2007
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Al Masaood 'Altimate' offer
Al Masaood Automobiles, the sole distributor for Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has launched a sales promotion called the 'Altimate Offer Campaign'. Customers buying an entry level Nissan Altima before October 1 can do so with a limited down payment, while those who purchase the six cylinder, 3.5-litre Altima will receive a discounted insurance rate and a free two years, or 30,000 kilometre, service package.
Dubai smash kills three
Three people were killed and several suffered severe injuries after a speeding car crashed into a stationary tow truck which was in the process of winching a broken down van near Sheikh Zayed Road's third interchange in Dubai yesterday, Friday, reported Gulf News. The accident, which happened at around 10.25am, caused severe tailbacks as the road was cordoned off for two hours.
Mercedes SLK installment offer
UAE Mercedes-Benz dealer Gargash Enterprises is selling the M-B SLK convertible with Dhs5,000 down payment and monthly installments of Dhs2,995 over 36 months. Sales come with a two-year manufacturer's warranty, one-year Gargash warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance. The offer is open for a limited time and terms and conditions apply.
Alpina B5 hits Mideast
The BMW Alpina B5 has arrived in Middle East showrooms. The redesigned B5 has a 500bhp, 4.4-litre V8 linked to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with Switch-Tronic access on the steering wheel. BMW says the saloon reaches 100km/h from a standing start in 4.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 314km/h.
Mercedes plans petrol-diesel
Mercedes-Benz is developing a new 'green' four-cylinder engine that combines features of petrol and diesel motors and can generate 238bhp while using less than six litres of petrol per 100km, according to Reuters. The car maker plans to roll out the DiesOtto engine in the 'medium term'. Volkswagen is working on similar technology which it plans to introduce by the middle of the next decade.
Ferrari 430 Scuderia at Frankfurt
Michael Schumacher will unveil the new Ferrari 430 Scuderia at the Frankfurt motor show in September, according to the Telegraph. The Scuderia is powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine which turns out 510bhp at 8,500rpm which is transmitted using Ferrari F1 software, reducing gear-change times. Weighing 1,250kg, the Scuderia 430 is 100kg lighter than the original F430.
Bonyan, Fiat go-ahead
Iran's Bonyan Auto and Italian carmaker Fiat have allegedly resolved problems that have caused a two year delay to their plans to set up an Iranian production line for the Siena sedan, reported the Iran Daily citing Edmunds.com. A deal thrashed out in 2005 had intended for the establishment of a $275m factory with a capacity of 100,000 vehicles. It is now hoped the first vehicles will be rolled out this autumn.
Four killed in Sharjah crash
Four Indian men were killed on the Sharjah-Al Dhaid highway yesterday, Sunday, when the minibus they were travelling in was in collision with a heavy duty truck, reported Gulf News. The incident occurred at around 6am near to interchange seven as the men were on their way to their contracting firm's work site. 17 people were injured, with three in a critical condition.
Khodro manufactures Tondar
The Iran Khodro Company has commenced manufacturing the gas fuelled Tondar 90 sedan, reported the Tehran Times. The vehicle will be mass produced under the management of France's Renault. The cars are expected enter the market sometime during 2008 and they will be exported to 26 countries including Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, the UAE, Azerbaijan and Qatar.
Parking meters for AD
The Abu Dhabi Municipality and Agriculture Department is to introduce parking meters into the capital from September, reported Emirates Today. The first phase will see meters in the area around the Ministry of Public Health in Hamdan Street, near to Al Nour Hospital and the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange. Tariffs will vary between Dhs2-3 per hour depending on location, with an upper limit of Dhs15 a day.
Suzuki Saudia sales rise
Suzuki Saudia, the sole distributor of Suzuki vehicles in Saudi Arabia and part of the Bamarouf Group, has revealed that it has achieved a 157% spike in sales for its Alto model during the first five months of the year, reported Arab News. Successful marketing strategies aimed at key niche segments such as fast food companies, Suzuki suppliers and government departments have been behind the increase.
$7,600 Chery popular in UAE
China's Chery car brand, with models starting at $7,600, is seeing growing demand among new drivers in the UAE, according to distributors KAT. Chery is the only Chinese car made with GCC specifications. The car maker is expecting to sell 340,000 vehicles worldwide in 2007 with a sales goal of 1m by 2010.
Toyota to test plug-in
Toyota is moving ahead with plans to build the first plug-in hybrid car to be tested on public roads, the FT reported. Plug-ins use a battery that can be charged from a household power socket and provide lower fuel consumption than existing hybrids. Toyota's plug-in hybrid is based on the Prius hatchback petrol-electric hybrid. General Motors has said it will produce its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid in commercial quantities by 2010.
Mobile radars trap unwary
Dubai police hope new mobile radars in unmarked patrol cars will help to discourage speeding. Police have issued 230 fines in the ten days since the system was deployed, Gulf News reported. There are currently two patrols working Sheikh Zayed and Emirates roads around the clock. That will be increased to 12.
Bentley Brooklands on way
The Bentley Brooklands, which was unveiled at the Geneva car show in March 2007, will be available in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East by February 2008, Arab News reported. The car runs on a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V8, the most powerful engine to come from the luxury car maker's Crewe factory. The Bentley will be restricted to a lifetime build of 550, according to carsguide.com.
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