Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, driving a BMW, clinched the opening stage of the 2009 Dakar Rally on Saturday as defending champions Mitsubishi struggled.

Nasser Al-Attiyah

Al-Attiyah, the reigning world rally-raid champion, dominated the 371km special stage from Buenos Aires, winning in a time of 2hr 36min 15sec.

Volkswagen filled the next three places with former world rally champion Carlos Sainz (2min 17sec off the pace) taking second, South Africa’s Giniel De Villiers (2:40) in third and Mark Miller of the United States (4:21) in fourth.

“I’m delighted to start with a stage victory. It was a fairly easy route, but still quite fast. However, it didn’t feel like I had to push it to the limit during the race,” said Al-Attiyah.

“I wanted to control my speed, especially in the part where we overtook plenty of bikes, because there was a lot of dust.

“It was a satisfying day, because I see that I’ve finished 2.17 in front of Carlos. This proves that the car, which is totally different from last year, with a new chassis, is performing excellently.”

Sainz, who won the Rally of Argentina twice, admitted the dust was a problem.

“After 110km, already I was catching up with the bikes. It was difficult to overtake because of the dust. All I saw was dust for 250 kilometres,” said the Spaniard. “There was so much that I didn’t even see the Pampas.”

Luc Alphand, the 2006 champion, was the best-placed Mitsubishi driver in fifth place (4:44) while his French compatriot, and defending champion Stephane Peterhansel, was sixth (4:54).

Peterhansel is bidding for a 10th crown to add to his six on a motorcycle and three in a car. He won the Dakar in 2007, the last time the gruelling event was staged.

But the 2008 edition was cancelled at the last moment after the murder of four French tourists in Mauritania by Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, an act that prompted race organisers to switch the Dakar to Argentina and Chile, 7,000km away from the Senegalese capital.

Japan’s Hiroshi Masuoka, the 2002 and 2003 champion, endured a miserable opening day after experiencing engine problems with his Mitsubishi.

Spain’s Marc Coma of KTM won the opening motorcycle stage while fellow KTM rider Cyril Despres, who won the event in 2005 and 2007, lost 41min 18sec on his rival after suffering a puncture.

“The problem with this special was the distance,” said Coma. “I paced myself, waiting for the moment. On this route, there was little work to do with the bike, so I tried to ride my race to avoid problems.

“I saw that Despres had problems with his back wheel after filling up at control point two. After that, I tried to open up the gap.”

This year’s race, which ends in Buenos Aires on January 17, features 540 competitors from 50 countries and covers 9,000 kilometres spread over 13 stages - three in Chile and 10 in Argentina.

Sunday’s second stage runs from Santa Rosa to Puerto Madryn with a 237km special.

Source: SANTA ROSA, Argentina (AFP)

An interesting report by the LA Times shows Japanese cars are what American car shoppers research when deciding what to buy. On the top twenty list from Kelley’s Blue Book, only three American models made the list: the Ford Escape (#12), the Ford Mustang (#16), and the Chevrolet Malibu (#17). This compares to fifteen models on the list from Japanese makers Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. 2008 is the fifth year that the Honda Civic, Accord, and the Toyota Camry occupied the top three spots on the list.

View the list below, and discuss it on our Forum.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/
Dec. 27, 2008

1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Accord
3. Toyota Camry
4. Toyota Corolla
5. Nissan Altima
6. Honda CR-V
7. Toyota Prius
8. Toyota Highlander
9. Toyota RAV4
10. Mazda3
11. Toyota Yaris
12. Ford Escape
13. Honda Odyssey
14. Honda Pilot
15. Honda Fit
16. Ford Mustang
17. Chevrolet Malibu
18. Toyota Sienna
19. Mini Cooper
20. Volkswagen Jetta

Among the swarms of Land Cruisers in the Gulf are several models of the Supercar variety. The list below is from Britain’s Top Gear. You gotta love their wit. We haven’t seen all the supercars on the list yet here in Doha, but surely most of them can be found. Visit our Forum.

From http://www.topgear.com/
Dec. 23, 2008

2008 was a good year for supercars. A very good year, in fact. From four-door Lambos to American muscle that actually goes round corners, we’ve been treated to a whole bunch of insanely fast, insanely expensive metal that proves the supercar is far from on its last legs. In fact, it’s healthier than ever.

Audi R8 V10: Audi’s brilliant supercar gets the big V10 out of the Gallardo. Let the sibling rivalry commence…

We launched a new section of our website this month titled “Car Values”, with pricing information for more than thirty different model vehicles in Doha. This is to keep in line with our goal of helping expats and locals make sense of the market in Qatar. Users can view data for vehicles going back to the year 2002.

The pricing information is derived from private sale car values in the USA. Although not precise to Doha, we consider this information reliable as the US car market is quite large and considerably more stable than that in Doha.

We will eventually expand to more makes and models to more fully represent the selection available in Qatar. If there is any model you need information for, or if you would like to discuss the topic, please visit our Forum.

TEYSEER Motors, the sole distributor for Suzuki vehicles in Qatar, posted an impressive 15% sales growth in the first half of 2008 over the same period in the previous year.

Teyseer Motors’ strong performance reflected the positive image of Suzuki in the booming Middle Eastern automotive market, an official said.

Suzuki’s Grand Vitara compact utility vehicle, Swift, and APV family van were the best sellers for the company in Qatar.

Teyseer Motors, meanwhile, opened a new showroom for the commercial segment of the APV. The distributor is also set to open an additional service centre dedicated to Suzuki customers and has deployed an ‘Autosoft’ workshop management system to enhance service capabilities.

“The robust sales of Suzuki vehicles across Qatar affirm the appeal of the brand to the domestic market. Given today’s challenging financial conditions, local automobile owners want models that are economic, reliable and stylish and at the same time capable of adapting to Qatar’s unique driving environment,” Teyseer Motors GM Medhat Greiss said.

The distributor aims to focus more on bulk and fleet deals in the near future, the official added.
The company has also conducted various marketing campaigns including a summer promotion offering free petrol cards, shopping vouchers, maintenance and registration; a special pricing scheme for Swift and Grand Vitara models as part of a promotion by Al Sulaiman Travels; and participation in high-profile local events.

Currently the distributor is offering free maintenance and registration as well as attractive prices for 2008 models.

Earlier this year, Suzuki incorporated key modifications to its 2008 Grand Vitara to enhance the SUV’s overall performance, looks and comfort.

One of the significant changes to the Grand Vitara was the newly-designed petrol engines: the latest version of the SUV is powered by a choice of 2.4l four-cylinder and 3.2l V6 petrol engines.

Source: Gulf Times

THOUGH the economic crisis has people worried the world over, Qatar residents, especially Qataris, feel it won’t hit them heavily and are not curbing their spending on luxuries, for instance on premium cars.

A Gulf Times survey of visitors at the recent Privatdrive Supercar Show, Qatar’s first event of its kind, revealed not only that most of the respondents already owned luxury cars but also looked forward to buying new ones.

“I own a Mercedes CL 2007, but I am interested in getting a Bugatti,” declared 21 year-old Mohamed al-Habibi, a Qatari, while eyeing the $1mn plus beauty on show at The Pearl-Qatar’s boardwalk.
Ali al-Salihi, 28, the proud owner of a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Range Rover Sport 2009, was keen on getting his hands on an Aston Martin.

“As a Qatari banker I have some apprehensions about the global financial downturn, but I think Qatar should do fine and we are relatively safe here,” he observed. The auto lover agreed that cost is a factor when considering a new car. “I am hoping to negotiate a lower price,” he said.

Hamed, 31, who has a new Range Rover and has owned other luxury cars, stated he was on the lookout for ‘more’. “Cost is an important factor, but I am more interested in the brand, power and quality of a car,” he explained before agreeing that everyone is worried about the financial turmoil. “I just hope that Qatar and the Gulf are not too badly affected,” Hamed said.

Aboud Hanna, a newcomer to the country, was not buying a premium car now. “But, I have done in the past,” quipped the 41 year-old. Monitoring the situation at the moment, Hanna, who has lived in Dubai previously, would wait to see how the economic situation affects car prices. “I don’t want to get burnt by buying one now and to find that prices drop by 10% a month later,” he said.

Adnan al-Qayer, 22, also placed quality ahead of cost when it comes to buying a luxury car. Owner of a Lexus, he is not interested in getting one right now, but in the near future perhaps. Working in the financial sector, the Qatari young man observed he has concerns about the unfolding meltdown. “I think it would affect the Gulf also, but hopefully not too much,” Al-Qayer remarked.

Mohamed al-Shahwani, 18, was all set to buy a Porsche car to complement the Porsche Cayenne GTS 2009 SUV he already has. “I am aware of the global economic downturn, but that is not going to affect my plan to go for the luxury car now,” the Qatari stated.

Mohamed al-Khayarin, another 18 year-old Qatari, who also owns a Porsche Cayenne 2009, was hoping to acquire another luxury car in the near future. “Yes, I know,” he replied when asked about the financial crisis.

“No, I am not at all concerned about this economic slowdown,” asserted Qatari national Attallah al-Hashmi, 28, owner of a Ferrari, who would be getting another luxury car soon. Cost was not a factor for him.

“I would like to buy my luxury car in a month,” was how Abdullah al-Mullah, a 27 year-old Qatari responded. Cost was not a concern for him either, but the brand name was.
“The global economic uncertainty definitely has an effect on my investments, whether they are in Qatar or abroad,” he said.

Qatari national Hassan al-Shami, 46, who does not own a premium car, would buy one in the future, for his children. “Luxury would be the main factor deciding my purchase,” he said while adding that he had some concerns about the financial crisis.

Privatdrive The Exclusive Club’s founder and owner Alexis Lallement-Steiner had told Gulf Times ahead of the Supercar Show that over the last two years, Qatar has been figuring in the global top five in the sales of high end luxury car brands.

Alfardan Group Automotive Division’s chief operating officer Roy F Burt had said recently that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha has seen a very positive sales development in Qatar in recent years and this underpins the decision to open an additional Rolls-Royce showroom at The Pearl-Qatar in the first quarter of 2009. (with inputs from Peter Townson and Sarmad Qazi).

Source: Gulf Times

Go International, a company that is a part of the Abdulla Yousif Fakhro Group, today announced the launch of Go Rent A Car (Qatar), with plans to be one of the leading car rental companies in Qatar in the years to come.

Go International was launched in May of 2005 by Renault Formula One Driver Fernando Alonso and to date has emerged as a leading car rental company in the Arabian Gulf. Since it was founded in 2005, Go International has formed a subsidiary in Dubai called Go Rent A Car (Dubai) to cater to the growing car rental market in Dubai. Over a period of three years, Go Rent A Car (Dubai) has built a reputation for offering great customer service and quality products. This reputation for excellence has allowed the company to increase its fleet size quickly in a short period of time. Go Rent A Car (Dubai) currently operates a fleet of 1000 cars in the Dubai market and is regarded to be among the top handful of car rental companies in Dubai.

Commenting on the launch of Go Rent A Car (Qatar), Mohammed Adel Fakhro, Managing Director of Go International, said: “We are immensely proud of the achievements of the entire Go team. The company is successful today because of the efforts of every one of us. We are a young, vibrant company that has built a name for itself as a company that is 100% committed to customer service satisfaction. We will have a significant presence in the Qatar market in the years to come through the efforts of our newly formed team in Doha.”

The Qatar car rental market has experienced significant growth over the past few years that has matched the growth of the overall Qatar economy. With the current slowdown in the global economy, it remains unclear if the Qatari car rental market will continue to grow over the coming years. Despite this, the company feels that it can grow during the period by offering levels of service and professionalism that will help to set Go Rent A Car apart from the competition in the Qatari market.

Ejaz Ahmed, Area Manager, Go Rent A Car (Qatar) commented that, ‘We are very optimistic about our prospects in this market because we feel that we can offer more to our customers without charging extra. The slogan of Go Rent A Car is ‘We Go Further’. That is what we have done for three years and that is what we intend to do for our customers every day going forward. We will take that extra step to ensure complete satisfaction.’

Go Rent A Car (Qatar) plans to have 300 cars in the Qatar market in two years. The company has opened its first retail outlet in downtown Doha to cater to the customers of its new fleet of Honda and Nissan cars. The company is licensed to offer car rental and chauffer services to corporate and individual customers in the Qatar market and intends to be a leading company in this segment in the years to come offering a wide variety of cars to cater to every need.

