HH SHEIKH AHMED TO INAUGURATE THE AUTOMECHANIKA MIDDLE EAST 2009 SHOW

DUBAI (May, 2009) – The Middle East’s largest exhibition for auto aftermarket opens from May 31 – June 2, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. 966 exhibitors from 46 countries will showcase their products in eight halls.

The event has received a huge boost with the confirmation that HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Emirates Group, will open the show.

Automechanika Middle East is a highly acclaimed event for tapping worldwide emerging trends of the automotive aftermarket in throughout the wider Middle East. Organized by Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH for 3 days, it is a definitive event which is set to open for experts in the automotive sport, workshop equipment, tyres & batteries, parts & systems, repair & maintenance, and auto accessories & tuning industries worldwide.

The exhibition will witness an imposing presence from 14 overseas pavilions from France, Germany, Italy, India, Turkey, UK, USA and many more.

Mr. Michael Dehn, Senior Show Manager of Automechanika Middle East said, “It’s remarkable that even in difficult times, we have not only sustained our mark as an entrusted podium for the auto aftermarket industry in the Middle East, but have also managed to acquire more number of exhibitors than last year, when the number of participating companies was 941.”

Mr. Dehn added, “Our Dubai show is the world’s third largest event in the Automechanika series. It is an honour for us, not only to contribute to the Middle East’s auto industry in this way, but also to the global automotive parts, components and aftermarket industry.”

Thousands of service and repair owners, technicians, retailers, distributors, installers, jobbers, manufacturers, media and industry professionals are expected to attend this year’s event.

The exhibition has attracted some of the world's best automotive suppliers. The Dubai edition of Automechanika has become the ultimate shop window for trade visitors. Some of the highlights will be from exhibitors such as, General Motors Africa & Middle East FZE (ACDelco), MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Intertruck MENA, Automotor France, Foilacar Middle East, Novocar, VBSA, Capelec, Liqui Moly GmbH, Alsafa Trading Co. (Ed Hardy), Rahimafrooz Globatt Limited and Forte Middle East FZC amongst several others.
ACDelco, the world’s largest provider of branded automotive spare parts, is building its presence at this year’s Automechanika Middle East Show in Dubai around an innovative and interactive ‘Spare parts over spare parts’ themed stand, which will not just be a visual treat for visitors, but the information sharing and technological demonstrations which will be held at the stand, will be the most sought after for.

In times where people have to save money, they take more care of their car; hence, the car care market is lucrative even amid the economic downturn. Forte Middle East, leader in the manufacture of additives and car care products will be doing an exclusive regional launch of its RedWing Professional range at the Automechanika Middle East.

Alsafa Trading Co. is the official distributor of Ed Hardy celebrity car accessories in the Middle East. They will showcase air fresheners, protective covers for cars, anti grinding dust and anticorrosion, sun visors, and car decorations.

According to MANN+HUMMEL, ‘Good lubrication means good running’ - this motto still applies, even for the latest examples of modern engine technology. MANN+HUMMEL will offer oil filters and filter systems that are tailored to particular engine concepts.

On May 31st 2009, Rahimafrooz Globatt Limited, the largest export manufacturing plant in South Asia, will host the worldwide launch of its new automotive battery brand GLOBATT. The GLOBATT range is prepared to hit the international market with a premium range of Maintenance Free (MF) and Sealed Maintenance Free (SMF) batteries, it will also have advanced features like EMT (Expanded Metal Technology) and Silver PLUS design.

VBSA’s smart repair kits for windshield repair and dent removals are innovative products which, with a simple use of an adhesive can repair and lift within minutes. A pioneer in windscreen repair, VBSA manufactures and distributes complete ranges of equipment for automotive glazing market, lifting and replacement. This year the number of space only stands booked by the participants has increased as compared to 2008, implying that the exhibitors are willing to invest more in the Automechanika Middle East platform to educate potential buyers face-to-face on how their technology works, even when the economic crisis has limited their marketing budgets.

The tyres section has received a great deal of interest this year. As compared to 2008, this section has witnessed a high growth rate of 525%, to present 25 key players of the tyre industry at the show.

The trade fair also features the Automechanika Academy, an interactive forum dedicated to the introduction and discussion of the most relevant issues of the regional automobile industry, with the presence of the industry’s key experts in every field from key organizations such as, Dubai World, Frost & Sullivan (UAE), RTA (UAE), and SEMA Association (USA) amongst others.The seminar will serve as a communication bridge between enterprises, buyers and researchers.

Backed with an enriched expertise, Automechanika Middle East is directed towards providing a single most platform to reputed international and regional automotive professionals.

First Look: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Ironically, it's only years after the big divorce that the Jeep brand finally benefits from the DaimlerChrysler marriage. An all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee debuts for 2011, and it now shares its underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz M-class SUV. Better late than never, we suppose.
A new 3.6-liter replaces the previous 3.7-liter as the base V-6. It produces 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque (up significantly from the old lump's 210 and 235) and returns 11 percent better fuel economy, thanks in part to variable valve timing. The optional 360-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 returns to the playground, and both engines are paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or four-wheel drive.
An optional Quadra-Lift air suspension (inherited from Mercedes) can raise the Grand Cherokee's ride height, increasing approach, departure, and breakover angles for even more off-road credibility. No longer constrained by the Commander, Jeep's mainstay family hauler has room to grow--and so the new Grand Cherokee is 1.8 inches longer, 3 inches wider, and, most important, rides on a wheelbase that's 5.3 inches longer. That last measurement contributes to a significant increase in rear-seat room, a welcome improvement over today's cramped bench. Jeep promises more soft-touch plastics and a higher quality interior, as well as an available Alpine sound system.

2009 Detroit Auto show reveals Green 2009 Audi A7 Sportback Concept

The name, Sportback, isn't one with much meaning for Americans, but at Audi it will soon assume greater significance than Avant. Already, the company refers to the A3 four-door hatchback as a Sportback and at the Paris auto show last fall it unveiled the subcompact A1 Sportback concept. Here, Audi wants to show that the Sportback idea isn't just for small cars.
Indeed, this Sportback concept is a preview of the upcoming Audi A7, essentially a premium, four-door coupe variant of the A6, much in the same way the Mercedes-Benz CLS is positioned above the E-class on which it's based.
So this Sportback (nee A7) is not a small car. It's just a shade longer (0.6 inch) than the A6 Avant, but more than three inches narrower and lower than the A6. The design of the large hatchback, however, is supposed to mimic the A5 notchback coupe. The front end gets a more squat version of Audi's large, vertical grille, and the exterior is dressed up with LED lights front and rear, and 21-inch wheels. As befits a show car, the interior is over-the-top plush, with leather everywhere (and a Bentley-esque, diamond sew pattern on the seats), a huge glass roof panel, oak "blockboard" wood trim, and filigreed aluminum.
Mechanically, this concept showcases all the latest Audi goodies. That means a turbocharged, direct-injection diesel, specifically the 3.0-liter V-6 that will be offered in the Q7 SUV starting this April. Here it makes 225 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, and it's mated to an 8-speed tiptronic automatic. The powertrain uses Audi's revised layout, seen already in the A4- and A5-series cars, that reduces the front overhang. Audi claims that this engine can hustle the 3968-pound concept from 0 to 62 mph in less than 7 seconds, and can also achieve nearly 37 mpg in the European test cycle. The Sportback also features a multilink suspension, active dampers (similar to those in the Q7), and ceramic disc brakes.