The soon-to-be-implemented rule banning 20-year-old cars in the Emirates was overturned today by none other than Sheikh Khalifa, president of the UAE. It is just as well, considering the economic problems that are setting in, and new car purchases are the first thing that went down.
In what amounts to a restriction of personal freedom for people of limited income, UAE’s Sharjah traffic agencies have enacted a ban on issuing driving licences for people in jobs that fall in 100 categories. According to Gulf News, the ban will affect nurses, cooks, carpenters, housemaids, watchmen, tailors, cafeteria waiters, unskilled labourers, gardeners and bakers, among others. The paper confirmed that only Sharjah is implementing the rule.
Few of our readers hinted that a V6-powered Mazda 6 was coming to Dubai. Then reader Ajmal tells me the UAE dealer for Mazda, Galadari Automobiles, will be launching the new car on December 15th of this year. In an interesting move, this V6 model will be the larger American-built version of the Mazda 6.
The latest generation of the Mini convertible will finally be released at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The new-for-2009 model will of course be based on the second-generation Mini Cooper that was launched in 2007.
Lexus unveiled the all-new 2010 RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The RX supposedly pioneered the car-based luxury SUV segment when it launched in 1998 for he American market. The new model continues that old formula almost exactly.
A couple of weeks ago, Ford Middle East invited us to a two-night all-expenses-paid stay at the Fujairah Rotana resort for the Ford “Ride & Drive” event. The event was designed to give the press some wheel-time with new models such as Ford’s Flex, Fusion and Focus as well as the Mercury Mariner.
As more information of the Porsche Panamera GT trickles out, it is now known that the car will hit European showrooms by the summer of 2009, likely badged as a 2010 model in most markets. The initial launch will only include the Panamera S and the Panamera Turbo models, with a V6 and a hybrid joining the range later. Expect a GCC launch sometime later next year.
Having spotted a fresh-looking Toyota Innova on the roads, I realised that the 2009 model has received a facelift and quietly released in Dubai. Not that anyone cares, but it remains a spacious family alternative to cramped 4WDs.
An outfit called Scuderia 250, touted to be the Middle East’s first exclusive supercar club, will be launched in December this year, with operations beginning early next year. It is not a club in the traditional sense, but more like you pay a huge membership fee, and then gain access to a fleet of exotic cars for brief periods of time, for personal use.
The all-new Mazda 3 has been revealed at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. So far, it looks like it will be called a 2010 model in America, although European markets will call it a 2009. The sedan was shown at the L.A. show, while photos of the hatchback have just been released. A UAE release should happen by early next year.