2007
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Qatar used car slump
The second hand car market in Qatar has experienced a major nosedive as steep asking prices, combined with attractive promotions for new models from dealerships, have seen sales plummet, reported The Peninsula. Buyers are being increasingly pulled towards new vehicles by packages including no down payment, delayed repayments as well as free insurance and registration. Used car retailers say the market has stagnated over the past three months.
Radisson offers Lexus fleet
Hertz UAE has signed an exclusive deal with the Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek to provide a fleet of luxury Lexus LX 470 cars for guest transportation. The hotel will be the only one in Dubai to offer the cars.
Volvo goes sailing
Volvo Cars Middle East has partnered with Laser Middle East and ART Marine LLC to further develop sailing and lifestyle in the Middle East. Volvo is the official car sponsor of the event to be known as Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix. Its maiden season starts in October this year and concludes in March 2008 at the Dubai International Boat Show.
Audi Mideast sales up 31%
Audi Middle East has reported a sales growth of 31.4% across the Middle Eastern markets equalling a total of 3,223 units in the first half of the year, from January to June 2007 (2006: 2452), according to news reports. With a total of over a third of sales UAE remains the strongest market followed by Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Syria.
RUF Bahrain nears production
The first car to be manufactured by RUF Bahrain will be ready by November, reported the Arab News. The first car will be an RUF CTR3 and the plant is likely to produce a total of two or three vehicles this year. By next July, the factory will be rolling out other models including the RUF R50 and the RUF Spyder.
Sharjah snarls frustrate drivers
Lane restrictions which have been enforced on the Al Ittihad Road heading from Dubai towards Sharjah have led to major tail-backs, reported Gulf News. Motorists coming from Deira can no longer access the first two lanes on Al Ittihad and Sheikh Rashid Roads as these have been allocated to traffic coming from the tolled Al Garhoud Bridge. Heavy congestion has occurred on the floating bridge and Al Maktoum Bridge as a consequence.
RAK gets Thrifty
Thrifty Car Rental has opened its 21st outlet in the UAE and its first in Ras Al Khaimah. Located in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone's main building, the outlet is one of several which will be opened in the next few months as part of Thrifty's nationwide expansion plans. The firm will offer both rental and leasing services from its new Ras Al Khaimah base.
Six killed on Emirates Road
Six people were killed on Dubai's Emirates Road yesterday, Friday, in two connected incidents at around 7.20am, reported Gulf News. In the first accident, three Indians died following a head-on smash involving two cars and, shortly afterwards, three Indian labourers, who had got out of their work bus to watch the previous incident, were killed when a second bus ploughed into them. Several more labourers were injured.
Benz Mideast sales up 17%
Deliveries of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in the Middle East and Levant were up just over 17% in July to 1,083 compared to the same month in 2006. Benz confirmed the new C-Class has proved highly popular with customers who like the option of a traditional or a sporty face, in which deliveries rose over 24% year on year.
BMW 1 Series in 3-door
Qatar-based Alfardan Automobiles has launched the 3-door variant of the BMW1 series, following the success of the 5-door BMW 118i hatchback saloon. With enhanced exteriors, redesigned interiors and sportier performance, the 3-door BMW 118i hopes to capture BMW aficionados across the country.
Al-Rajhi relaunches car express
Al-Rajhi Bank has relaunched its 'car express' offer for the seventh month, joining 18 car brands in 11 cities in Saudi Arabia. The programme, aimed at facilitating car ownership, is being offered in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al-Hassa, Al-Qassim, Tabuk, Medina, Abha, Hafr al-Batin, Jizan and Najr over six days, starting August 11.
Qatar introduces stiff penalties for bad driving
The Qatar government has introduced stiff penalties for poor drivers that continually break road regulations, in an effort to curb accidents and deaths caused by dangerous driving. Decree No 19 of 2007 includes a points system that results in a repeat offender's licence being cancelled. First time offenders hitting 14 points will lose their licence for three months. Licence suspension then grows by three months each time that person hits a diminishing points total, with them ultimately losing their licence for a year on reaching eight points. A sixth cancellation, when reaching six points, will result in having to pass a driving test before the licence is re-issued.
Proton considers Egyptian plant
Proton, the ailing Malaysian auto manufacturer, has said it may set up a plant in Egypt to boost imports. A spokesman for the company told the Middle East Times it hoped to use Egypt as a base from which it could enter the African and West Asian markets. Proton recently reported losses of $172.4 million.
Murano 08 enters Middle East
Nissan has made available in showrooms across the Middle East its 2008 edition of Nissan Murano, building on the high standards set by its predecessors. The redefined crossover SUV launched the stylish Murano in 2005. The new model has an intelligent key optional feature.
Five Dollars for Oman
Dollar Rent A Car is planning to open five outlets in Oman before the end of the year, reported the Bahrain Tribune. The firm is forming a franchise agreement with Emirates Cars and will target the cities of Muscat, Salalah and Sohar. Dollar is also looking to appoint franchisees in Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan in the coming months.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds