabian Business, Bloomberg, CNBC, CEO ME, The National, Economy ME, and many others. He also shares his expertise internationally, delivering motivational keynotes on topics ranging from preparing businesses for disruption to leadership, autonomous vehicles, the future of mobility, electrification, and future dealerships.
This year, 2024, marks his 42nd year in the automotive industry. Irfan’s passion for automobiles began at the age of 15 when he apprenticed as an auto mechanic in a car workshop, igniting his passion for the business, product, and people. Now an entrepreneurial and visionary leader, Irfan is committed to mentoring and developing his leadership team, nurturing them to become the next superstars in the industry.
Irfan continues to be credited for his unique approach to innovation, employee engagement, and more recently, succeeding in a challenging market.
FORBES: ‘TOP 100 CEO in the Middle east’
Irfan Tansel was named one of the ‘Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East’ by Forbes Middle East. Irfan has over 40 years of experience spanning three continents. Al Masaood Automobiles is the main distributor for Nissan, Infiniti and Renault in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Western Region. In 2020 it achieved growth in total units sold of 18% in a market that is dropping at a rate of 20%. In 2019 under Tansel’s leadership, Al Masaood won the Best Global Dealer by Nissan. In December 2010, the group established the Al Masaood Automobiles Nissan Service Centre, which is one of Nissan’s largest service centers in the world. Al Masaood Automobiles is the first Nissan Dealership in the region to launch an e-commerce car-buying website with Nissan.
READ MORE ➟
CEO Middle East: ‘Automotive CEO of the Year’
Over the past 12 months, Al Masaood Automobiles has won numerous accolades from global car brands for its stellar performance, which have included recognition from Renault as the 'best sales performance' and from Nissan for its exemplary customer service and customer experience, both signs of the company's consistency in exceeding customer expectations and focus on delivering quality services. Our AUTOMOTIVE CEO OF THE YEAR is a very worthy Irfan Tansel.
READ MORE ➟
Agile & Prepared: Irfan Tansel
CEO Irfan Tansel does not let a crisis go to waste. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the UAE right as Al Masaood Automobiles (AMA) was racing to the finishing line of its best sales year to date, selling more cars in 2019 than ever before.
The company, which serves as the sole distributor for Nissan, Infiniti and Renault in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the UAE’s Western region, even won major international awards for its performance that year: the Renault Global Partners Award – P.A.R.I.S. Challenge and the Nissan Global Dealer Award.
READ MORE IN THE CEO MAGAZINE
“Technology that’s driving cars and the road ahead for the automobile industry.”
Buying a new car? Ten years ago you would have gone to a showroom and perhaps been sold to by a stereotypical salesman or women, and potentially left feeling like you had been “sold to”.
Buyers are now empowered with the internet, and because of this, the car buying transaction doesn’t just occur in the showroom anymore. But if you think car dealership are dead, think again.
READ MORE
HAVE A MEDIA OR KEYNOTE INQUIRY?
Latest Press
Innovation is the future. To stay ahead in the race – regardless of your industry, embracing innovation and diversification is key.
Good leaders don't set out to be leaders... they aim to make a difference.
Being named one of Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 CEOs again is a reminder on how rewarding uplifting leadership can be.
I am very humbled to be recognized in Arabian Business’ ‘Greatest CEOs' list among business leaders from so many industries and walks of life, each with an inspiring journey of their own.
The automotive industry – much like several others – is going through a period of unprecedented evolution. Driven by technological disruption and changing consumer behaviour, this creates an undeniable need for innovation, expanding portfolios, and personalization.
So, how does an automotive business in today’s industry maintain its competitive edge?
In my recent article on Forbes Middle East, I highlight various aspects in the future of the automotive industry.
I also shed light on Al Masaood Automobiles' preparations for another year of success and impact shaped by a robust strategy with customer centricity, sustainability, and innovation at its core.
Earlier this year, Al Masaood Automobiles was named a winner of the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award SKEA, the highest accolade in the country for companies following the global coveted EFQM model.
A company can have a well-rounded strategy, but what is harder than setting strategy is the fortitude to execute it with excellence.
I was honoured to share my insights for business success with Arabian Business. Throughout my experience in the automotive industry, I have witnessed the power of effective leadership, operational excellence, and a customer-centric approach. I truly believe that there are six key principles that drive business growth and position brands as leaders within their own sectors.
The future of fleet management will be driven by the industry’s efforts today. From electrified mobility, and autonomous vehicles to computerized drive assistance systems, it is imperative that we are flexible to transform now in order to help companies navigate the shifting landscapes of safety, efficiency, and opportunity tomorrow.
Last-mile delivery-the last leg of a shipment's journey to its final destination has become an increasingly important part of business operations across many industries, globally and in the UAE. In this digital era. delivery solutions form a crucial part of everyday life, with significant e-commerce players now heavily relying on these solutions for growth.
A true automotive aficionado with more than 40 years of experience across three continents, Irfan Tansel, CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles, is the recipient of some of the highest regional and international accolades for his inspirational leadership as CEO and visionary.