Chevrolet Tahoe ranks top in Saudi Auto tests

Chevrolet’s full size Tahoe has been named as the 'Editor's Choice' in the latest issue of Saudi Auto, better than even Toyota Sequoia.

The Editor's Choice is a monthly comparative test drive feature conducted by Saudi Auto's expert editorial team involving both static and dynamic evaluation criteria.
Bakur Azher, publisher and editor in Chief of Saudi Auto, said: “In a closely fought contest, the Chevrolet Tahoe wins the editor’s seal of approval as the full size SUV of choice. Its ability to combine all its attributes together with excellent value puts it ahead of the competition.”

The Chevrolet Tahoe is available as…
•LS, LT and LTZ, with two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive option.
•With six speed transmission and 5.3-litre V8 engine with 355 hp at 5,200 rpm.

Some good news for GM, Middle East

Kia Offer

Kia dealer in KSA is making an 'irresistible offer' to their prospective customers for the Ramadan season.
They will match up to 25% of down payment or two lease rentals
Also other freebies such as insurance, road side assistance, extended warranty...

Is that a huge marketing budget or heavy discount ? What would be the re-sale value of these cars one year down the line ?


we will get to see lot more of Kia, principal sponsor, Fifa world cup at South Africa
Kia official website: http://www.kiamotors.com/

Toyota Fortuner

Toyota is planning to launch this model in India, shortly.

I wonder why ? It is one of the rare Toyota models, which has failed to catch the imagination, esp in Middle East (ME),!

Toyota entered India thru Qualis. It was a great vehicle, no doubt. But, the entry could have been with a better vehicle.

Innova was a good car. But, like qualis, the brand has been hijacked by the taxi/tour operators. Camry is a luxury car in Indian market, but a popular limousine in ME. In spite of big number of Camry sold in ME, this model suffers from the tag of being a taxi!

But, the plan to launch Fortuner is surprising! The vehicle can not boast of the legendary Toyota pedigree in terms of style as well as performance. The model may still succeed, but why the world no. 1 car brand is being quite negative about the Indian auto market/car buyer, which surely will become one of biggest soon...
A RAV4 would have been a lot better proposition. Lastly, if high tax structure is a constraint, Toyota need to find ways to make better offerings to the India buyer. That is Car Innovation



http://www.edmunds.com/suv/2009/recommended.html

General Motors outperforms industry in key Middle East markets in first half of 2009

This is a classic press release !!!

The entire article talks only in percentage, an old way to camouflage the absolute nos.
Check out the article and you will find it hilarious! All beating around the bush ! Read between the lines if you can !

VW Takeover of Porsche!?

I am passionate about brand-Porche...
So, the cover feature of Porche CEO on Fortune issue Feb09, is proudly displayed in my office. But in a matter of few months, he has been eased out.
Indeed,we are living in interesting times !

This may pave the way for creation of a new car giant... the brands under Porche/VW enjoy tremendous equity. Let us hope this turn out to be truly synergetic and the consumer benefits, as much as the automobile industry, employees/other stakeholders.

Auto Industry News @ India

According to a recent reports, Americans are looking at buying Chinese and Indian cars. Interestingly, the owners of South Korean brands are at the forefront to check out the cars from other Asian origins. Why not ?!

Interestingly, two prominent Indians recently acquired the iconic American automobile, HUMMER. Two popular cricketers, MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh are the proud owners of the gaz-guzzlers :) This could generate more demand for this model. Southern Superstar, Chiranjeevi, was one of the earlier owners of an Hummer.

Film stars and cricketers can influence the brand-preference of cars in India.
While Shah Rukh Khan gave a dream entry for Hyundai, SUV's such as Mitsubishi range command a lot of aspirational value. Fiat's strategy to use Sachin Tendulkar as their brand-ambassador gave them high visibility too. Yuvraj has been roped in for Fiat Punto!
Jag and RR may consider this route to make their recently acquired brands more popular.

Of course, price will be a big factor. Toyota's Landcruiser is pegged at over Rs 80Lac, while it costs equivalent of RS 30 lac in Gulf, a market which enjoys low duties and taxes.

Used Car slump in Middle East

If new car industry has been going through a lean phase, the cascading effect on Used car can not be far behind. If other catalstic effects added, like Saudi ban on very old used cars and restrictions in certain African countries due to pressure on foreign exchange, the slump speeds up...

Read on
http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/7/Pages/15072009/07162009_1142df791c10493cb8720b7c144775eb.aspx