General News

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.

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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.

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To be shown at the upcoming CEATAC show in Japan, Nissan has developed a system designed for cars that could automatically avoid collisions, using ideas garnered from the natural abilities of bees.

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The forward-thinking nation of Bahrain is at it again. This time, some politician there wants to block foreign expats who make less than BD 500 (Dhs 4900) from applying for driving licences.

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American research firm J.D. Power and Associates has just released its 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study that measures vehicle quality in the first three years of owning a vehicle brand. The study also says that long-term vehicle quality has also improved 5% across the industry in 2008, with the industry average dropping 10 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles) down to 206 this year. Their full list is rather interesting.

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The current-generation Toyota RAV-4 has been mildly facelifted for the 2009 model year, as seen in these photos for the American version. Also new is an upgraded 4-cylinder engine.

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While dealer-owned service centres here get away with crappy service, dealer garages in other countries usually give you a free replacement car to drive around in while your own car is being serviced or fixed. In Europe, Ferrari has chosen the Fiat 500 as its courtesy car for local customers. About 200 special Fiat 500 units have been manufactured exclusively for the Ferrari sales network all over Europe.

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The all-mighty Road & Transport Authority has now benevolently lifted the ban on carpooling, to allow the humble residents of Dubai to share rides to work with co-workers. But first, you have to take their permission by applying for a piece of paper that will give you limited rights on who you are allowed to transport.

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The 2009 Kia Sportage will be the recipient of a minor facelift. It is due to be launched soon, unless it is already in local showrooms and we were not told about it. Incidentally, this new version has already been on sale in China for a while now.

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