2005
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Al Nabooda 1,000 Porsche sales
UAE Porsche dealer Al Nabooda Automobiles has clocked up 1,000 car sales in 2005, representing a 34% increase over last year. This compares favourably to the average 500 units per year sold by the bigger Porsche centres in Germany, according to GM Georg Brune.
Club Cars for Doha games
Dubai-based Hydroturf International, the distributor of Club Car in the Middle East, will supply 250 cars worth $3m for the Doha Asian Games 2006. The cars will be used to support operations at the event's 50 competition and administrative venues.
Bin Hamoodah Chevy deals
UAE Chevrolet dealer Bin Hamoodah is promoting the Trailblazer and Tahoe with free one-year comprehensive insurance, up to $1361 in fuel vouchers, free registration, and free one year or 20,000 km service. Both vehicles are being offered with zero down payment, with the TrailBlazer selling from $423.37 per month, and Tahoe from $514.00 per month.
Dubai cabbies win protest
Dubai's Metro Taxi drivers have forced bosses to withdraw a planned rent increase and study a commission based system, after two days of industrial action. Drivers protested against 18-hour working days and poor working conditions, which include paying large rents for cabs regardless of fares generated.
Taxis out on rent rises
At least 200 Metro Taxi drivers in Dubai refused to work on Monday to protest a hike in daily rent on cars by Dhs25. Drivers already pay Dhs235 for a Peugeot and Dhs265 for a Toyota, and can work for up to 18 hours a day.
UAE deals on Audi
UAE Audi dealer Ali & Sons is offering the Audi A8L, A6, A4 and A3 at a rate of 3.75% with zero down payment, first payment after 60 days, no salary transfer required, and repayment tenor of up to 60 months. Sales also come with free AAA membership, 100% insurance finance, and three years unlimited warranty.
Chevrolet Optra deal
UAE Chevrolet dealers Al Yousef Motors, Liberty Automobiles and Bin Hamoodah are promoting the 2006 Chevrolet Optra starting from $11.984. The Optra is powered by a 1.6-litre DOHC four cylinder engine and comes with automatic transmission, remote keyless entry, single airbag, and RDS radio and cassette.
Infiniti G Sedan promotion
UAE agent Arabian Automobiles is offering a 0% finance deal on the Infiniti G Sedan, plus two years or 35,000km of free service. This 289 bhp, 3.5-litre, V6 engine car, has leather seats, sport suspension, Bose audio system, ABS, EBD and TCS.
Toyota challenges GM
Toyota says it would increase output by 10% in 2006 to a record 9.06m vehicles, which could see the Japanese car manufacturer overtake General Motors as the world's top carmaker, reported Reuters. GM and Ford are closing plants in North America as they face shrinking sales and soaring labour and financing costs.
M-B offloads 70 cars at show
Mercedes-Benz sold 70 cars, including three Maybach sedans and two Mercedes SLR McLarens, at the Dubai motor show, reported Emirates Today. Johannes Fritz, director, sales and marketing, said the result beat the 48 cars sold at the show two years ago.
Honda City now in ME
Honda has introduced the Honda City to the Middle East, which it says is built on the concept of sports performance. The car is powered by a 1.5-litre VTEC engine and has a Steermatic system where the driver can shift from seven-speed auto to manual mode. The City is currently available in the UAE and Oman.
Traffic fines revenue bonanza
Dubai has pulled in more than $35.4m worth of traffic fines from motorists for speeding and red light offences so far this year, General Department of Traffic official told Emirates Today. More than 676,000 speed and red light violations were recorded between January and the end of November 2005.
Jumeirah radar trap
Up to 50 radar devices are being installed on Jumeirah Road in Dubai to catch speeding motorists and red light-runners, a police official told Gulf News. The road will be dotted with up to 14 speed and 36 red light radars along the road, currently undergoing major reconstruction works.
Dubai auto show, attendance low
The 8th Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai last week only recorded an 8% growth in attendance, despite being considerably larger than the previous event two years ago. The show attracted 81,272 visitors, up from 80,000, less than expected by the manufacturers.
Daihatsu Copen ZZ, new shape
Al Yousuf Motors has revealed Daihatsu's latest sports concept car, the Copen ZZ at the Dubai motor show. The car's signature teardrop shape is now longer and wider, it has custom-made Recaro leather seats and a leather MOMO steering wheel. An electrically operated folding roof covers the cabin in around 20 seconds.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds