2007
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Arabian Autos expansion
Arabian Automobiles is aiming to sell 40,000 cars per annum by 2010 and increase its market share in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to around 25%, reported the Business Weekly. The firm should sell around 28,000 units this year, with its turnover now above $816m. The firm is also launching a $136m expansion drive with new showrooms and support facilities to be built in Dubai and Sharjah.
Rostamani into leasing
The AW Rostamani Group launched a new car rental business last month called Shift Leasing. The firm's fleet will contain more affordable models such as the Nissan Tiida, Renault Clio and Nissan Altima through to high-end luxury vehicles, with other brands such as Toyota, Lexus and Audi also being provided. Rostamani's own car dealership, the Arabian Automobiles Company, will handle maintenance.
No Salik fines
A number of motorists in Dubai claim they have passed through the Salik toll gates without having the required tag fixed to their windscreens but have not received any fines, reported Gulf News. But the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said all violations have been recorded since mid July following the RTA's decision to impose a two week grace period at the start of the month.
Dubai adds more parking meters
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority plans to install 650 parking meters in 22 new locations, making it more difficult for motorists to find free parking in the emirate, reported Gulf News. The move will result in 15,000 to 16,000 free spaces being converted into paid zones. Work will start this year and is expected to completed by next April.
New Dubai plan to reduce traffic
The Dubai Government will let its employees work flexible working hours in a move aimed at reducing traffic congestion, reported Emirates Today. Staff will be able to vary their working hours instead of starting and finishing at set times. All departments have been asked to implement the plan by the General Secretariat of the Dubai Executive Council.
Pedestrian bridge to close
The sole pedestrian bridge on Dubai's Shaikh Zayed Road will soon be closed for metro work, reported Gulf News. It will be demolished in 2008 and replaced by another one linked to the metro station. The new bridge will be made a bit shorter and a new staircase will be built because the current stairs are hindering the passage of the Red Line of Dubai Metro.
UAE driver training call
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, has said the UAE needs a unified approach to the training and testing of new motorists, reported Gulf News. Al Tayer said procedures varied in the different emirates and a standard approach could reduce the number of road accidents. Dubai has recently separated driver training and subsequent testing into two independent entities.
Zenath, Western showroom plan
Zenath Real Estate has commenced construction of a $13.5m car showroom complex in Dubai Investments Park in partnership with the UAE based Western Auto, part of the ETA Star Group. Spread over an area of 101,000 sqft, the complex, comprising seven showrooms of different sizes, will be located close to the Green Community. In addition to housing Western Auto's vehicles, some showrooms will be rented out to other car retailers.
Abu Dhabi-Dubai diversion
Motorists travelling between Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been advised to give themselves more time to make the journey following a major diversion on the Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Highway, reported Gulf News. A 15 kilometre stretch between Al Raha Beach and Shahama has been blocked off for repairs and the speed limit on the diverted route is a maximum of 80 kph. The diversion will remain for two years.
Initial Salik fines waived
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said it is to waive all fines incurred by motorists during the first week of the new Salik road toll, which was introduced at the start of July, reported Gulf News. Mattar Al Tayer, the Chairman and Executive Director of the RTA, said the decision was made because the aim of Salik 'is not to make money but to reduce traffic congestion'.
Saudi women seek meeting
Saudi Arabian women are requesting a meeting with King Abdullah after petitioning him to end a ban on female drivers, reported Bloomberg. Such a meeting would be the first public challenge to the prohibition in 17 years. The Committee of Demanders of Women's Right to Drive Cars submitted a petition to the monarch on September 23 with 1,100 signatories.
'London taxi' style fleet hits UAE
Q-link Transport, the transportation arm of Al Qudra Holding Group, is launching a fleet of luxurious 'London Taxi' style limousines in Abu Dhabi beginning this October. The fleet, which is being assembled in the 'International London Taxi' factory in Coventry, Britain, will operate on a 'call on demand' basis and will transport passengers to any point within the UAE. Unlike London's classic black taxis, these Gulf versions will be a shiny pearl white.
Nissan Jordan offers e-points
Nissan Jordan has become the first car agency in Jordan to join the e-Points network of merchants, giving cardholders the opportunity to earn points when purchasing a Nissan car. e-Points cardholders will receive one point for every JD2 spent on purchasing a Nissan car, and one point for every JD1 spent at the service center. Cardholders can redeem their points at any Nissan service center or at any of over 350 merchants within the e-points network.
RTA offers licenses beyond GCC
The Roads & Transport Authority has signed an agreement with Emirates Automobile and Touring Club for the issuance of international driving licenses and customs documents. The agreement aims to ease travelers' difficulties while crossing borders with their vehicles to countries neighbouring the GCC, such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, & Egypt.
Al Garhoud bridge on track
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority said construction of the new Al Garhoud bridge over Dubai Creek is more than three-quarters complete, reported Emirates Today. The $113m bridge will provide seven lanes in each direction, replacing the existing bridge which has three lanes on each side and causes major backups. The new bridge is due to open in March next year.
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