UAE to ban resale, reuse of old tyres

Dubai: Come September, resale and reuse of old tyres will be banned, as the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology's (Esma) new tyre quality management scheme comes into effect across the UAE.

The new ‘birth to death' scheme, provides quality control specifications right from the stage of manufacturing to disposal of tyres.

Among the highlights of the new system is the requirement of additional certification for manufacturers, complete ban on sale of used tyres as well as restriction in re-treading and repair of tyres. Proper storage and disposal of tyres is also a priority.

"It is a central scheme in which we have tried to control the quality of tyres at every level, right from the manufacturing and storing to repair and disposal.
"At Esma we are trying to control the quality of products on priority basis and quality of tyres is currently one of the top priorities for us as so many lives depend on a good and well maintained tyre," said Engineer Mohammad Saleh Badri, Acting Director General of Esma, announcing the new scheme in Dubai
He added that a large number of accidents are due to faulty tyres or tyres that don't meet the standards required for the weather in the region. With the new scheme this issue will be addressed.

"A tyre once used for a car cannot be used for another car, no matter how good its condition is. Even if its used for only one day or one month, it is not allowed to be resold," said Badri. Currently, imported tyres comply with GCC specifications which require manufacturers and distributors to have a Gulf Standardisation Organisation (GSO) conformity certification.

However, Badri said GSO requirements are inadequate for the safety of vehicles on roads as it only looks into manufacturing aspects.

"Our idea is to have a complete makeover in the way tyres are managed and maintained. Companies as usual will need to acquire the GSO certification, but an additional UAE Standard ISO 9001 certification will be required before importing the tyres," Badri said.

Giving details of the specifications, Abdullah Abdul Qader Al Muaini, Director of Conformity Affairs at Esma, said that companies will have to conform to additional specifications and regulations when it comes to manufacturing and have to obtain conformity certifications from accredited laboratories before importing each batch of tyres.

Some of the new specifications are that tyres should have the quality to sustain temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius, in accordance with UAE weather.

"Normally, tyres are manufactured for temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, which is the reason why there are so many cases of tyre bursts during summer," Al Muaini added.

Another important regulation is that the total lifespan of each tyre is restricted to five years from the date of manufacture. Any tyre that is five years old, whether used or unused would be disposed of.

Importance of storage

Apart from manufacturing, the new law gives equal importance to storage.

"Storage is something which is very important to maintain the quality of a tyre and this is where we have been lacking. No matter how good a tyre is, if it is not stored properly then it is bound to be damaged, that is the reason why so many new tyres burst," said Badri.

Badri warned that trade licences would not be renewed for companies that do not comply with the new specification.

The authority has imposed a blanket ban on the import of retreated and used tyres, but these can be exported.

Esma has approved 25 companies to retreat used tyres, provided they adhere to its strict specifications. One of the chief requirements is that only those tyres with no damage to the main structure would be allowed to be retreated. Retreated tyres will have a life span of two years from the date of manufacture. These tyres will have a yellow patch. The law covers all tyres, except those for industrial vehicles.

Esma insists that all manufacturers as well as WTO have been informed of the new specifications well in advance of the effective date.

Monitoring

All stores will have to withdraw tyres that do not comply with the new specifications, come September.

The authority has devised a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the scheme right from the first stage to disposal and recycling of tyres.

"We are in talks with international consultants and we will soon hire the best in the industry to assist us monitor the implementation of our quality control scheme," said Badri.

Toyota introduces re-designed King of 4WD Land Cruiser in UAE

Al-Futtaim Motors, exclusive distributors of Toyota in the UAE, has announced the launch of the new  2012 Land Cruiser in the UAE. The new Land Cruiser was presented by Sadayoshi Koyari, Chief Engineer, Product Planning Group and Simon Frith, Managing Director Al-Futtaim Motors at a ceremony that included hands-on demonstrations as well as on-road and off-road driving experiences.

