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.
One of our readers sent in photos of yet another car that went up in flames in the UAE for no apparent reason. It seems to be becoming a common occurence, and is simply being blamed on heat and bad maintenance. While some cases have been due to age or bad stereo installations, others can simply be attributed to the source of the cars. Take this Jeep, for example. I also drive a Jeep, but mine is a GCC-spec version with full service history. The one in the photo is not.
Al-Futtaim Automotive, the UAE’s largest car distributor, today announced it is offering a unique free redundancy cover on purchases from all their volume brands which will provide a further confidence boost for those currently delaying a vehicle purchase due to job security concerns.
The Middle East’s largest exhibition for auto aftermarket opens from May 31 – June 2 of 2009, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. 966 exhibitors from 46 countries will showcase their products in eight halls.
While we never got to drive it for stupid reasons, the 2009 BMW M3 Coupé continues its development. It is going to be offered in special versions under the “M3 Edition Models” banner, offering a choice of four customised cars.
It was one of those rare times when I actually looked forward to those long usually-boring press driving events. General Motors Middle East imported ten new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro models to Dubai for the UAE and GCC press launch, and we were among the second bunch of people to drive them, after the “big” magazine people had their fill the day before, but as I saw later, the cars still generated lots of interest on the roads.
BMW’s Dubai dealerships are now offering the all-new GCC-spec 2009 BMW Z4. The new model comes with three engine choices and a standard folding hard-top convertible roof, while also moving up a class in the roadster market.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. In this case, it is for the benefit of car enthusiasts. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, a car that originally retailed for more than Dhs 180,000 in the UAE, has gone through two discounts to come down to Dhs 150,000 now. And now the dealer is offering the choice of a further Dhs 5,000 discount or, interestingly enough, a 330 hp engine power upgrade.
The 2009 Infiniti G37 sedan is finally on sale in the UAE and other GCC countries. While it looks exactly the same as the outgoing G35, it receives a new engine and auto gearbox this year.
Last year, I got my Jeep detailed at Yellow Hat in Dubai’s Times Square Mall. While I obviously had it done for free as part of our partnership, the full-detail job actually costs a relatively-low Dhs 750, including the exterior, interior and engine. I was always interested in seeing what they had to offer for this low price.