Chandra's Chronicles : ME Car Industry

Showing posts with label ME Car Industry. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

BBC News - Jaguar Land Rover considers manufacturing in Saudi Arabia

As per my previous post 'foreign-carmakers-ship-more-made-in-usa', there should be one good car brand, with manufacturing facility in GCC, to cater to entire MENA region. With Saudi Arabia being largest market in the region, the natural choice. With this aluminium smelter, additional advantage.

BBC News - Jaguar Land Rover considers manufacturing in Saudi Arabia

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Hyundai to display Centennial & Genesis Prada at Saudi show

The Centennial, which claims 'offers a first-class driving experience', with Hyundai’s TAU V8, the 4.6-litre TAU DOHC V8 unit produces 373 hp.
Genesis Prada is a special edition that has been produced in collaboration with the world renowned fashion designer Prada, and featuring the designer’s signature Saffiano leather. The 4.6-liter V8 engine, 1,200 of this Limited Edition model have been produced worldwide. The Genesis saloon houses a 290hp 3.8 V6 DOHC engine and comes with all the premium elements expected in a luxury saloon, including leather seats and wood paneling

Friday, August 17, 2012

Renault register growth in GCC

Having seen KSA market very closely, the new Renault dealer is a case study as to how to handle auto sales !
No big action, but get small, but key things right.
Get fundamentals right, other things will fall in place, incl market share, market perception ( of a European market dominated by Japanese brands), et al.

Hope they replicate it here in India...

Lots of expectations from newly launched Duster !

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/french-car-maker-posts-32-rise-in-gcc-sales-470176.html?message=3

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

BMW X6 Gets cosmetic changes!

This is for my friends in Middle East ( originally, my blog was M E Car Blog !)

X5 is one of the most popular models in ME. Very aspirational too.

SO, when X6 was launched, it was received with a lot of reservation. The main barrier was the size & shape. We were too used to the compact & smaller X5. I always knew it was matter of time before it would gain acceptance in a market where 'big' vehicles are very popular in SUV category. To top it from BMW! ( I was not off the mark - it is selling well in ME)

The changes are more of cosmetic as per the report :

'The facelifted X6 gets a new kidney grille with a wider chrome frame and revised bars, repositioned fog lights, new Adaptive LED headlights and revised tail lamps. The bonnet and the rear has also been reworked for a more aggressive look.'

Courtesy: http://automiddleeast.com/2012/05/23/headline/facelifted-bmw-x6-arrives-in-the-middle-east/

Friday, December 16, 2011

Ford Middle East

Nothing much to share.... Hence sharing this link of Ford - ME

Ford is making the right moves, with their new launches like Ford Explorer, already making the right vibes and they are making the right push for smaller cars, Figo/Focus etc

Among the big manufacturers, they seem on a strong ground to forge ahead in 2012...

http://www.me.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1137385092786&pagename=Page&c=DFYPage&site=FME

Monday, November 14, 2011

new restrictions on import of used car parts

perhaps this should surely improve the safety standards

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article533301.ece

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Chinese cars set to invade Saudi market target=

Chinese cars set to invade Saudi market target=

3000 cars to enter ME !

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Impact of Japan's quake on Middle East auto industry- a report

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/28/gulf-autos-idUSL6E7IS1C020110728

While Japanese brands struggle to keep up the demand, Hyundai also seem to be behind schedules, as some markets have reported shortages

Monday, June 20, 2011

Dubai's car market

Dubai's auto market for 2010

Valued at AED 20 bn
Re-exports AED 9 bn

Courtesy - arabian business

Friday, May 27, 2011

gulfnews : 'You have to be in emerging markets'

An interesting conversation with an auto expert from ME... about the situation arising out of tsunami @ Japan, in terms of supply of cars & spares... also, how they are moving in to other markets such as Saudi Arabia & India.

Friday, May 13, 2011

TOYOTA to stay on in Japan

Toyota plan to continue to manufacture cars at Japan, in spite of the devastation & disruption to production. It may take a long time to get things back on track, or 'assembly line/just in time' ! Even the rising input costs or shortage of power or even unfavorable rate of Yen will not make them change them to move production out of their country. Their own CFO says, '...current environment makes it very, very difficult' !

I wonder... !

Toyota is placing their country above the interests of the shareholders. Is it fair ? Also, they want to create jobs in Japan, in these bad times... Very patriotic..!
May be they want to ensure they produce in Japan to ensure quality, esp in view of their recent recalls?? They may still pull off on cost-front with better inventory .... can it be 'better', as they are already very good ??
Higher input cost may mean the end-customer may not be getting the 'best' price...
Other key players, Nissan & Honda, seem to be making more 'prudent' business decisions..

As a global brand, should they not be focussing on giving the best quality, at best price and creating jobs where they can ensure same ?

These are the questions a customer will have... not in Japan, but in other key markets, including Middle East, where they enjoy dominant market share...