Automotive

Chevrolet Malibu is the auto industry’s longest-running midsize nameplate, spanning 35 years and eight generations.
Muscat, Oman - The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu was unveiled in Oman by General Motors & OTE Group recently in the presence of Mr. Markus Leithe, Regional Manager, General Motors Middle East Operations, Mr.Sajed Sbeih, Sales Business Manager Oman, General Motors Middle East Operations and Mr. Ajay Chopra, Managing Director, OTE Group. The new Malibu is Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan. It has been designed and engineered to meet the needs of customers around the world.

“With expressive styling, a comfortable cabin, high levels of content and features, interior craftsmanship outstanding ride and handling, and top-notch safety, Chevrolet Malibu will exceed customers’ expectations and also be a rival to high-end sedans ” said Markus Leithe.

“OTE Group is proud to be associated with the global automotive giant and has constantly strived to provide its customers quality customer care and best in-class ownership experience which helps us build on the goodwill and contribute to the propagation and growth of Chevrolet in Oman” added Ajay Chopra.

OTE Group - Hyundai Service wins award for ‘Outstanding Performance in Service Operation’ among distributors across the Middle East region. This award was presented by Mr. Terry Kim, General Manager, Hyundai Motor Company to Mr. Dileep Kaul, General Manager - Service, OTE Group at a glittering ceremony held during 2012 Middle East Service Conference, held in Lebanon recently. This memorable achievement is mainly due to OTE Group’s dedicated & continuous focus on regular training and skill up-gradation of its service technicians.

OTE Group always believes in providing world class service to its customers. With every passing generation, Hyundai vehicles have become technologically superior thus requiring enhanced technician skills for efficient diagnostics and repair. With this memorable achievement, OTE Group’s Hyundai Service team has once again proven their excellence & dedication to offer excellent service and utmost care to its customers.

Year of record global sales; new mid-term growth plan started; Nissan LEAF becomes world’s best selling electric car

Beirut (May 16, 2012) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced financial results for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2012, and filed the following results with the Tokyo Stock Exchange:

•    Net revenues of 9.409 trillion yen (US $118.95 billion, euro 86.32 billion);
•    Operating profit of 545.8 billion yen (US $6.90 billion, euro 5.01 billion);
•    Ordinary profit of 535.1 billion yen (US $6.76 billion, euro 4.91 billion); and
•    Net income of 341.4 billion yen (US $4.32 billion, euro 3.13 billion).

In fiscal year 2011, Nissan's global sales reached a record-high of 4.845 million units as demand for its vehicles outperformed the total auto industry. Unit sales of Nissan vehicles rose 15.8% from last year’s 4.185 million units, while total industry volumes increased 4.2% from 72.6 million units in fiscal 2010 to 75.7 million. Nissan’s share of the global market rose 0.6 points to 6.4%.

All models covered during fixed period campaign

Muscat 16 May, 2012: European Motors has announced a free AC check-up campaign for all Peugeot motorcar owners in Oman. The current campaign began last month and will run till the end of May.

Bob Seshadri, general manager of European Motors said: “As we enter into the long summer months, keeping the driver and occupants in a safe, comfortable and cool environment is top priority. We introduced the campaign last year and our customers are now enjoying the benefit of professional services offered by our factory-trained technicians. As a representative of a European customer focused automotive brand in Oman with factory approved service set-up we can offer this exclusive second to none service for the benefit of all Peugeot owners and users in Oman.”

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9 May 2012 - EGMA Optical Supplies, a leading UAE company in the GCC and the Middle East, launched the unique and prestigious Mercedes Benz optical frames and sunglasses at Dubai Vision X-13.

Mr. Poya Eghterafi, Executive Director of EGMA, stated that since the beginning, and based on the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the growth and development of the UAE, EGMA has developed a plan of action for the advancement of the company and to raise the level of the optical industry. EGMA began to expand, and currently it reached the size of 45% of the domestic market and a large size in the greater GCC and the Middle East markets through EGMA's offices in the UAE, Oman and Qatar, and through EGMA's partners and investors in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt.

Dubai, May 08, 2012 – Audi’s new compact SUV, the Q3, has arrived to the Middle East markets. Following the success of the company’s Q5 and Q7 SUV models, which made up 30 percent of total Middle East sales in the first four months of 2012, Audi is placing high hopes on its first SUV in the compact segment.

Jeff Mannering, Managing Director of Audi Middle East, comments “The demand for both the Audi Q5 and Q7 still outstrips supply. We are constantly negotiating with the factory for higher allocations for the Middle East markets, even though the new generations of the Q5 and Q7 are expected only in 2013 and early 2015 respectively. We are positive that the new Audi Q3 will fare equally as well.”

The Q3 is immediately recognizable as the youngest member of the large Audi family. Every aspect of the Q3 showcases Audi technology – the body, the drivetrain, the chassis and the assistance and multimedia systems. The coupe-like lines are an expression of its sporty character. Sharp edges frame elegantly arched sheet metal surfaces, and distinctive lights xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights accentuate the front and rear.

In extending their support to the colourful ‘Baisakhi’ festival celebrations in Oman, Mazda recently sponsored the ‘Muscat Alive Baisakhi 2012’ event, where some of Punjab’s favourite stage and screen icons performed at the Qurum amphitheatre. Organised by the Punjabi Wing of the Indian Social Club, the show was a one of a kind community event, which provided audiences in Oman with wholesome entertainment and festivity, and saw popular stars like Harbhajan Mann, Diljit Dosanjh, Pooja, Lembher Husainpuri and Satinder Sati performing live on stage.

Annurag Chawla, Head of Marketing and Communications, Towell Auto Centre, sole distributors of the Mazda range in Oman says, “We are happy to have backed the event; as it was a pleasingly different, fun community entertainment show. A huge section of the expatriate community came together to witness the high energy show; thus making our affiliation with it natural, as we at Mazda believe that events of this nature are the best way to communicate the essence of our brand.”

The New Renault Duster, a strong and reliable SUV with genuine off-road ability, was officially unveiled at the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show by Mr. Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing Renault Formula One driver and Mr. Mustansir Lakdawala, Managing Director of Renault GCC.

The New Renault Duster is a particularly versatile 4x2 and 4x4 vehicle, which combines a spacious interior with saloon-car comfort, while its compact footprint and high ground clearance ensure that it is at home in and about town as it is on country roads or off the beaten track.