From the F1 tracks to owning one of the world’s most prestigious automotive facilities, Motaz Abu-Hijleh has a passion for cars like no other. He has spent more than a decade as a successful motorsport team director and is now providing his expert service and experience to the public with his company Parc Fermé. Driven by passion and knowledge, the team at Parc Fermé provides premier automobile service and storage that can’t be replicated. Parc Fermé is the embodiment of pride and luxury and has a core goal of providing the best service for you. From its launch in 2012, Parc Fermé houses some of the best cars in the world and provides supercar and luxury owners with top-notch storage, maintenance, and delivery. We at Chic Icon, being the official media partner of Parc Fermé’s exclusive event during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with car extraordinaire Motaz Abu-Hijleh. He provided us with an in-depth look into his world at Parc Fermé and how it came to fruition.
How has your experience as a successful motorsport team director and driver set you up to found Parc Fermé?
Any job in the motorsport industry is very stressful, directing an entire racing team probably takes the cake short of being team principle of an F1 team. How do you think I got all this white hair?
I took that experience and shaped it to fit the vision I had for Parc Ferme, it all boils down to having a passion for whatever it is we are doing, and that is something that I try my best to instill in every aspect of Parc Fermé. Be it the team or the suppliers.
What makes Parc Fermé so special?
Would it be cliché if I say passion? Because that is what makes it special, each member of the team has a love story with cars, and this is what sets us above the rest. We see cars as not just inanimate objects, to us, cars have souls, and when you treat them well and with good care, they will return the favor to you.
What does it mean for a client to have their car under your care?
It simply means their car is in the best place it can possibly be. We have had a client that stated we took care of his car more than he takes care of his wife. A wealth of knowledge in the automotive world combined with customer service standards that are second to none – that is our secret recipe to customer satisfaction and unmatched standards of work.
Have you always had a love for automobiles? What brought you to where you are today?
My love for all things automotive is like the numeric system, it has no beginning and no end. It is important to trust the process and the path that you have taken in order to achieve what you want – regardless of how many potholes you face in the proverbial street – just drop a gear and keep going.
What does your current inventory look like?
Earlier, you asked me what does it mean for a client to have their car here. One of those is privacy and discretion, so I cannot disclose that information. However, I can comfortably say we have a healthy mix of hyper-cars, supercars, race cars, classics, and SUVS – each with its own story.
What do you believe is the most important thing when taking care of a car?
There is no one singular act to pinpoint – as far as I am concerned, cars have a plethora of systems working together that are not exclusive of each other. Something as simple as how you close your car door can have an effect on the car in the future, I always die a little inside when I hear a car door being slammed. Again it goes back to how you treat your car – respect your car by getting the service done on time, using proper cleaning techniques, making sure preventative maintenance is always done, and above all, treat it with respect.
How did you start Parc Fermé?
Having been the first record-shattering racing team in the region – I developed a taste for being a market leader and trendsetter. Before Parc Fermé came to fruition, there were no vehicle storage facilities in the Middle East, that forward-thinking combined with the idea that cars should always live in a vacation like conditions birthed Parc Fermé in 2012. Needless to say, since it was a foreign concept to the region, it was a very daunting task, but we did come through with it.
What do you believe is the most important part of the car business?
To not look at it as a business – see it as a community – we are a group of like-minded individuals with the same passion for cars – therefore, we work to create solutions and services that complement each other to be enjoyed by car owners everywhere. See what I mean by community?
What is your favorite car you have seen or owned?
I have seen and driven countless cars – however, nothing comes close to my own Mitsubishi Lance Evolution 9. This is a car that the team and I built together from the ground up. Literal blood, sweat, and tears went into this car and countless sleepless nights. I have never had a bond with a car stronger than the one I have with my Evo.
What do you think about your partnership collaboration with Chic Icon?
I take pride in this collaboration, it gives me a chance to bring to the masses an inside look into the world of cars far from what you see on the movie screen.
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