Friday

Lamborghini flown from Qatar to London













In a virtual slap to the face of eco-friendly drivers worldwide, a wealthy Sheikh went to the trouble of shipping his oddly-hued Lamborghini from Qatar to London and back... for an oil change. That is 3,250 miles each way, or about the total distance likely traveled between oil changes in the first place. It's bad enough that the Lambo LP640 is a high carbon-emitter in the first place, but this act truly shows utter disregard for the environment. The shipping companies seemed to agree, with an airport worker saying, "This car doesn't have a carbon footprint – more of a crater." A London-Heathrow cargo handler added, "It would have been far more efficient to fly mechanics out there."

It could be that these things happen more often than the public knows, as David Price of Lamborghini Club UK says: "If an owner wants to service his car in that way, it is his choice. I'm not surprised. Thankfully the age of excess in some areas continues." Lamborghini UK spokeswoman Juliet Jarvis says, "This sort of thing is not unheard of." Perhaps that's true, but it certainly should be unheard of. Coming from Qatar, the wealth which made this purchase possible, along with the ridiculous $46,644 USD is cost to ship, likely comes from oil in the first place, making this story truly come full circle.

[Source: The Sun]

Thursday

Top Automotive News

* Toyota sales grow in GCC region

Sales of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in 2008 in the GCC region are expected to reach 517,000 units (123 percent of the 2007 figure), exceeding 500,000 units for the first time, according to the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), which also expects a strong sales momentum in 2009. The Peninsula - 08Jan 06:57GMT

* Al Rawas Auto inks deal with Emrald to distribute industrial tyres

Al Rawas Auto has joined hands with Emrald Resilient Tyre Manufacturers Pvt Ltd, the flagship company of the Emrald Group of Companies, India, for the distribution of the Emrald brand of industrial tyres. Times of Oman - 08Jan 05:33GMT

* Dubai's Rent a car sector sees 20% rise in demand

Demand for hired cars in Dubai has grown by up to 20 per cent in the past few months despite the financial crisis, says Moried Al Taher, Chairman of Discount Rent A Car. Emirates Business 24/7 - 07Jan 06:16GMT

* New Renault Symbol drives in to the UAE

Reinforcing its commitment to offer UAE residents a wider product range choice, Renault GCC is proud to introduce the all New Renault Symbol which represents the evolution of the successful Clio - popularly known as Clio Classic. Press Release - 06Jan 12:01GMT

* New Suzuki Alto Lapin with enhanced performance and fuel economy launched

Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced the Japanese domestic launch of the new Alto Lapin, a minivehicle that combines a distinctive retro design with outstanding fuel economy. Press Release - 06Jan 07:49GMT

* Porsche takes over Volkswagen

The German luxury sportscar maker Porsche has taken over Volkswagen, the biggest European car maker, by purchasing more than 50 percent of its shares, Porsche said late on Monday. AFP - 06Jan 07:47GMT

* Al Rawas Auto, India's Emrald Tyres join hands

Al Rawas Auto LLC, a subsidiary of Abdullah Saeed Badar al Rawas Group has joined hands with Emrald Resilient Tyres Manufacturers Pvt Ltd, India, a leading industrial tyre manufacturer for distributing the tyres across Oman and other Middle East countries. Oman Daily Observer - 04Jan 06:17GMT

* Qatar: Firm to offer desert recovery for vehicles

The recently launched Raha Auto Assistance will soon provide recovery services to drivers who get stuck in the deserts, a senior official of the company has said. The Peninsula - 02Jan 08:01GMT

* Lancer Evolution X - Gets a Revision

For those motoring enthusiasts who have dreamed of owning the high performance Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, their dream gets closer to reality, with a much lower price to be paid. Al Habtoor Motors LLC has announced new reduced prices for its entire range of Lancer Evolution X 2009 MY cars. Press Release - 31Dec 08:35GMT

* Suzuki SX4 Sedan, Grand Vitara launched at Jeddah International Motor Show

Suzuki Saudia, the sole distributor of Suzuki vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and part of Bamarouf Group, has announced that its participation in this year's Jeddah International Motor Show that is running since December 27, 08 and is continuing till 31 December. Press Release - 30Dec 12:22GMT

Tuesday

Supercar Show at Pearl Doha, Qata

hello guys, got some update from www.lushbling.com about coming super car show at the pearl Qatar. check the schedule below:















From November 21 to 22, the Pearl Qatar in Doha will be hosting the Supercar Show, an exhibition of the world’s top luxury and super cars.

Other luxury lifestyle items such as yachts, pro golf simulator tournaments, fashion and jewelry will also be at the exhibition.

The Pearl Qatar is one of the most luxurious places to be in Doha right now. “This is the Middle East’s most glamorous address where Pearlesque names, crafted from an intriguing mix of Italian, French, Spanish and Arabic, summon up the charm of the old world, and the spirit of the new.”

Pearl Qatar has an international yachting club with three marinas, 700 boats, luxury apartments, homes, penthouses, villas, and three 5 star hotels. It is a place for luxury shopping and entertainment.

During this weekend’s Supercar Show, guests can expect to see vehicles from Alfardan Automobiles, Alpina, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Rolls Royce, MINI, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, and many others.

