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Suzuki XL7 2008 edition launched in Saudi
Suzuki Saudia, the sole distributor of Suzuki vehicles in the Saudi Arabia, has launched the new Suzuki XL7 2008 edition in market. The new model characterized by its more spacious design, which can accommodate up to seven passengers, and enhanced power with its General Motor-designed, Suzuki-built 3.6-litre, V6 DOHC engine, which can deliver an estimated 188kW/6,400rpm and 330 Nm/2,300rpm of torque.
More Chinese car brands enter Egypt
Liu Zhigang, President of China's Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Automobile, announced that one more brand model of his company came into the Egyptian market for the first time, reported Xinhua. He added that the introduction of Brilliance Splendor into Egypt is another major step for the Chinese car company to advance its marketing strategy in the Middle East and Africa.Chinese car sales in Egypt have increased greatly in 2007 by 255 per cent compared to the same period last year.
BMW is UAE dream car
A BMW luxury car ranks first for UAE residents when asked about their dream car, while Emirati nationals fantasise about owning a Bentley, according to a survey by Mawarid Finance of visitors to the recent Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai. More than 1,000 individuals from different nationalities and income groups were canvassed, ranking BMW as their No 1 choice with 13.4% of the votes. Mercedes Benz came second with 12.2% of votes.
Dubai mulls new road tolls
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority may add toll gates at new roads, reported Emirates Today. The authority is studying the possibility of adding gates on Al Shindaga Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bridge, Business Bay Crossing, and Floating Bridge.
GM & Dubai's RTA bring hybrids to the ME
General Motors (GM) and Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that an evaluation programme between the two will bring hybrid vehicles to the Middle East. The agreement, which includes a comprehensive local market evaluation of GM's new Chevrolet Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid and the new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, could eventually lead to one of the largest fleets of hybrid vehicles in the world, said GM in a statement. The new vehicles will help reduce emissions and reduce noise pollution.
New Ford at Al Jazirah
The Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Company, Saudi Arabia's Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer, has introduced the 2008 Five Hundred, a full-size sedan, to 13 showrooms across the kingdom. The Five Hundred features Ford's 3.5-litre Duratec V-6 engine that delivers 263 NET horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque. The car also includes an MP3 audio input jack.
Jeddah Motor Show
The Saudi International Motor Show is to take place at the Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Centre from November 25-30, reported Arab News. The six day event will feature many leading auto manufacturers including Honda, Nissan and Lamborghini, while an outdoor area will feature pick-ups and buses. The Al Rajhi Bank is sponsoring the show.
New UAE traffic safety campaign
The Emirates Driving Institute has launched a new campaign, Mama I'm Home, to raise traffic awareness among children in Dubai and Sharjah, reported Gulf News. The campaign will distribute 70,000 children traffic safety toolkits throughout the two emirates. Eleven children were killed and 141 injured last year in Dubai.
Slow road to a licence in Dubai
The process of getting a driving licence in Dubai can now take over nine months, reported Gulf News. Due to a surge in applicants in recent months, beginners must wait nearly three months to start training, which entails 40 classes that can stretch over three months. Then the applicant must wait months to take the exam as the number of examiners has fallen 50% compared to last year. Previously, the process took just six to eight weeks.
Mitsubishi 100,000 GCC sales
Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is aiming to sell around 100,000 units in the GCC during the present financial year, reported the Gulf Times. The firm's President, Osamu Masuko, said 52,000 vehicles had been sold in H1 in the region, while sales has totalled 79,000 over the course of the last financial year - itself a rise of 25% on the previous 12 months.
VW unveils Tiguan
Volkswagen has unveiled its new sports utility vehicle (SUV), the Tiguan, in the Middle East. The car, a smaller version of the Touareg, was first displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and it was present at last week's Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai. VW has received 10,000 advance orders for the SUV in Germany alone and it is hoping for a similar response in the Middle East.
Plate auction raises $7.5m
A licence plate auction held by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has raised more than $7.5m, reported Gulf News. The most expensive plate was 'G80' which was sold for $718,000, while F91 wasn't far behind, going for $544,000. More than 300 bidders took part in the event at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Gulf drivers like SUVs
Sports utility vehicles (SUV) make up about 20% of all the vehicles aged between 0 and 12 years on the UAE's roads, according to statistics supplied by Auto Strategies International and cited by Gulf News. It is estimated there are 432,500 SUVs in the UAE out of about 1.9m cars, pickup trucks, vans, lorries and buses. In Saudi Arabia, SUVs make up about 15% of all vehicles.
New bridge for Dubai
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has revealed that the new Al Soufoh-Al Barsha Bridge has opened. The bridge crosses Sheikh Zayed Road and consists of four lanes, two in each direction. It is part of a $57m project aimed at improving the road network in the Al Sufouh area including a new tunnel linking Knowledge Village with Umm Suqeim.
Bahrain taxi fares rise 85%
Bahrain has increased its taxi fares by an average of 85% under a new traffic order, reported Khaleej Times. The new regulation also reduces the lifespan of taxi vehicles from 20-30 years to only eight years to ensure safety and comfort for passengers.
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