AMEinfo.com News - Executive Motoring

Abu Dhabi Motors reports Rolls-Royce sales increase

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:42:04 GMT

Abu Dhabi Motors, the Rolls-Royce dealer in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has reported a 310% surge in Rolls-Royce sales during the period between January and November 2010, compared to the same period last year. The dealer has also retained its position as the number one importer for Roll-Royce Motor Cars in the region and has accomplished the second highest volume sales worldwide for Rolls-Royce Motors in the same period. [AMEInfo.com]

Iran-Khodro to sell second national car from next September

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:38:44 GMT

Iran-Khodro Co (IKCO) has announced its second national car, Runna, is scheduled to go on sale next September, Fars news agency has reported. "We predict to produce and market up to 20,000 Runnas in the next Iranian calendar year starting March 21, 2011," IKCO vice president for quality and product development Soleimani said. Samand was the first national car designed, produced and introduced to the Iranian and foreign markets by IKCO. [AMEInfo.com]

Qatar warns car dealers to lower prices

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:46:10 GMT

Car dealers in Qatar have been warned by the ministry of business and trade to bring prices down to the same levels as those in other GCC states, the Peninsula has reported. The ministry also said that after-sales services and maintenance of vehicles in the country are expensive and asked dealers to make them more affordable. Referring to car dealerships as monopolies, prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani warned that if automobile dealers did not reduce car prices the government would take appropriate steps, including stripping them of their dealerships. [AMEInfo.com]

Iran-Khodro to launch fuel efficient cars

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:11:24 GMT

Iran-Khodro Co (IKCO) is to introduce fuel efficient cars to the Iranian market in line with the implementation of the targeted-subsidies plan which put an end to the heavily subsidised gas prices in the country, Fars news agency has reported. The company will increase the production of two fuel efficient engines (EF7 and TU5) to outfit 75% of its products next year. IKCO aims to boost the emission standard accommodation of the engines to Euro IV and V and cut down their consumption to an average of 7l/100km. [AMEInfo.com]

Honda unveils 2011 Accord in GCC

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:59:43 GMT

Honda has announced the new 2011 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe are now available to customers in the GCC region. The 2011 Accord features new optional new technologies including Navigation System, i-Dual Zone Automatic Air-conditioner, Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone (HFT) and rear view camera. Engine options include a 178bhp, 2.4-liter, i-VTEC, 4-cylinder engine and a 271bhpo, 3.5-liter, i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. [AMEInfo.com]

New BMW 6 series to debut in Mideast in March

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:17:02 GMT

BMW Middle East has announced the new BMW 6 Series Convertible model is to debut in the Middle East in March next year and will be followed by the Coupé edition in the second half of 2011. The new BMW 6 Series Convertible will be available in the Middle East with two engine variants: 650i and 640i, which offer more power and more fuel efficiency than their predecessors. The eight-cylinder power unit in the BMW 650i Convertible produces 407 hp, meanwhile the BMW 640i Convertible generates 320 hp. Both engines come with BMW TwinPower Turbo power, direct fuel injection and Valvetronic technologies team up as standard with an eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox. [AMEInfo.com]

Rolls Royce to open office in UAE

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:15:36 GMT

Rolls-Royce Motors has announced plans to set up an office for the region, which will be headquartered in the UAE. The move is driven by a surge of more than 160% in sales in the Middle East in the last 10 months of the year, the luxury car maker said. [AMEInfo.com]

GapCorp signs Volkswagen extended warranty deal

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 05:25:33 GMT

International and local extended warranty provider, GapCorp has signed an agreement with Volkswagen Financial Services - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group - to provide third party administration and claims handling for extended warranty across the Middle East. With this agreement, the extended warranty will launch across the region, covering all mechanical and electrical components for an unlimited mileage up to five years. [AMEInfo.com]

New Peugeot 3008 on sale in UAE

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:37:50 GMT

Swaidan Trading Co, the authorized dealer for Peugeot in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, has said the new Peugeot 3008 is now available to customers in the country. Marking the entry of the French carmaker into the crossover segment, the new 3008 features heads-up display, a full-length panoramic glass-roof, automatic electric parking brake and hill assist among others. The Crossover is equipped with a 156bhp turbo engine, 6-Speed Tip-Tronic transmission, dual auto climate control AC with rear and floor AC ducts for 2nd row, ABS/ESP, rear parking assistance, Bluetooth, I-Pod and USB drive input, fully folding front passenger seat, auto headlights and rain sensors and foldable side view mirrors. [AMEInfo.com]

Zubair Automotive launches Mitsubishi 2011 ASX Crossover in Oman

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 05:14:30 GMT

Zubair Automotive, the exclusive dealer of Mitsubishi in Oman, has unveiled the two-wheel version of Mitsubishi's all-new 2011 ASX Crossover. The on-road version is powered by a 2.0-litre Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control (MiVEC) engine that develops 150PS and is combined with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) 6-speed gearbox, offering maximum torque of 197nM at 4200 rpm with a top speed of 190km/hour. [AMEInfo.com]

Talks end for Egypt's GB Auto and Tata Motors

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 06:21:03 GMT

Egypt-based automobile assembler, GB Auto has ended talks with Tata Motors over selling the Indian group's vehicles in the Arab world's most populous market, as 'priorities differed' during the negotiations, Reuters has reported. GB Auto manufactures, assembles, imports and distributes vehicles for Bajaj Auto Ltd, Hyundai Motor Co, Mazda Motor Corp, Mitsubishi Motors and Volvo AB. [AMEInfo.com]

Iran produces a million cars in eight months

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:29:48 GMT

Iran has crossed the one million car production mark in the 8-month period since the Iranian New Year (March 21), a 17.8% increase compared to the same period last year, Mehr news has reported. During the Iranian month of Aban (October 21 - November 21) the country's auto industry produced 151,533 vehicles, up 14.5% from the year before. [AMEInfo.com]

Nissan and Mitsubishi announce deal and target Middle East market

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:40:52 GMT

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors have announced a deal that will see Nissan providing a light van and wagon to Mitsubishi in Japan, which would in turn make a sports utility vehicle (SUV) for its partner to sell in the Middle East, AFP has reported. The deal supports Nissan's expansion in emerging markets, and meets immediate capacity needs overseas, Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn said. [AMEInfo.com]

Jaguar Land Rover authorises new dealer in Saudi

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:24:20 GMT

Jaguar Land Rover has appointed Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors as the new authorised dealer for Jaguar, Range Rover and Land Rover in Saudi Arabia. The group will handle all Jaguar, Range Rover and Land Rover new car sales and after-sales through its three new showrooms in Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar. [AMEInfo.com]

2011 Corvette Coupe arrives in Middle East

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:22:05 GMT

Chevrolet Middle East has announced that 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe and Grand Sport have arrived in showrooms in the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE. The two upgraded Corvettes have audio system with navigation, USB port and Bose premium speakers as standard and have new exterior colours; Inferno Orange and Supersonic Blue. The two new models are equipped with 6.2-litre V-8 engine, rated at 430bhp and 575Nm of torque with the standard exhaust system. [AMEInfo.com]

Mercedes dealer offers certified pre-owned programme in Kuwait

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 03:33:34 GMT

Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi, the authorized distributor of Mercedes Benz in Kuwait, has launched an online service offering new certified pre-owned cars under the 'ProvenExclusivity' programme. The new website includes a wide collection of pre-owned Mercedes-Benz cars, which are registered with Mercedes-Benz Net, the global Mercedes registration system which checks chassis numbers, service and car repair history. [AMEInfo.com]

