LAVs in operation; plan for reassembly plant
MUSCAT -- Light armored vehicles (LAV) manufactured in the Sultanate in operation in various countries! A company to set up an automotive reassembling plant in Oman! Well, it may sound incredulous, but indeed these were revelations at the Motor Show 2006, which concluded yesterday at Oman International Exhibition Centre.
Nimer II LAVs manufactured by Engine Engineering Company (EEC) are presently in operation in the defence forces of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Afghanistan, a company spokesman said. Nimer II, showcased at the Motor Show, features the engine and chassis of Landcruiser 2005 model. The LAV fabrication lives up to the stringent military requirements of countries where the vehicle traverses tough terrains. Precision electro-mechanical equipment are in place to operate a machine gun mounted on the vehicle roof, turning at 360 degree angles, while the vehicle has ample space for carrying six combatants and armaments, making it a unique armoured vehicle. Earlier, EEC built Nimer I, which was also in big demand, the official added.
Reflecting the strong growth potential of the automotive industry in Oman, Lulu Motors displayed Dadi and LMG vehicles from Malaysia. Lulu Motors, which was established in 2005, has an agreement with both the companies to build a mutual corporation and later set up a reassembling plant for these vehicles in Oman.
Dadi vehicles at the show included City Leading, a 4 wheel drive SUV, and Trekker 4x4 pick-up. The strong presence of a host of Chinese auto brands was a highlight of the annual Motor Show organised by Omanexpo. The Chinese auto industry in its bid for global presence has also strongly made a statement in Oman with a wide range of SUVs, pick-ups and commercial vehicles.
The Sultanate's auto mart may not be big in terms of volume, but the demanding requirements of customers make the job of dealers a hard one as innumerable brand choices are available, growing by the day. The annual sales figure, both passenger and commercial, is around 35,000 units. Presently, the number of vehicles registered in Oman is well over 370,000. Statistics also reveal that the sale of new vehicles outweighs that of used vehicles to the ratio of 2:1, which is a significant indicator of the vibrancy of the automotive market.
Vehicles from China Motor Company represented by MHD were a major attraction with the Veryca 8-seater mini bus and freezer pick-up revealing high competitive standards. The JMC double cabin pick-ups and trucks, also represented by MHD, highlighted the wide range available in the commercial segment. Zubair Automotive showcased Great Wall vehicles from China. The SUV Sing and Hover pick-up from Great Wall stand out with refined manufacturing standards.
The stars of the show at various stalls were second to none. The vantage position at the entry was thoroughly enjoyed by Peugeot 407 coupe, 307, 206 and 307 station wagon which made a grand statement.
The Grand Vitara SUV and Swift sedan were the major attractions at the stall of Suzuki while Citroen C4 and C6 were stunning at the stall of European Motors belonging to Zubair Automotive. Mitsubishi had a wide range, including the Grandis, L-200 4-wheel drive diesel, Lancer Evolution IX and the newly launched Galant.
Yamaha motor cycles, represented by Zubair Automotive, were a big draw with youngsters who thronged the show.
As in the previous years, the dominance of the show belonged to various automotive divisions of Saud Bahwan Group. The major attraction was a future Toyota truck concept vehicle flown in for the show from Japan. The truck will feature a V8 hybrid gas or electric engine. The Lexus range at the stall included ES 350, LX 470. LS 430, RX 350, GS 300 and IS 300. The newly launched 2007 Camry was another major attraction at the stall besides Oman's most popular vehicle Corolla. The range of Ford, Daihatsu and Kia vehicles summed up the wide reach of Saud Bahwan Group in Oman's automotive market.
Tata commercial vehicles represented by Al Hashar and Company elicited good response at the show. Tata showcased 4x2 as well as 4x4 pick-ups and commercial vehicles.
HSBC, lead sponsor of Motor Show 2006, is offering an exciting finance scheme on new vehicles. Customers opting for this 100 per cent finance facility do not need to have any deposits or present cheques to avail loans at 4.5 per cent interest. The only eligibility requirement is that the salary must be transferred to HSBC.
"The Motor Show reflects the health of Oman's auto industry, indicating the rapid growth of the industry in the face of rising disposable income in the region," C J Paul, General Manager of Omanexpo said.
By Ebby Chacko George
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
