2006
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Euro Motors, 0% finance on BMW
Euro Motors, the dealership for BMW in Bahrain, is offering sales with 0% financing throughout Ramadan. The offer applies to all 2006 MBW and Mini models financed over 24 months. The company's showrooms in Sitra will open for extended hours during the month.
Learners taken off roads
Learner drivers will be banned from Dubai's roads after 5pm, and from the city's main roads altogether, 7Days reported. The Road and Transport Authority made the decision in an attempt to ease traffic congestion on Dubai's main transport arteries, and during peak times.
Honda goes diesel
Honda Motor says it has developed a diesel engine that is as clean as petrol-fuelled cars, Reuters reported. The company plans to fit the engine to cars in the US by 2009. Being more economical to run, diesel-powered cars are popular in Europe where petrol prices are high, but are not widely used in oil-rich Middle East countries where governments heavily subsidise motorists.
National, Emerald Club
National Car Rental has launched its global Emerald Club loyalty programme across the Middle East. Members will receive benefits such as free upgrades in the Middle East, easier rental procedures, priority customer recognition, access to a member's helpline and discounted leisure rates. Emerald Club members will receive these benefits across National Car's global network.
ATCUAE gets new Dubai HQ
The Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE is to have a new headquarters in Dubai to centralise its control of motor sport in the country as well as its services for motoring tourists and travellers. A 30,000 sqft plot in the city's Al Mumzar area has been allocated for the construction of the premises which will open late next year.
Used car site proves a hit
The web site for the online trading of used cars at the $54.5m Used Cars Complex at Ras Al Khor is attracting visitors from around the world, including the US, Europe and other Arab countries. The site has received nearly 300,000 visits since it was launched in April. Most visitors were from Saudi Arabia, followed by the UAE, the US and Zimbabwe; the site can be accessed at www.usedcars.ae
Sheikh Zayed Rd gets meters
The paid parking area on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road is to be extended with the installation of more than 40 parking meters between interchanges one and two, reported Gulf News. The work is part of the seventh phase of the Paid Parking Control System, which will see meters installed right across the city. Once the phase is completed, there will be 48,000 paid parking spaces in Dubai, up from 39,000.
Bridgestone, Dubai SBU
The Bridgestone Corporation has established a strategic business unit HQ in Dubai to cover its tyre business in the Mena region; it has also set up an SBU in Singapore for the Asia-Pacific region. Both offices begin operations on October 1. Bridgestone has set up the SBUs with the objective of speeding up decision-making and action and in order to optimise regional strategy.
Bad habits cause Dubai crashes
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority is blaming the bad road etiquette of the city's drivers for creating traffic jams and causing accidents, reported Gulf News. Maitha Obaid bin Udai, the CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA, said that the organisation's main concern was improving driver education. She added that speeding, a lack of patience and bad habits were the biggest contributors to accidents.
Lexus IS300 drives into UAE
Al-Futtaim Motors, the dealership for Lexus in the UAE, now has the Lexus IS300 sports sedan in showrooms. The car is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine that delivers 228 bhp, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. Driving technologies include Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, which gives improved torque and smooth acceleration, lower fuel consumption, and reduced exhaust emissions.
Honda, world's largest showroom
Honda has opened its largest showroom in the world in the Dubai Festival City's Automotive Park. Last night Regional MD Shigeru Takagi and CEO of UAE agents Al-Futtaim Group, Omar Al-Futtaim, hosted an official opening featuring traditional Geishas from Kyoto in Japan.
HSBC Racing Academy is go
HSBC and Dubai Autodrome is setting up an academy for aspiring UAE racing car drivers. The HSBC Racing Academy will give UAE nationals aged 14-25 years the chance to train under professional instructors. There are also three scholarship places to La Filliere Racing School in France. The academy will hold selection trials from 1-21 October.
BMW Z4 M Coupe hits UAE
Abu Dhabi Motors unveiled the BMW Z4 M Coupe and BMW 3 Series Coupe to motoring journalists in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The Z4 M Coupe fixed-roof two-seater sports car runs on BMW's award-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M power engine that puts out 343 bhp. Acceleration to 100km/h comes in 5.0 seconds, with a top speed limited electronically to 250km/h.
$27.2m BMW showroom expansion
Abu Dhabi Motors is spending $27.2m to expand its BMW showroom to 341,300 sqft, making it the largest in the Middle East. GM Arno Husselmann says the expansion reinforces the company's commitment to growth and customer service in the region.
DaimlerChrysler cuts shipments
DaimlerChrysler is cutting vehicle shipments to dealers of its US-based Chrysler unit by at least 135,000 more cars and trucks than originally planned in the second half of 2006, Bloomberg reported. The automaker plans to ship about 705,000 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles in H1 for retail sale, less than the 840,000 planned. High fuel prices have hit demand for pick-up trucks and big SUVs.
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