2007
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
UAE death crashes
Two people were killed and ten others injured in road traffic accidents over the weekend in Ras Al Khaimah according to the Traffic and Licensing Department and cited by Gulf News. The police said the fatal crashes were due to the drivers not adhering to traffic laws. Meanwhile, in Dubai, two people, a man and a woman in the same vehicle, were killed in an accident in Al Quoz, yesterday, Sunday.
VW strong Mideast sales
Since Volkswagen Middle East opened its regional office in Dubai two years ago, in August 2005, its office has tripled in size and sales have increased by a total of 54%. The firm is anticipating strong sales for 2007, with the Touareg model presently accounting for one third of all sales. The firm recently opened a 100,000 sqft parts facility for VW and Audi brands in Dubai's Jebel Ali.
Zubair in Jeep deal
Zubair Automotive has been awarded the distribution rights for the Jeep brand across Oman by the Chrysler International Corporation, reported the Times of Oman. Zubair has been selling Dodge and Chrysler vehicles in the sultanate since 1973. The announcement is part of Chrysler's ongoing Retail Offensive in Middle East (ROME) project.
Dubai moves to ease parking woes
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority plans to create 29,840 lots by 2009 to help ease the emirate's parking problems, reported Emirates Today. The RTA's parking department has already provided 11,480 paid spaces over the past two years, and a further 11,000 will be in place by the start of next year.
Ford recall for faulty wiring
Ford Middle East is recalling a dozen models totalling 23,008 vehicles to install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical circuit and possibly replace the deactivation switch, reported Arab News. The fused wiring harness will be installed to cut off the electrical supply to the switch in the event there is increased current due to a leaking switch, which could result in overheating and a fire under the hood. The company said owners will be notified to bring their cars in to have the switch replaced.
No plans for new Dubai toll road
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has denied that it has started work on the second phase of its new Salik road toll system, reported Arab News. The emirate introduced toll tax gates in July on motorists who cross Garhoud Bridge and use Sheikh Zayed Road. A news report has stated that work on additional toll gates was underway. However, Salah Al-Marzouqi, from the RTA denied the report saying that the authority has no plans for the second phase of the project.
Dubai widens Emirates road
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority announced that it has completed the first phase of widening the Emirates Road extending from the borders of Sharjah to Al Aweer Intersection. The road has been widened from three to six lanes in each direction and the new lanes will be opened for road users as of Friday 31 August 2007.
Toyota FJ Cruiser for Bahrain
Bahrain's Ebrahim K. Kanoo, the sole distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the kingdom, has unveiled the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser, reported the Bahrain Tribune. The FJ Cruiser, a sports utility vehicle, is equipped with a V6 4-litre engine and five speed electronically controlled automatic transmission designed to generate 240 brake horse power. The FJ Cruiser will cost around $35,200.
Right-hand drive crackdown
Bahraini authorities are to crack down on the importation of cars with steering wheels located on the right-hand side of the vehicle, reported Gulf News. The GCC banned such vehicles from its roads in 2001 for non-compliance with general standards but some owners import these cars and then have the steering wheel moved to the left-hand side of the car. Bahraini officials say this compromises safety standards and is also outlawed.
Dubai Police targets buses
Dubai Police has launched a safety awareness campaign for school bus drivers in the city with the start of the new academic year just around the corner, reported Gulf News. The police has carried out a number of lectures stressing the need for caution when in the vicinity of schools and instructing drivers to abide by speed limits and to avoid jumping red signals.
New Land Rover offer in Qatar
Land Rover has launched a new extended warranty program in Qatar in partnership with Alfardan Premier Motors, the company's exclusive importer in the Gulf country. The program entitles every customer a mandatory 5 year/150,000 kms warranty coverage on the purchase of a Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2. However, vehicles that get exported outside MENA will only carry the original factory 3 year/100,000 km warranty.
Dubai plans new Jebel Ali bridges
Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a bid for the construct of the 8th intersection at Sheikh Zayed Road. The project, which will consist of 10 bridges near Jebel Ali, is part of a strategic plan to reduce bottlenecks in the emirate as the number of inhabitants and car owners swell. The contract was awarded to the Japanese Chimozo Corporation Co., at a cost of Dhs645m.
BMW offers lower lease rates
A special leasing rate on BMW 3 Series models has been announced as part of the BMW Financial Services 'Full Circle' programme, launched in July of this year. BMW 'Full Circle' offers customers lower monthly payments, the opportunity for drivers to upgrade their cars and a range of options at the end of the leasing.
Eight cameras for Sharjah
Sharjah is to install eight new road traffic cameras at various locations in the emirate, reported Gulf News. The cameras will be deployed once the first phase of expansion work on the Al Wahda and King Abdullah Aziz Roads is completed. Meanwhile, three members of one Emirati family have been killed, and three more seriously injured, in a smash on the Airport Road in Sharjah.
Chery in Iran deal
China's Chery Automobile Company has hooked up with the Iran Khodro Company and Canada's Solitac to invest $370m in an auto assembly plant in Iran which will supply the local market and other neighbouring countries, reported the Dow Jones newswires. Khodro will have a 49% stake in the venture, with Chery holding 30%, and Solitac 21%. The plant should be operational within nine months and will produce 200,000 cars per annum.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds