Peugeot unveiled its new 407 to the Middle East with a dramatic helicopter entry over the Abu Dhabi seafront. The 407 has already enjoyed high sales in Europe, and Peugeot hopes to repeat this in the GCC. Jeremy Wetherhill, Divisional Manager, looks at the company's strategy.
Porsche recently launched the new 6th generation 911 in the Middle East, after a successful year which saw sales boosted by the new Cayenne SUV. Porsche is also expanding its territorial coverage by adding two new markets, Yemen and India. Mark Bishop, Managing Director, Porsche Middle East, says the 911 has been redesigned to make it far more easy to drive.
IBM is collaborating with students from United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain to develop the UAE's first localised smart car. Advanced monitoring systems enable the vehicle to alert police when speed violations occur, and even issue tickets and fines. The system includes a complete map of the entire road network in the UAE, including all speed limits on individual roads.
Panasonic hopes to boost sales with its new summer promotion, where customers spending Dh200 or more get the chance to win one of ten Lexus cars. Sam Turel, General Manager, Al Futtaim Panatech, says growth for 2004 is already high.
General Motors is a key sponsor of the Child Car Saftey Exhibition held at Dubai's City Centre shopping mall. Douglas Munro, Acting Managing Director for GM Africa & Middle East, explains why the company chose to become involved.
A new Dubai-based motor racing series will start next year to fill the European winter months. The A1 Grand Prix aims to be the "World Cup of Motorsport" featuring up to 30 identical Lola cars, with 3.5 litre Langford engines, racing under different national flags. A1 is the brainchild of Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher al Maktoum.
Porsche Middle East has enjoyed a spectacular 2003, with sales up 290% on the previous year - over 1700 vehicles sold. Mark Bishop, Managing Director for Porsche Middle East, says he expects sales growth to continue as the luxury car sector enjoys a strong 2004.
Porsche's latest model, the Carrera GT, made its Middle East debut in Dubai. With a 5.7 litre cubic capacity and an engine output of 612 bhp, it has a top speed of over 330 kmph. The Carrera GT does 0-100 in less than four seconds, and 0-200 in less than 10.
Nissan's debut entry for the UAE Desert Challenge has been unveiled in Dubai. The specially modified red-and-white pick up has already achieved great results at the 2003 Morocco Rally.
Qatari rally driver Mohammed Al Mannai is competing on top form, thanks to sponsorship by Qtel. Al Mannai suffered a horrific crash in 1991 that left him paralysed from the waist down, but thanks to corporate support he's back driving on an international level.
Arabia's rich and often endangered wildlife is the subject of a new joint filming and scientific research expedition. Sponsored by Jeep, "Cycle of Life" is the first such project in the Middle East. It's hoped the expeditions will raise environmental awareness in the region.
More than 235,000 business people visit the AMEInfo Business Directory every week - start growing your customer base today by listing your company details.
Al Hamra Mall within Al Hamra Village is set to open the very first VOX Cinemas in Ras Al Khaimah. Scheduled to open in Q4 this year, local movie buffs can...
Qatar is an oil-rich peninsula jutting out into the Gulf between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The majority of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats.