Interviews

Audio interview with Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative for Toyota Middle East & North Africa, who took over the top job at Toyota’s local office recently. Topics include local Toyota sales figures, huge growth in Lexus sales, upcoming fuel-cell production cars, the fate of the FJ Cruiser and Land Cruiser, the new Camry, and possible future sports cars in partnership with BMW, as well as an admission that their cars were boring and how they are changing that.

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Audio interview with Jack Rodencal, Managing Director of Chrysler Middle East. Topics include the rejuvenation of Chrysler, the partnership with Fiat, the Dodge police package offerings and their Middle East operation.

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Audio interview with Sadayoshi Koyari, the Chief Engineer for the Land Cruiser at Toyota Japan. Topics include the new features of the 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser, the research that went into it, and what to expect from the next-generation model.

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Video interview with Keiichi Yoneda, Deputy Chief Engineer for the 2012 Camry in the Product Planning Group at Toyota in Japan. Topics include development of the Toyota Camry, concessions made for the GCC version, and how it stacks up compared to the competition.

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Casual video interview with Simon Frith, the Managing Director of Al Futtaim Motors, the UAE dealer for Toyota. Topics include the Toyota Zelas launch during the 2010 Abu Dhabi Motor Show, the FT-86 launch date, the rising prices, the best sellers and the surprising sales figures for the Toyota Land Cruiser range.

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Audio interview with Ian Callum, the Design Director for Jaguar. Topics include the rejuvenation of Jaguar, the creation of the all-new XJ, and the firm’s obsession with cats.

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Audio interview with Dr. Mazen Hammoud, the Powertrain Calibration Manager for the new EcoBoost range of turbo engines. Topics include the new Ford Taurus SHO, the advantages of the EcoBoost engines, and possible uses in the future.

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Audio interview with S.K. Ahmad, the Marketing & Business Development Manager of Al Majid Motors, the UAE dealer for Kia. Topics include the company’s new models such as the Cadenza and the Sorento, as well as their future plans for the local market.

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Audio interview with K.C. Hu, the CEO of Luxgen, the new automotive brand out of Taiwan. Topics include the company’s new models, such as the MPV and the SUV, and their market positioning as a high-tech entry-level luxury choice, as well as the company’s background and future plans.

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Audio interview with Mark Kass, the newly-appointed managing director for the Honda division within Al Futtaim Automotive in the UAE. Topics include the company’s new focus on customer service as well as new models such as the Honda Civic hatchback, Civic Type-R and Accord Crosstour.

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