2007
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Trans Jordan Aqaba opening
The Trans Jordan Car Rental Company, which operates the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands in the kingdom, has opened a new branch in the Red Sea port of Aqaba. Trans Jordan, which currently has a fleet of 190 vehicles, is looking to ramp this figure up to 300 as it opens more outlets across the kingdom.
Nissan sees sales spike
Nissan Middle East recorded its highest monthly sales for 22 years during November. The firm sold 12,550 units during the month which is a 23% spike over the same period last year. Nissan is hoping that its regional sales will continue to rise in 2008 with the recent launch of new models such as the Altima sedan and coupe and the Xterra, Qashqai and Navara sports utility vehicles.
Kia Picanto in Bahrain
Bahrain's Bin Hindi Group, the kingdom's authorised Kia dealer, has taken delivery of the 2008 Kia Picanto, reported the Bahrain Tribune. The compact five door model offers twin airbags and an anti-lock braking system as well as CD and MP3 players. Customers can pick up the Picanto for a monthly instalment of BD58 according to Mohammed bin Hindi, General Manager, Kia and the Chief Marketing Officer of the Bin Hindi Group.
Pay fines by credit card
Motorists in Dubai can now pay their traffic fines electronically, via credit card, following the Dubai Police's recent tie-up with the Electronic Services Department, reported Gulf News. Drivers can now either pay at kiosks located at various shopping malls throughout the city, or they can log on to Dubai Police's website at www.dubaipolice.gov.ae
Cherry enters joint venture with Israel
Quantum, an American subsidiary of holding company Israel Corp., announced it was embarking on a joint venture with an unnamed Asian automaker, reported Detroit News. Israel Corp. has now won approval from China's still heavily centralized government to set up shop in partnership with Chery Automobile. The Israeli partner will take a 45% stake in the venture, worth about $225m, with Chery presumably taking the other 55%. The news of the deal was announced shortly after reports of an ambitious plan to put 10,000 electric cars on Israeli roads by 2010.Chery was the first brand of the Chinese automakers that now manufactures outside of China, operating its own plants in Iran, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Argentina. Yet it's still not known where the new Sino-Israeli cars will be built.
Porsche 20% sales spike
Porsche Middle East and Africa has revealed that it witnessed a 20% spike in sales in the business year ending July 31. The firm sold 5,330 cars when compared to 4,419 in 2006 and the total represents Porsche's eighth straight year of record sales figures. The Cayenne model was the carmaker's big seller, shifting more than 3,400 units, while the Boxster, Cayman and 911 also saw solid sales increases.
Mercedes sees sales boost
Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East and Levant, has revealed that its sales figures for November were up 18.4%, with 1,511 units sold, when compared to last November's total of 1,277. This brings year-to-date sales in the region to 15,245, which represents a 5.7% increase over the same period last year. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has performed very strongly, with its November sales up 97% and year-to-date sales up 44%.
Outdoor ads monitored
Hussain Al Harthy, Head of Road Engineering and Traffic Management at Abu Dhabi Police, has said outdoor advertisements must not distract the capital city's drivers, reported Gulf News. Al Harhty said firms who produce such adverts have to adhere to a strict set of guidelines and the colours red and green cannot be used at traffic intersections for example. Al Harthy suggested that motorists 'cannot afford to read through long advertisements'.
Al Habtoor Mitsubishi offer
Al Habtoor Motors, the sole distributor for Mitsubishi cars in the UAE, has launched a special promotion which runs until January 5. Customers will receive free registration and insurance, as well as free servicing up to 50,000 kilometres, if they buy a Mitsubishi Pajero, Nativa, Outlander, Galant, Lancer, Lancer EX or Grandis.
Veracruz into Saudi
The Al Wallan Group, Hyundai's agent for Saudi Arabia's Central Province, has launched the 2008 model of the Veracruz in the kingdom, reported Arab News. The sports utility vehicle (SUV) has a 3.8-litre engine and can generate 260 brake horsepower; it also features six speed automatic transmission. The Veracruz SUV will cost SR125,000.
'Islamic' car ready in 2011
Carmaker Iran Khodro has said a vehicle which will include certain features aimed at Muslim motorists should be rolled out in 2011, according to Reuters. It had been reported that an 'Islamic' car was to be devised by Malaysia's Proton alongside firms in Iran and Turkey. But none of the Islamic features, like a compass showing the direction of Mecca, will be included as standard; the car will cost up to $11,700.
Audi R8 awarded ME car of the year
AUTOCAR Middle East Awards brought by MotorCity, the region's annual automotive awards have given the Audi R8 the 2007 car of the year award.
$95m service centre for Dubai
Dubai Industrial City has signed an agreement with Arabian Automobiles for the construction of a Dhs350m ($95m) state-of-the-art service centre for Nissan, Infiniti, and Renault. Under the agreement, the three million sq. ft. modern service centre will include a specialized service centre, logistics, distribution and warehouse complex.
First Maserati and Ferrari showroom in Oman
The first Ferrari and Maserati showroom in Oman has been launched by Shanfari Automotive. The showroom, which is located at the group head office premises in Al Khuwair, will include such offerings as the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and the Maserati GranTurismo.
Volvo invests in Indian truck joint venture
Swedish car maker Volvo, the world's second-largest truck maker, is to invest $350m in the Indian market through a joint venture with Eicher Motors. Global truck makers are eager for a larger share of an Indian market, the world's fifth-biggest. Volvo will buy 8.1 per cent in Eicher Motors, India's third-biggest truck maker, giving it 50 per cent in the venture.
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