2007
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Iranian highway makes progress
Mohammed Saeedikia, Iran's Minister of Housing and Urban Development, has said that the Tehran-Pardis highway should be operational by next March, the end of the Iranian year, reported the Iran Daily. Work on the 23 kilometre stretch of road began in 2005 and it is now 52% complete. But around half of the required funding for the scheme has yet to be allocated.
Rolls-Royce Mideast boost
Rolls-Royce saw its Middle East sales increase by 36% last year due to ongoing high oil revenues in the region, according to Axel Obermueller, the firm's Director of European and Middle Eastern Sales and cited by Arab News. 120 cars were sold in the region out of a global total of 796. Global Insight has estimated that 5% of vehicles costing $100,000 or more are sold in the Middle East.
Dubai bridge to ease traffic
Dubai has opened a new bridge within the Business Bay zone that will allow passage from Bukendra Interchange to Bur Dubai and Za'abeel, reported Emirates Today. The move is geared to help traffic flow smoothly between Business Bay Crossing and Al Khail Road. The bridge phase is part of of the massive Dhs1.2bn Business Bay Crossing Project.
All new Altima debuts in region
The all new Nissan Altima 2008 has arrvied in the region. Its exterior styling is an evolution of Altima's distinctive, sporty design, and it is available with a long list of advanced technology - including Nissan's new generation Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, built-in Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, and 9-speaker BOSE audio system with iPOD connection.
Dubai official praises Salik
Salik, Dubai's new road toll system, has helped improve traffic flow and has been opposed by only a 'small group of people,' reported Gulf News. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, said the results have shown that the system is 'extremely successful,' while pointing out that congestion on alternative routes is due to 'bad driving behavior.'
Dh1m award to reduce traffic
Dubai companies that introduce a transport system for their employees will now be eligible to win a one million dirham award, reported Gulf News. The Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport, which will be issued by the Roads and Transport Authority, aims to to lessen the number of trips made by private vehicles, decrease pollution, and improve safety. Companies may send entries for any of the three categories.
911 Turbo Cabriolet in Mideast
Porsche Middle East and Africa has rolled out the latest edition of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet. Like the 911 Turbo Coupe, the car is powered by a 3.6-litre six-cylinder biturbo 'Boxer' engine, generating 480 bhp and accelerating from 0 to 100 kph in four seconds. The 911 Turbo Cabriolet is available in Dubai for Dhs488,000, excluding VAT and other country-specific requirements.
Don't watch TV and drive
Dubai Police has warned the city's motorists not to install TV sets in the front of their vehicles, reported Gulf News. Brigadier Eisa Aman, Acting Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, said watching television while driving would 'distract' drivers and might 'lead to accidents'. A number of car accessory shops are known to have been installing TV sets in the front of cars.
Peugeot Pars for Egypt
Car maker Iran Khodro has revealed that a factory will open shortly in Egypt which will roll out the Peugeot Pars sedan, reported the Iran Daily. The plant will have an initial annual capacity of 2,500 vehicles but this will be ramped up to 10,000 in due course. Khodro wants to tap into the large market in Egypt and the rest of North Africa.
Umm Khaba interchange opens
The first phase of the $60.7m Umm Khaba interchange project, also known as the Landmark interchange, has opened in Doha, reported The Peninsula. The new road will aid traffic flow from the Dahl Al Hamam roundabout towards Gharrafa as well as from Shamal towards the Gharrafa interchange. The Umm Khaba project is a major part of the Public Works Authority's (Ashghal) five year plan.
Toyota FJ Cruiser for UAE
Al Futtaim Motors, the sole distributor for Toyota vehicles in the UAE, has launched the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser, reported the Khaleej Times. The sports utility vehicle, which was launched in Bahrain late last month, will retail for between Dhs111,000 and Dhs121,000. Simon Frith, the MD of Al Futtaim Motors, said two more Toyota models should be unveiled before the end of the year.
Waterbuses to ease traffic woes
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has implemented a new waterbus route along the Dubai Creek between Al Seef and Al Sabkha stations as part of its strategy to encourage water transport as a solution to Dubai's traffic congestion. After completing a water transport network for Dubai, the RTA intends to create a water transport link to other emirates, starting with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
New AXA claims by phone service
Customers wishing to make a motor claim with AXA Insurance no longer have to go all the way to their claims office. Through AXA's new 'claims over the phone system,' they can simply call the AXA claims office and register the claim on the phone. Thereafter, they can then drop their cars at the garage along with all the relevant police papers and things will be taken care of from there.
Dubai to begin work on tram
Construction of the new Al Sofouh tram system in Dubai is set to begin in January, the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority announced. The system, which is designed to cater to the commuting needs of around 180,000 residents, will run from Dubai Marina/Jumeirah Beach residence via Dubai Media City and Knowledge Village to Madinat Jumeirah, Mall of the Emirates and Burj Al Arab. Construction is expected to take up to 27 months.
EMC to Marina Mall
The Emirates Motor Company (EMC), the official Mercedes-Benz distributor in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and a member of the Al Fahim Group, has opened a new showroom at the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. The 23,500 sqft facility is twice the size of the current showroom on Airport Road, which will remain operational. The EMC is planning to open another showroom in Mussafah in 2008.
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