2007
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Volkswagen ME sales up 32%
Volkswagen said its Middle East sales were up 32% in the first six months of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006. Deliveries of the Toureg SUV increased by 14%, and accounted for 33% of regional sales. No regional figures were released.
Land Rover drives up sales
Land Rover has said that its sales in the Gulf during Q2 rose by around 18% when compared to the same period last year. The car maker did not reveal how many units it has shifted in the region but, globally, by the end of June, it had sold 108,874 cars. The total represents an 8% lift on its H1 sales figures.
135 killed in Dubai in H1
Traffic authorities in Dubai have revealed that the number of fatalities in road accidents in H1 dropped by 14% when compared to the first half of 2006, reported Gulf News. A total of 135 people were killed on Dubai's roads up to the end of June, as opposed to 157 last year. The Emirates Road saw the most deaths, with 22, followed by Sheikh Zayed Road with 20.
Flashing lights in Dubai
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is trialling flashing traffic lights in Jumeira and Sufouh ahead of a possible city-wide introduction, reported Gulf News. The new signals, which flash green three times before changing to amber and then red, supposedly offer motorists more of a warning of when the traffic lights are likely to change. It is hoped the new system will reduce the number of traffic signal violations and also accidents.
Radars for DIA tunnel
Dubai Police has said four new speed cameras have been installed in the tunnel approaching the Dubai International Airport, reported Gulf News. The move, in association with the Roads and Transport Authority, is part of the force's policy of targeting roads which have seen serious accidents and frequent speeding violations.
Defective UAE Aveos recalled
General Motors is recalling hundreds of Chevrolet Aveos in the UAE to fix a fault that can crack the fuel line in a front-end collision, Gulf News reports. The defect affects 1,488 2007 model Aveo sedans with 1.4l engines. Dubai distributor Al Yousuf Motors is currently assessing the exact number of affected cars on the road.
BMW Full Circle to UAE
UAE dealers AGMC and Abu Dhabi Motors have introduced a new leasing programme by BMW Group Middle East. The scheme, called Full Circle, allows buyers to set terms and choose the kilometre allowance for vehicles. BMW says customers will be able to replace, return, refinance or retain their cars under the programme.
More powerful BMW X5 in Kuwait
Kuwait BMW dealer Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive has added the more powerful BMW X5 3.0-litre model to its lineup. The luxury SUV boasts a 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder engine and a lightweight aluminium-magnesium alloy crankcase. The power plant turns out 272bhp taking the vehicle to 100km/h from a standing start in 8.1 seconds and to a top speed of 225 km/h.
Floating bridge to ease traffic
Dubai transport authorities are hoping $81.7m of projects inaugurated on Monday will help ease traffic problems in the city, recently named as the most congested in the Middle East. The projects include a floating bridge on Dubai Creek, and waterbus and articulated buses. The floating bridge will be open from 6am to 10pm daily, and will eventually be replaced by a permanent bridge.
New Tatas in Saudi
India's Tata has launched three new models in Saudi Arabia - the Indica, Indigo and Marina. The 2008 models were unveiled in the kingdom by India's ambassador on Monday, Arab News reported. Mohamed A. Alhamrani & Co. Intertrade is the local distributor. The cars are priced from $8,000-9,330.
Ford denies Volvo talks
Ford has denied it is planning to sell Volvo, the BBC reports. UK newspapers had reported the ailing carmaker was in talks to offload its Swedish brand. Ford bought Volvo in 1999 for $6.45bn.
Iran carmaker fears sanctions
Carmaker Iran Khodro is seeking global partners to reduce its vulnerability to further UN sanctions, Reuters reports. Khodro, which is part state-owned, has to meet a government deadline this month to make only hybrid cars for the Iranian market. CEO Manouchehr Manteghi said expanding and diversifying its partnerships was necessary in case certain partners were forced to drop out due to sanctions.
Ford prepares Volvo sale
Ford is preparing to sell Volvo in a move that could fetch $8bn, according to The Sunday Times. Volvo is larger than Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, making about 500,000 cars a year at plants in Sweden and Belgium. Meanwhile, Ford has recruited accountancy group KPMG to examine the books of its Jaguar and Land Rover brands, ahead of an expected $2bn sale later this year, the report said.
GM Mideast sales up 6%
GM sold 66,650 vehicles in the Middle East in the first six months of 2007, a rise of 6% over the same period in 2006, Gulf Daily News reported. June was the US carmaker's best month, with 14,781 cars and SUVs rolling out of showrooms across the region. GM launched 17 models in the region last year, so maintaining growth was always going to be a challenge, GM Middle East MD Terry Johnson said.
BMW 5 Series in Saudi
The new BMW 5 Series is now available in Saudi at Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors. The car comes via two engine options. The 523 model carries a 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine, and the 525 and 530 models carry 3.0-litre variations. The 530 is available in optional all-wheel-drive. The BMW 540 and 550s are powered by 4.0-litre and 4.8-litre eight-cylinder engines respectively. Both are available in all-wheel-drive. Improvements in the BMW 5 Series include a new automatic six-speed gearbox with available SMG transmission and electronic gear selection.
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