Ford adds Figo to Middle East line-up

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 05:23:50 GMT

Ford Middle East has said that its latest addition to the company's passenger car line-up, the new Ford Figo, is aimed at introducing a smart and affordable sub-compact car to retail and fleet customers. Unveiled at the Riyadh Motorshow last week, the Figo offers two engines for the Middle East market; the 1.4L (80ps) Petrol Duratec equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, and the 1.6L (101ps) Petrol Duratec paired with a 5-speed automatic. [AMEInfo.com]

Lincoln MKX launches 2011 edition in UAE

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 07:01:28 GMT

US-based car maker, Ford has said the 2011 Lincoln MKX mid-size luxury crossover has made its UAE debut at the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show 2010. Powertrain enhancements the new crossover has received include a new 3.7-liter Duratec V-6 engine, delivering best-in-class 305bhp and 280 ft.-lb of torque. It also boasts Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, and Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler System. [AMEInfo.com]

Ferrari unveils 458 Italia and California in Abu Dhabi

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 05:30:09 GMT

Premier Motors, the official Ferrari dealer in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has unveiled the 458 Italia and the Ferrari California at the Abu Dhabi International Motorshow. The Ferrari 458 Italia is a two-seater berlinetta with a mid-rear mounted 4,499 cc V8 engine 570bhp, coupled to an F1 dual-clutch gearbox. It boasts an extraordinary weight-power ratio of 2.42 kg, propelling the car from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds, and a maximum speed of over 325 km/h. [AMEInfo.com]

Fiat 500 Cabriolet launches in UAE

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 05:40:07 GMT

National Auto, the official Fiat distributor for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, has announced the iconic Fiat 500 Cabriolet is now available to customers in the UAE. The Fiat 500 Convertible features a responsive, fuel-efficient 1.4 litre 16V engine that delivers 100bhp and a 5-speed dual logic transmission. [AMEInfo.com]

Western Motors launches Jeep Grand Cherokee in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:20:49 GMT

Western Motors, the general distributor for Jeep in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has unveiled the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The new SUV is available with a V-8 Hemi engine or the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. The Pentastar engine features Variable-Valve-Timing (VVT) and delivers 286bhp with more than 10% improvement in fuel consumption. [AMEInfo.com]

Ford expects 30% increase in vehicle sales across Middle East

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:20:30 GMT

Ford Middle East has expects its car sales across the GCC markets for this year to close with a 30% increase compared to 2009. Passenger cars led the growth, with sales up 33% region-wide based on preliminary 11-month figures and forecasts to year end, led by the Taurus, Fusion and Focus models. The Saudi Arabian market saw the highest growth in the region with a 40% increase in Ford and Lincoln sales. [AMEInfo.com]

McLaren sports car launches in UAE

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:35:31 GMT

McLaren's first sports car, the MP4-12C, has been launched in the UAE, shortly after its first regional debut in Bahrain, Gulf News has reported. Al Habtoor Motors, the UAE dealer for McLaren has already received 20 local orders, which represent 50% of the allocation for the country. The dealer is in talks to launch new showrooms in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. [AMEInfo.com]

Nissan unveils 2011 Nissan GT-R

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:35:08 GMT

Nissan has unveiled an enhanced 2011 Nissan GT-R in Japan and said the revamped model is to be available in the Middle East region from the second quarter of 2011. Nissan Middle East also said it will simultaneously launch a new luxury specification GT-R "VVIP" edition to customers in the region, offering a high degree of personalisation and extra feature content. The new GT-R features improved engine output and torque, greater fuel efficiency, revised handling, a refreshed exterior with improved aerodynamics, revised interior treatment and new wheels and tires. [AMEInfo.com]

Mercedes-Benz R Class launched in Qatar

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 05:16:02 GMT

Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Automobiles, the exclusive dealer of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, has launched the 2011 face-lifted R-Class. The upgraded Chrome, Sports or AMG models come with three engines options. The 6-cylinder engines with 4-valve technology in the R300 and R350 4MATIC offer a maximum torque of 300 and 350 Nm, respectively. The R-Class 8-cylinder R 500 4MATIC engine provides high performance potential together with lower consumption and reduced emissions. [AMEInfo.com]