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New car models debut at SIMS'09

JEDDAH: The launch of some new 2010 car models marked Saudi Arabia's 31st International Event for Motor Vehicles and sports utility vehicles-SUVs (SIMS'09), which entered its second day on Monday. The new models unveiled included Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and 370 Z, Suzuki Celerio, Kia Sorento, and Subaru Legacy.

"2010 represents an important milestone for Ford in the Middle East, as the company debuts a host of new products for the region," Sabah bin Abdullah Al-Kraidees, sales and marketing director of Al-Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co ., the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer in the Kingdom, told reporters at the unveiling of Ford Taurus.

Aside from the all-new Taurus full-size sedan with its upscale new design, the "mighty" off-roader Ford F-150 SVT Raptor truck and the all-new full size luxury crossover, the Lincoln MKT, are debuted by Ford, which has introduced a new high-performance, fuel-saving engine technology. "Ford's new family of EcoBoost engines will power up to 1.3 million vehicles globally by 2013," he added.

"Ford has so many stories to tell the visitors of this year's Jeddah Motor show," said Hussein Murad, Ford Middle East 's director of sales. "These are exciting times for the company as our transformation plan materializes into these great new products and innovations that our customers want. Any visitor to the Ford stand will be able to judge how far we have come in delivering one of the strongest product lineups ever in our history," he added.

Introducing the all-new 2010 Nissan Maxima four-door sports car and "iconic" 370Z sports car, Usman Hayat, general manager, national strategic marketing, Alhamrani United Co ., said the two sporty vehicles were new additions to its product range. "We will add the convertible 370Z Roadster model to our line-up in early 2010," Hayat said, adding that the Maxima now returns to the Middle East as Nissan 's flagship sedan. "The all-new 2010 Maxima has been designed as a commanding four-door sports car that is unique in both appearance and driving feel," Hayat said, adding that the breakthrough exterior design of the new Maxima imparts a feeling of "liquid motion," which combines an aggressive stance and powerful fender design. "The 2010 Maxima has two sides to its character -- a rational side with sedan practicality and luxury but also the soul of a sports car, so we call it the first premium 4-door sport car," he said.

The 2010 Kia Sorento is lower and longer, seats up to seven people, and has a fresh new look, said Mir Ajmal, marketing manager of Al-Jabr Automotive for Kia Motors . The Kia Soulter is a compact "tall hatchback" with unique boxy styling reminiscent of the Scion xB. It was first previewed as a concept in 2006, and finally entered production for the 2010 model year.

Suzuki launched its latest compact car, the 2010 Celerio. The Celerio is the successor to the last generation Suzuki Alto, although the Alto is still on sale, said Suzuki Saudia 's Deputy General Manager Maher Al Nabawi. "The Celerio represents motoring at its most cost-conscious -- there's little in the way of luxury, but its small size and light weight will make it particularly fuel efficient," he added.

The 2010 Subaru Legacy is wider, taller and longer than the previous generation, said an executive of Al-Yemni Motors Co. The new legacy comes in three trim levels: Legacy 2.5i, Legacy 2.5GT, and Legacy 3.6R.

The motor show in which more than 50 companies and agencies distributing cars, spare parts and accessories are exhibiting is "unique and the only of its kind being held regularly since 1978," said Zahoor Siddique, exhibitions director at Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd. The show, which ends on Thursday, enters its fourth decade.

By K.S. Ramkumar

© Arab News 2009