Borgward cars coming to UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait

Borgward Group AG, the formerly-defunct German auto manufacturer that was recently resurrected with the help of Chinese truck-maker Foton Motor, has appointed exclusive distributors across the GCC.

In Bahrain, it is Yousif Awadi Group. In Kuwait, it is Al-Zayani Trading Company. And in the UAE, it is Union Motors LLC.

Founded in 1919, Germany’s Borgward sold more than one million vehicles back in the day, including the 1949 Borgward Hansa 1500, Germany’s first pontoon-style body that apparently became the trendsetter in German automotive design; the 1954 Borgward Isabella, that was apparently renowned as one of the most beautiful cars in that period; and the 1959 Borgward P100, the world’s first automobile with a self-levelling air suspension.

We’re also told that between 1950 and 1958, Borgward was actively involved in international racing circuits. The Hansa 1500 team made remarkable achievements in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nurburgring 1000km, La Carrera Panamericana and Autodrome de Montlhéry, breaking 12 world records. In total, Borgward apparently broke 51 world records in international racing.

The original company ceased operations in 1961. The marque was revived by Carl Borgward’s grandson, Christian Borgward, with partners and Chinese investment in 2008. It unveiled the company’s first new car in over 50 years, the BX7 crossover, at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. While the company is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the BX7 is exclusively built in China.

While there are a couple more crossover models on the way, the Borgward BX7 will be the launch model in the GCC, as we already spotted a test vehicle late last year here in Dubai.