AME Info News - Executive Motoring

Mercedes sales up 18% in ME

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 06:50:00 GMT

Mercedes Benz sales rose 18% in the Middle East in the first 11 months of this year compared to the same period last year, Frank Bernthaler, director of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz in the Middle East and Levant, told Gulf News. Bernthaler said that sales reached 18,000 cars this year, in comparison to last year's 15,200 in the same period.
[AMEInfo.com]

UAE auto market tops in region

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:22:00 GMT

The UAE automotive market continues to outperform regional peers and is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, according to BMI's latest UAE Automotives Report. Car sales in the UAE rose by 37% year-on-year in the first half of the year, the highest growth among the markets of the Gulf. In a country where the cost of living is accelerating, the market will be increasingly price responsive, giving non-luxury brands potential for growth through their top-of-the-range models, which tend to be priced lower than their luxury brand equivalents. BMI expects price discounting in an increasingly competitive market, with the exchange rate set to determine demand, giving US manufactured vehicles an edge over European and Japanese rivals.
[AMEInfo.com]

Ford CEO will work for $1 per year to get loan

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:54:00 GMT

Ford's chief executive, Alan Mulally, yesterday pledged that he will work for an annual salary of one dollar if the struggling carmaker has to take government money as part of a $25bn bail-out of the US car industry. Mulally also vowed to sell Ford's fleet of corporate jets, cancel all next year's bonuses, close more plants, trim its dealer network and speed up work on developing electric vehicles in a bid to gain support from the US congress.

[AMEInfo.com]

VW Middle East launches personal configurator

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:34:00 GMT

Volkswagen Middle East is offering customers the ability to configure their vehicle with the launch of an Online Car Configurator, available on the Volkswagen Middle East website. The configurator will allow customers to select a model and choose from a range of options and trims to create their ideal Volkswagen car. Options include paint colour, engine size, upholstery, optional equipment, wheels, interior colours and packages. [AMEInfo.com]

Middle East important to GM sales

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:31:00 GMT

The Middle East - although only 2% of its global sales - now serves as the 'silver lining' of the beleaguered US car maker General Motors. GM sales in the UAE have been increasing by 13% year-on-year. Sales went up from 108,000 vehicles in the first 10 months of 2007 to 122,000 in the same period this year. [AMEInfo.com]

Emirates NBD launches new auto loans

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:49:00 GMT

Emirates NBD is to broaden its existing auto finance offerings with the launch of brand new auto loans packages, which provides Emirates NBD existing and potential customers with 'road-ready' loans. The new offering features complimentary Salik card, online Salik recharge, Road Transport Authority and Dubai police fine payments, annual car registration renewal service, roadside assistance, a free bank account, a free credit card for the first year and motor insurance with preferred pricing. [AMEInfo.com]

Audi ME sales up in October

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:11:00 GMT

Audi Middle East has said in a statement that its October sales results have increased to 42% over its 2007 performance in October and are 21% higher for 2008 overall, compared to the year before. According to a senior executive of the company, Audi switched to US dollar invoicing in 2006 as it looks into continued stability in prices as well as resale values. [AMEInfo.com]