2006
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Dubai toll roads named
A toll will be levied on cars using Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Garhoud Road in Dubai as part of government plans to ease traffic congestion in the city, Emirates Today reported, citing a senior official. Vehicles will be charged Dhs4 each time they use the roads, up to a maximum Dhs24 a day. Toll gates will be in place by July 2007, the report said.
Dubai eyes safety top ten
A safe driving campaign entitled You Decide is being launched in Dubai with the aim of improving driving standards and reducing the number of accidents. It is also part of a wider plan to put Dubai into the top ten cities in the world for roads safety within the next five years. The first phase of the campaign will run for 90 days, targeting print, broadcast and electronic media.
DIC, DaimlerChrysler sale
Dubai International Capital is looking to offload some of its shares in car maker DaimlerChrysler, with the firm's shares currently trading between $58 and $64 a share, reported Gulf News. Sameer Al Ansari, the CEO of the DIC, said that this price range made a partial sale look attractive. The DIC could sell up to 20% of its 20m shares which it bought at $41.1 a share.
Frenchmen take Desert title
Former World Cup Champion skier Luc Alphand and his co-driver Gilles Picard won the UAE Desert Challenge yesterday, beating fellow Frenchmen and Mitsubishi team-mates Stephane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret by almost 16 seconds. Unsurprisingly, Mitsubishi scooped the team title in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup. Spain's Marc Coma won the Bikes title.
Samand for UAE
Iran is planning to export its low-cost Samand car to the UAE, as well as the rest of the Middle East, Africa and South America, reported Gulf News. The Iran Khodro Company intends to market its basic model at under $8,000, with the top of the range version at $20,000. It was reported here last month that the IKCO wants to crank up exports to 250,000 by 2010.
New Hummer by 2009
General Motors Corp will likely launch a new Hummer in 2009, the head of the brand told Reuters. Hummer has two models in production - the H2 and H3 - while the H1 is no longer made. H3s are now being turned out at a plant in South Africa, which will serve all markets outside North America.
Maybach 62 S powers up
Maybach is bringing out the fourth variation of its luxury saloon with the new 62 S model, the most powerful in the production series, the company said. The 62 S is powered by a Mercedes-AMG enhanced V12 engine with a displacement of six litres - which with twin turbochargers can develop 612 bhp. The Maybach 62 S will be unveiled this month at Auto China 2006 in Beijing.
Toll to use Dubai roads
Dubai motorists will be charged for using roads from next year, Gulf News reported. Vehicles will have to pay a tariff of Dhs4 to use the emirate's busiest roads during peak times, which will be automatically collected through a system of gates and rechargeable cards. The Roads and Traffic Authority will release details next week, the report said.
Safari opens new showroom
Safari Motors, the Saudi agent for Seat and Skoda cars, has opened a new showroom in Riyadh to handle a high demand for those makes, the company said. Safari offers over 20 different Skoda and Seat models, including diesel options.
Call to belt-up all passengers
The wearing of seatbelts should be made compulsory for all a vehicle's occupants to reduce road accident casualties, a conference in Dubai has recommended. Delegates at the Second International Conference on Traffic Safety said people need to be educated about the dangers of unrestrained children and talking on mobile phones in cars, Gulf News reported.
Gargash, M-B used car centre
UAE Mercedes-Benz dealership Gargash Enterprises has opened another "approved" used car showroom - on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Most cars come with a minimum two-year warranty. Gargash says its used car business is growing by 38% year-on-year.
GM hybrid cars
General Motors plans to build environmentally-friendly hybrid cars in China by 2008, AFP reported. GM's hybrid system is currently under development with DaimlerChrysler and the BMW Group. Cars would be made at the Shanghai GM plant.
M-B SUVs on show in Kuwait
Albisher & Alkazemi Company, Mercedes-Benz distributor for DaimlerChrysler in Kuwait, will put on display the Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs from 7-13 November at the Mishref International Fair Grounds. The main event will be the GL-Class, the luxury carmaker's all new full-size SUV. Examples of the R-Class Grand Sports Tourer, ML-Class and G-Class will also be there.
Hertz, ATCUAE deal
Hertz has been made the official supplier of rental cars to the Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE. As well as providing it cars, Hertz says it will support the club's campaign to counter a trade in forged international driving permits. ATCUAE helps organise motor sports events, including this week's UAE Desert Challenge.
Mitsubishi eyes Saudi expansion
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation wants to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, its visiting president said on Saturday. Osamu Masuko said the carmaker would introduce new models in the coming years to cover all market segments. The new Mitsubishi L200 and Galant were recently introduced there.
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