Daimler AG and its new major shareholder Aabar Investments PJSC of Abu Dhabi, have started their first joint strategic project with the sale by Daimler of 40% of its equity interest in Tesla Motors to Aabar.
The overall winner of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup will be crowned in the Middle East. For the 2009 season finale, the world’s fastest international brand trophy series will race as support to Formula 1 on the new Yas Island Grand Prix circuit in Abu Dhabi and celebrates its premiere in the United Arab Emirates with two races on 31st October and 1st November.
Some have accused us of being behind in news. And they’d be right. We’d prefer to be first in local automotive news, but are constantly left out of the loop by the local offices of car companies because, you know, no one uses the internet to look at cars. Take, for instance, the Lexus IS 300 C. Apparently the convertible version of the IS 300 sedan has been launched in the UAE, while all the local magazines have already test-driven it. And here we are, just hearing about the GCC version for the first time in those very magazines.
The production-version Nissan GT-R SpecV made its first official public appearance at some event called the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, which ran from July 3rd to the 5th. Nissan’s Dubai office says that the GCC version of the GT-R SpecV will make its UAE debut in early 2010.
Although the effects of the financial crisis have forced consumers to think twice about vehicle purchases in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Motors continues to allegedly achieve sales growth through attractive added-value packages that place customers’ needs first. The exclusive importer of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has extended the service inclusive period and mileage coverage of its popular BMW Service Inclusive Ultimate package, which now offers up to 6 years or 150,000kms free servicing, repairs and maintenance for the new BMW 7 Series.
Volkswagen Middle East is offering Volkswagen car owners free vehicle check-ups by its Service Clinic experts regardless of the model or the year of the car. Volkswagen Middle East aims to rotate the Service Clinic now every year across all 11 markets it covers in the region providing visual check-ups and diagnosis for all models. Every unfortunate VW owner having regular problems with their car should visit the clinic.
The top banks continue to recognize the value of Mitsubishi Pajero as the leading SUV in the U.A.E. Recently, the key players in the finance sector tied up with Al Habtoor Motors to support a special Mitsubishi Pajero promotion.
When my friend, who is looking for a new car, told me that Toyota was offering a 2009 Toyota Camry Sport for only Dhs 65,000 in Abu Dhabi, I figured he was hallucinating. However, he described to me what a Camry Sport is, and it seemed even more unbelievably stupid.
A stunning drive from Sheikh Khaled Al Qassimi and his co-driver Michael Orr was rewarded at the Acropolis Rally of Greece with their best ever finish in a WRC event. Sixth place for the Emirati ace is a remarkable achievement for someone who is only competing in his second WRC season.
Road safety and in particular, the use of seatbelts is to be the main theme presented by the Emirates Driving Institute, when it attends Barbican Turbo – the Middle East’s custom, tuning and motorsports festival organised by United Business Media from the 8th – 10th of October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi in the UAE.