Kia Motors Corporation announced today its global sales figures for passenger cars (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants), recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for 2009 which reached an all-time high of 1,651,920 units sold, cementing Kia’s position as one of the world’s fasting growing automakers. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 20.1%.
BMW Group Middle East has ended 2009 with a moderate 9% decrease in sales compared to 2008. Despite the premium automotive sector being down 25%, the BMW brand managed to gain a 4% increase in market share against its core competitors.
A record number of nine Aston Martins have entered the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai which takes place on 15/16 January 2010.
The Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) has confirmed that the route for next month’s Saudi Arabia Ha’il Baja will feature minor changes and improvements, but is based upon the successful format that was so well received by competitors in 2009.
A former winner of the 24 Heures du Mans will take part in Dubai’s premier endurance race this weekend as part of a three-car Ginetta team.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), has announced his support for the 2010 Gulf Bike Expo. Following the success of the inaugural bike exhibition and festival earlier in 2009, of which he was also a patron, Mohammed Ben Sulayem will resume his role for next year’s show.
The Gulf Bike Festival is the Middle East’s only dedicated Bike Festival, running over three days from February 4th – February 6th 2010. Tickets start at Dhs 40 for a day pass.
Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, the defending FIA Middle East Rally Champion, will kick start his challenge for a seventh regional title in eight years at the wheel of a new M-Sport-built Ford Fiesta S2000 in the 2010 Qtel Qatar International Rally.
Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal will head for Abu Dhabi next month carrying a big advantage in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East after scoring his second race victory in 24 hours and his third in four rounds today.
Kia Motors returns to the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which opens today (7 January), to showcase seven new and advanced infotainment technologies, including the all-new ‘UVO’ system co-developed with Microsoft that will appear in future Kia vehicles.