Renault has launched the new Latitude midsize sedan model in its continuing bid to become more mainstream rather than quirky. The Latitude’s world debut was at the 2010 Moscow Auto Show, and will be built in Russia for their local market, but the car is already on sale in Korea as the Samsung SM5, and it is this Korean one that will probably make it to the GCC eventually as a replacement for the Renault Safrane.
For better or worse, the new 2011 Renault Fluence is now officially available for sale in the GCC, having been advertised in UAE newspapers for weeks now.
European vehicle manufacturer Renault is continuing to build upon its range of GCC available models and is expanding its dealership network across the region, despite first half figures that reveal mixed fortunes for the motor industry.
Arabian Automobiles, the exclusive dealer for Nissan, Infiniti and Renault in Dubai and the Northern Emirates is enhancing its services with the introduction of Extended Warranty and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance to its customer base in the UAE.
AWR Trading, part of the AW Rostamani Group, has signed an agreement with Platin Battery to be the sole distributors of their products in the UAE. Platin Battery is the export brand of Yigit Aku A. S., a leading battery manufacturer established in Turkey in 1976.
In an ill-conceived advertising campaign that is already drawing flak from our readers, Arabian Automobiles, part of the AW Rostamani Group has launched its “Unbeatable 5” offer. Arabian Automobiles is the exclusive dealer for Nissan, Infiniti and Renault in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain.
This Renault Megane R26.R is a track-ready version of the Megane F1 Team R26 on sale in the GCC. The R26.R will only be available in Europe, and it uses weight-savings to become the quickest compact hatchback to lap the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany.
Renault Middle East sent us news that they will launch a new midsize sedan in the GCC during September. They even sent us a teaser photo of the unnamed car, showing only a tail-light. That was enough for me to figure out that the car will be a rebadged version of the Korean-built Nissan-derived Samsung SM5.
The Romanian-built Dacia Logan was launched in 2004, under the ownership of Renault, as an ultra-cheap car for Eastern Europe, which later became a hit in places like Brazil, Iran and even Western Europe. Renault even showed off the car, badged as a Renault Logan, at the 2007 Dubai Motor Show, but we never heard any more about it after that. We believe Renault’s GCC operations are seriously considering bringing this car here, although it would end up competing with their own outdated Clio Classic. Before it could even make it here, the original European version has been given a facelift.