Sunday

7 Savvy Savings Tips

1. Raise your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay when you make a claim before your insurance company pays. The disadvantage of raising your deductible is that when you do make a claim, you’ll pay more. The advantage is that your annual insurance costs go down. You can raise your deductible on the comprehensive and collision sections of your insurance policy.

2. Drop your collision and/or comprehensive insurance on older autos. If your car is not worth much to begin with, then it may not be worth paying for collision and comprehensive insurance. That is because the amount you pay for the deductible plus the amount you pay for the insurance may be more than the value of the car itself. An auto dealer or Kelley Blue Book can help you determine the value of your auto.

3. Buy a "lower profile" vehicle. Part of what determines the cost of insurance is the kind of vehicle you drive. Some models are common targets for auto theft, while some models are just more expensive to repair. Generally these vehicles will cost more to insure. It pays to do your research before you buy.

4. Take full advantage of low mileage or distance discount rating. Some insurance companies give discounts to people who drive less than a pre-determined number of miles each year or drive certain distances to and from their place to work.

5. When you move, consider the cost of insurance. Yes, the cost of insurance varies from place to place. Some areas can be considerably higher. Make sure to keep your insurance broker informed, as this could save you money.

6. Make sure the information about your vehicle is correctly listed on your policy. You would be surprised how many inaccuracies show up on a policy, especially with so many model names sounding very similar. Insurance rates vary depending on model, and you could be paying more for a car you’re not even driving! Other common errors include the wrong mileage and mistaking a four-door vehicle for a two-door (both of which can also affect insurance rates).

7. Research the bevy of discounts available. Insurance companies reward good drivers. Insurance companies also reward people who insure both their homes and cars with them. This is called a multi-policy discount. Other discounts available may (depending on your insurer) include multiple vehicles, anti-theft devices, retirees, driver education, abstainers from alcohol, age, and distance to university/colleges for students.

Saturday

Five Auto Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

Many people have negative feelings about auto insurance: They're required to pay for a service that they hope to never use. While it's true the law requires drivers to have auto insurance, there are many misperceptions about it that may influence the choices you make when purchasing your policy. Here are five mistakes to avoid — before you buy auto insurance.

Choosing your limits based on the minimums your state requires rather than the type of vehicle you drive.

Of course it's important to be legal — companies won't sell you auto insurance below state minimum requirements, but choosing just those minimums may leave you with the risk of large out-of-pocket expenses if you ever have to use your insurance for a claim. If you drive a mid-size SUV and you hit another vehicle, the damage could be extensive. If your state only requires a $10,000 minimum for property damage and you cause $15,000 in damage to a Mercedes, guess who's responsible for the remaining $5,000? That's right: You are, not your insurance company. So when you choose your insurance limits, think about the size of your vehicle and how much damage you could cause with it. If you're not able to pay large chunks of money out of pocket, you might want to choose higher limits.

Choosing an auto insurance company by price alone rather than by what's offered for the price.

If you get several auto insurance quotes and you base your choice on who charges the least without examining what they offer for the price, you might be selling yourself short. Make sure your quotes are as similar as possible to see what the best deal is, and choose similar limits across all quotes to compare apples to apples. Also, consider a company's availability before you purchase a policy. Some companies may not offer 24/7 access to their customers. Progressive does.

Not being up-front about your driving history.

If you don't disclose tickets, accidents or other moving violations during a quote, your rate may not be accurate. So, while the price may be enticing at first, you may be in for a surprise when you actually purchase the policy. Insurance companies will find out about driving histories because they check your driving records, and they'll adjust the price of your policy accordingly. So it really is to your advantage to tell a company about your driving history up-front to get a more accurate rate.

Assuming all auto insurance companies are the same.

While insurance companies are regulated on a state-by-state basis, not every insurance company will offer the same products and services in a given state. Before you choose a company, make a list of what's important to you. Is it price? Convenience? Repair options? Types of parts used? Once you have your list, ask each company about the items on your list to see who can meet your needs the best. Progressive offers options such as our concierge level of claims service, which caters to customers who prefer convenience and efficiency. This service allows customers to drop off their vehicles at a claims service center while Progressive takes care of everything else. You simply return when your car is repaired and ready to go. The time-saving aspects of this service are a big selling point for Progressive customers who've used our concierge service. So before you buy an auto insurance policy, see what a company offers that fits your needs. You'll discover that not all companies are the same.

Choosing insurance coverages that could be available through other avenues.

Think about whether coverage options are duplicated elsewhere before you purchase your auto insurance policy. For instance, if your manufacturer's warranty is still active, or if you have AAA, towing many be covered if your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road. In these cases, you wouldn't need to purchase Roadside Assistance coverage on your insurance policy since you'd be covered for towing elsewhere. If you're on a budget and already have health insurance that covers injuries caused in an accident, you may be able to bypass Personal Injury Protection and/or Medical Payments coverage, but only if they're not required by law in your state. If you've tricked out your car with custom parts, you may not need Custom Parts and Equipment coverage during the first year if you chose a warranty plan that covers damage to those parts. Finally, you may not need Loan/Lease Payoff coverage through your insurance company if you've already purchased it through your finance company. This may be built into your monthly payments as part of your loan insurance. If it's too late to remove the loan insurance, there may be no need to purchase Loan/Lease Payoff coverage through your auto insurance company, too. Consider who offers the best protection — and at what price — to determine what works best for you.