Monday, Jun 17, 2013

Sector Scan 1 - BMW

The BMW Group’s Middle East operation is placing counterfeit parts firmly in its crosshairs. It is mounting a public awareness campaign to highlight differences between the fake and genuine. And integrated media, advertising and PR campaign will focus on three areas - safety, value retention and sustainability, and will include a print campaign, online communication and displays in importer showrooms to showcase examples of original and fake spare parts for consumers to see the differences first-hand. “Customers often seek to purchase counterfeit parts for short term savings without knowledge of the adverse long-term implications it has on their vehicle, which ultimately ends up costing them more,” said Rudolf Spann, after sales director, BMW Group Middle East. “We all have a role to play - the government, automotive companies and consumer protection bodies.” An estimated 30 per cent of the automotive parts industry in the GCC is counterfeit. Also, counterfeit products in the UAE account for 12.5 per cent of the country’s $3.8 billion automobile spare parts market.

SECTOR SCAN 2 - FERRARI

When it comes to hp no stopping a Ferrari

There is no stopping a Ferrari… or for that matter a Ferrari engine. For the third year running a Ferrari engine has triumphed at the prestigious International Engine of the Year Awards, this time with the naturally-aspirated 6262-cc V12. The 740-hp engine, which equips the F12 Berlietta, took the two categories - ‘Best Performance Engine’ and ‘Above 4-litre Engine’ - which were won in 2011 and 2012 by Ferrari’s 4.5-litre V8. The awards, recognised as the industry’s top accolade for the world’s best powertrain technology, have seen the international judging panel increase to 86 motoring journalists from 35 nations. “Three figures suffice to demonstrate the results of development: 120-hp more and 30 per cent lower emissions than the previous V12 that equipped the 599 GTB Fiorano, along with a 30 per cent increase in longitudinal acceleration,” said Jean Jacques His, head of Ferrari’s powertrain department.

SECTOR SCAN 3 - NISSAN

Talk about getting a personalised touch

Arabian Automobiles, the flagship of the AW Rostamani group and the Nissan dealership in Dubai and the northern emirates, has launched a customisation programme across the model range. Titled ‘n-plus’, will personalize customers’ vehicles to meet their and individual styles and fancies. Customers can add locally fitted accessories to their vehicles. For instance, it could be a remote engine starter, a rear view mirror with camera, Bluetooth connectivity and window tinting. For the Nissan Maxima the trimmings can be a leather interior, window tinting, rear-view mirror with camera and DRLs, while for the Patrol there can be multiple interior leather colors options, Bluetooth connectivity, DVD headrests system and DRLs. “The Nissan Patrol and Nissan Altima are two of our most popular vehicles, and are a natural choice to launch the n-plus programme,” said Salah Yamout, sales and marketing director at Arabian Automobiles.

SECTOR SCAN 4 - HYUNDAI

Marking a key milestone

A 30-year partnership has been marked in some style. Hyundai Motor Co. presented Juma Al Majid Est. with a trophy for sustained business excellence over three decades. A trophy was presented to Khaled Issa, chief operating officer, Juma Al Majid Group (JAME), by Tom Lee, head of Hyundai Middle East’s regional headquarters at the Deira Showroom. “Despite all the challenges that faced Hyundai brand, JAME was able to break barriers and transform Hyundai into a major contender in the local automotive market,” said Issa. “Our secret to success has always been that ‘we love what we sell and we love the people we sell to’.”

SECTOR SCAN 5 - CLASSICS

All for a good cause

Organisers of the UK’s 2013 Concours of Elegance have announced its line-up of 60 vintage cars which will be on display on the Royal lawns of St James’s, Central London from September 5 to 7, 2013. Spanning several vintages the oldest car will be a 1907 Darracq 18-hp Double-Phaeton, followed by a 1907 Itala 120-hp and a 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Torpedo Grande Luxe Vanden Plas. The UK contributes more than 20 of these classics, while another 16 come from mainland Europe and 13 from the US. Last year’s event raised in excess of £250,000 for charities.

Staff Report

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