Industry Developments

Egypt's largest car assembly firm, GB Auto, reported a 28% increase in net profit in 2010, despite a Q4 decline in the run up to the country's political protests. It is also optimistic... 2011-03-07

The Nigerian government is making a conscientious effort to support the auto industry while it recovers from the knock-on effects of the global downturn. In August it said that the... 2011-03-03

Japan's Nissan Motor is stepping up its activities in the Middle East by setting up a dedicated sales head office in Iraq. The country is increasingly attracting major carmakers as... 2011-03-03

Qatar has taken receipt of its first fully electric vehicle (EV), which could form an important part of the CO2 reduction projects under the Qatar National Vision 2030 programme. The... 2011-03-02

The Dubai Municipality has started the first phase of the conversion of its vehicle fleet to run on natural gas, becoming the first government department in Dubai to use compressed... 2011-02-23

BMI's view that volume brands will gain popularity in Gulf Co-operation Council markets has been supported by results from Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive distributor for Toyota Motor... 2011-02-22

Optimal Energy, the producer of South Africa's domestically developed electric vehicle (EV), the Joule, has approached companies in Asia to help with the project's funding. Although... 2011-02-21

Japan's Isuzu Motors will invest SAR500mn (US$133mn) in a new plant in Saudi Arabia. The facility will produce light and medium-duty trucks for the local and regional truck markets.... 2011-02-17

Better Place, which specialises in providing infrastructure and support for electric vehicle (EV) use, is preparing to have Israel's first electric cars on the road by the end of 2011.... 2011-02-15

Iranian carmaker Iran Khodro (IKCO) is continuing with plans to move production away from the capital, with news that its 10th plant will be in Semnan province. The company has a long-term... 2011-02-14