The new Land Cruiser is a vehicle that continues its 60 year history of quality, durability and reliability while adding multiple new technologies and features. With sharper design inside and out and advanced handling technologies the car promises exceptional off-road capabilities in the utmost comfort.

Sadayoshi  Koyari, Chief Engineer commented, “I am proud to be part of this launch and to announce the release of the new 2012 Land Cruiser, a vehicle that has inherited and evolved the traits and qualities that have made it the King of the 4WD. Toyota appreciates the expectations that its customers have with every model change and is determined to exceed those expectations by continuously improving the car’s driving capabilities and looks”.

At the opening of the event, Simon Frith said: “The Land Cruiser has an enduring relationship with the people of this nation. It is actually “The Pride of the Land”. Emiratis have even given the Land Cruiser pick- up a special name Abu Shanab. This clearly demonstrates the intimacy this brand has with the people living in the UAE.”

He added:  “Last year, Al-Futtaim Motors celebrated the car’s 60^th anniversary. Thanks to the intrinsic value the Land Cruiser has created for those in the UAE, the sales have risen steadily since its launch and we hope to see several milestones ahead for this car to maintain it as first choice for our customers.”

The 2012 Land Cruiser features several changes inspired by evolving customer demands and continues the legacy of being one of the most popular off-roading vehicles in the region. Fresh elements to Land Cruiser’s exterior and interior design continues to convey a rugged yet luxurious image while delivering high performance and durability aided greatly with new technology for advanced off-roading.

Newly rugged exterior with a modern taste

It is at the front of the vehicle that the external styling changes on the new 2012 Land Cruiser are most evident, yet still reflecting the heritage of the Land Cruiser identity. The front bumper has been redesigned with enlarged overhangs, creating a much thicker front bumper that expresses the Land Cruiser’s power. The radiator grill has been redesigned to create a much rounder surface; a design which creates a powerful and finely-crafted image. The headlamps have been modified with HID low beams and integrated LED lights in the front of the vehicle. The 2012 Land Cruiser also comes with the option of a swing back door, with the aim of enhancing accessibility to the 3^rd row seats. The wheels have been redesigned, with larger 18in aluminum wheels. Other changes include LED positioning lights incorporated within the headlights and chrome finished sides to the front and rear combination clusters and wider wheel flares. The 2012 Land Cruiser also comes in three new colours: White, Attitude Black and Light Blue.

Brighter and luxurious cabin

Changes made to the 2012 Land Cruiser cabin focus on heightening the level of quality in the look and feel of the interior, and improving the ergonomics and functionality for the controls and switchgear. A new lighter interior colour has been introduced, matched with high-gloss wood grain trim elements and bright silver finish details. Extensive changes have been made to the dashboard layout to express a sense of security and enhanced visibility. The AC vent is also plated creating a more luxurious atmosphere. The steering wheel with a wood grain/leather combination is available and larger wheel switches have been adopted to enhance ease of use, along with a larger transmission shift knob, door handles and audio switches. Air conditioned seats have also been added.

Excellent driving performance with the revolutionary Turn Assist System

The ability to tackle the toughest off-road conditions has been fundamental to all Land Cruiser models and with the 2012 model Toyota has harnessed advanced technologies to extend the vehicle’s capabilities even further.

The raft of new handling features includes the newly introduced Turn Assist, which works in conjunction with the Crawl Control function, in addition to the new 5 mode Multi-terrain select (MTS) replacing the existing 3 mode system and Multi-terrain Monitor. The all new Turn Assist System enhances turning ability and minimizes the driver’s effort in tight U-turns where K-turns are necessary, by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel. The monitor is used in conjunction to help drivers observe their surrounds through front, side and rear cameras.

The Multi-terrain Monitor consisting of 4 cameras (Front; rear; right side; left side) captures peripheral images and displays them on the Electro Multi Vision ( EMV) along with warning messages.