Source: ameinfo.com

BMW Group’s exclusive importer in Qatar, Alfardan Automobiles, will showcase a spectacular line-up of the latest BMW models at the Private Drive Supercar Show being held at The Pearl-Qatar on Friday and Saturday.

Included in the range on display is BMW’s new 7 Series flagship model which was launched globally this week. The new 7 Series has been heralded as revolutionary in terms of innovation, performance, space and driver orientation, with a brand-new interpretation of style, luxury and driving experience.

Alfardan Automobiles will also exhibit the BMW X5, which has enjoyed pioneering status as the world’s first sports activity vehicle (SAV), the recently launched BMW X6, which was awarded Car of the Year 2008 by CAR Middle East, and the M Series lineup, including the M6, M5 and yet another Car of the Year winner, the M3.

Also on display is the new high powered MINI John Cooper Works model, a triumph in sports car engineering and performance, with unique driving dynamics. The MINI Cooper Works Clubman accelerates to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 238km/h.

“The PrivatDrive Supercar Show is an ideal platform to reach an audience that recognizes BMW as the benchmark in the luxury performance segment of the Qatar’s automobile market,” Alfardan Automotive Group’s chief operating office Axel Dreyer stated.

“It also reflects our strong association with the Pearl Qatar, and all the activities which are embraced by this luxury hub, help to serve our short and long term objectives,” he said. “The line-up we are presenting here reflects the premium status of the BMW brand, with each model at the forefront of innovative design, technology and sheer driving pleasure.” Dreyer added.

Alfardan Automobiles is also displaying the Rolls-Royce Phantom family. This will include the latest bespoke edition, Phantom Mirage, the ‘on-road yacht’ Phantom Drophead Coupe, and the recently launched Phantom Coupe which was introduced to the Qatari market at the beginning of the current month, revealing the most driver-oriented car in the current Rolls-Royce Phantom range.

With the addition of the Coupe to the range, the luxury car manufacturer now offers four models, including the 4-door Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase and the convertible Phantom Drophead Coupe, all currently on display at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Showroom, a division of Alfardan Automobiles, in Doha.

Source: Gulf Times

Source: The Peninsula

Doha - A new location is being allocated outside Doha for disposal of abandoned vehicles as the existing facilities are facing a severe space crunch.

The new scrap yard will be located in Mesaieed, Al Sharq reported yesterday. Official formalities for setting up the facility are in progress.

Several municipalities have stopped disposing of abandoned vehicles after the closure of the main scrap yard in the Industrial Area functioning under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning, said the paper.

Abandoned cars on major roads and highways would remain an eyesore for passers by until the new facility becomes functional.

The number of abandoned vehicles in the country has increased manifold thanks to an increase in the number of registered vehicles. They end up in the scrap yard for various reasons like getting damaged beyond repair in accidents, being abandoned by the owners or impounded by the police for violations of the traffic law.

These vehicles are towed away to the scrap yard by the municipality, which works in coordination with the Traffic and Patrol Department.

Source: THE PENINSULA | BY MOHAMMED IQBAL

DOHA: Women can now take driving tests in automatic cars subject to permission from the Traffic and Patrols Department, an official of a leading driving school said yesterday.

Adel Salem, manager of Al Rayah driving school, said the schools had already started offering driving lessons to women on automatic cars, following instructions from the Traffic Department. The facility is available only to women applicants. Earlier, the training was offered only in manual cars, to both men and women.

The official said those who get a licence for driving automatic cars are not permitted to drive a car with manually operated gears.

“We are now offering training in automatic cars for a limited number of women applicants. Every applicant opting for an automatic car licence must take special permission from the Traffic Department,” said Salem.

He said the Traffic Department is granting permission selectively since this provision has not been made a part of the traffic law.

The fee as well as duration of the course is the same for both types of licences.

Salem said driving schools in the city were no more facing the kind of rush they had experienced a year ago.

The number of applicants has declined considerably with the opening of several new driving schools in the city.

“The applicants now get enrolled in a week’s time after they submit the application. Repeat tests are conducted without a long gap,” said Salem.

He said the pass percentage in driving schools in Qatar was about 20 to 30 percent. “This is similar to the international ratio,” said Salem.