Porsche held multiple events over the weekend to launch the refreshed 2009 911 range in various GCC countries. Attending the Dubai press event, I saw the new version, and had a hard time picking out differences from the older version. However, most of the changes were under the skin.
Our buddies at AutoMiddleEast report that the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse will hit the streets of Dubai soon. In fact, their editor has gone on a press trip to Japan for a drive on a track, as Mitsubishi secretly starts promoting the Eclipse as well as the Lancer Ralliart before their imminent GCC launch.
The soft-top Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport was launched at a press event today in Dubai. I already reported on it before, so look it up for details. But I learned a few new things.
At a recent press conference, Nissan and Al Dahana have announced the establishment of a joint venture company called Nissan Gulf FZCO (NGF), to “enhance Nissan’s marketing and sales strategy in key GCC markets and introduce a fully fledged financial services platform through all Middle East and North African countries.” Nissan Gulf plans to sell 160,000 vehicles a year by 2012, in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Bahrain. These four markets will represent more than 40 percent of Nissan sales in the region by 2012.
Just when you thought that nothing can defeat Godzilla, problems start to arise from within itself. The insanely-capable Nissan GT-R, already on sale in the United States officially, is being undone by transmission failures, according to the American Nissan GT-R Owners Club. A member of the club says his GT-R suffered from odd noises, and took it in for servicing. Nissan USA told him it needs a new automanual gearbox for US$ 20,000, and it won’t be covered under warranty.
Land Rover has been enrolling its customers in Britain to pay a certain amount to offset the pollution that their thirsty vehicles are going to cause up to 72,000 km. The monetary amount, calculated according to the amount of carbon dioxide released, is used by an organisation called ClimateCare in charitable activities around the world, aimed at reducing overall worldwide pollution. Land Rover has now decided to offer the programme to Middle East customers, except that it is included in the price of the vehicle as standard.
The 2010 Mazda 3 is due to be unveiled on November 19 at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. However, the internet beats all else again, and first images of the new car are out in the open.
I’ve been thinking of adding long-term car ownership reports ever since I started this website. However, back in 2004, I only owned one (old!) car, and the car companies totally rejected the idea, especially since I was a nobody then (and I still am a nobody, but slightly less so). However, it seems local rags CAR ME and Wheels have convinced some agencies to hand them free cars for months on end. Their rosy updates and choice of cars are different from what I had in mind, so I am now trying again to secure a car for a long-term test,
I am feeling a bit depressed right now. I value my cars as much as people value their family jewelry. But thanks to some new laws coming soon, the value of my decent 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 AMG dropped as low as the price of my new mobile phone. It is the ultimate slap in the face for me, as it was my first car, bought in 2004 with my own earnings back in college, when every other kid on campus had a brand new car gifted by daddy. I can only drive it for two more years before it is scrapped,
Just when you thought Audi couldn’t do any worse, the VW-owned German manufacturer is now planning to release a subcompact hatchback called the Audi A1 Sportback. Currently only shown in concept form at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, the A1 wants to take aim at the Mini, but will most likely become known as an overpriced Yaris competitor.