Industry Developments

US carmaker General Motors and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have reached an agreement under which GM hybrid vehicles will be trialled for use in the Middle East.... 2007-11-16

Al Masaood Automobiles, the exclusive dealer for Nissan and its premium Infiniti brand in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has registered double-digit growth in the first nine months of 2007,... 2007-10-22

Mercedes-Benz sales are set to grow by 20% this year, according to the carmaker's official distributor in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Gargash Enterprises has set a target of... 2007-08-22

Turkey's largest autos manufacturer Ford Otosan has recorded a 7% y-o-y drop in net profits to TRY203.3mn (US$158mn) in the first half of 2007. The drop came despite a 7% rise in... 2007-08-21

The South African automotive industry is being undermined by the government's delays in the publication of its revised Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP), according to the... 2007-08-20

Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer Isuzu has launched the latest version of its D-Max pick-up truck in Saudi Arabia, following a 48% increase in sales of the model in 2006.... 2007-07-02

Japan's Honda plans to address a supply deficit in Europe by expanding its Turkish unit to become a regional production and export base. According to Honda chairman Takeo Fukuki,... 2007-06-27

German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN is looking to raise its profile in the Middle East, following the opening of a new regional base in Dubai. MAN House Dubai will oversee... 2007-06-26

Italian carmaker Fiat has reached an agreement with its Turkish partner Tofas to produce a replacement for the Fiat Doblo van in Bursa, Turkey. The US$500mn project will involve research... 2007-06-25

The latest manufacturer to put its weight behind the push for genuine parts and after-sales services in the Middle East is Volkswagen. The German company's Saudi Arabian agent SAMACO... 2007-06-21