The suspension of the Land Cruiser has been revamped, with a newly designed independent double wishbone type front suspension, and uprated coil springs all round have been inserted to dramatically improve handling both on and off road whilst maintaining riding comfort and the strength to withstand the most rigorous use.

The 2012 Land Cruiser will be available in UAE with the choice of 5-speed Automatic or 6-speed Manual on improved 4.0L Engine with 271 HP in Dual VVT-i, and 6 speed Automatic transmission coming with a newly developed 4.6L V8 Engine with 304 HP in Dual VVT-I, and also in 5.7L V8 Engine.

Advanced Utility Features

The 2012 Land Cruiser features new Utility features such as USB/AUX Terminal for external audio devices, advanced Bluetooth communication compatibility and a hands free feature for safer driving, a rear seat entertainment system and a back and clearance sonar that notifies the driver of obstacles around the vehicle.

Advanced Comfort features

The Land Cruiser comes luxuriously equipped, with features that include Smart Key keyless entry with push-button start that allows the driver to unlock or start the vehicle without inserting a conventional key; cruise control; auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors; AC 220 V Accessory Socket mounted in the luggage compartment to power household electronics and DC12V accessory sockets available on the front and rear consoles

Safety

For the driver and passenger peace-of-mind the new Land Cruiser now has 10 standards airbags: driver and front passenger dual-stage advanced airbags; front- and second-row seat-mounted side airbags; and three-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags with a roll-sensing cutoff switch and new to the 2012 year model, driver and front passenger knee airbags;

The all new 2012 Land Cruiser will be available across all Al-Futtaim Motors Toyota showrooms in three different grades: EXR, GXR, VXR and with prices ranging from AED 195,000, to AED 305,000.

2011 ET ZigWheels Car of the Year2011 --MAHINDRA XUV5OO

The most talked about vehicle over the past year, even prior to its launch was Mahindra’s so-called global SUV which as everyone now knows manifested itself as the XUV500. The term global SUV is a misnomer for this is a vehicle which blurs the distinction between saloon, SUV or soft-roader and also MPV while being right on the ball as regards design and build, mechanicals and packaging, ride and handling, performance and fuel efficiency. However, what is important is that all these attributes which we mention are always a given for any decent car maker offering an all-new product.

But for Mahindra & Mahindra it was also a mighty challenge to move into mainstream automotive manufacturing courtesy the XUV500 breaking new ground as the firm’s first all-monocoque offering, the first Mahindra with a transverse engine layout driving the front wheels (of course an all-wheel drive offering is also part of the range) via a six-speed transaxle, again a first for the venerable jeep maker.

 

Dubai International Motor Show 2011 reported spectacular sales

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  Dubai International Motor Show 2011 has reported spectacular sales, drawing record crowds to not only admire, but also buy cars from some of the most impressive brands in the world. Shelby Supercars, who participated at the show purely to raise brand recognition, ended up selling a stunning ten Tuatara models valued at US$1.3 million (AED4.8 million) each.

The 11^th edition of the show generated deals across the board, with economy, mid-range, luxury and supercar exhibitors all reporting an excellent response in terms of footfall, leads and sales, with many describing their results on a par with the Motor Show boom year of 2007.

Jerod Shelby, founder of Shelby Supercars (SSC), said the results of exhibiting at the show were far greater than he could have imagined: “This has been a huge show for us – we’ve sold ten cars, which is phenomenal. Our expectation was nothing more than to create awareness of the brand in this region and find a distributor, but this has been amazing. The business has been outstanding.”

As the Dubai International Motor Show closed its doors on an exceptional show, the event’s global importance is becoming even more obvious to worldwide exhibitors: “Of all the trade shows I’ve been to around the world, this has been phenomenal. Breaking into a new market like this is a hard thing to do and this show has been outstanding in helping us to achieve that. The exhibition and the organisation has truly been world class,” said Alan Leverett, Chief Administrative Officer, Shelby. 

While the Shelby sales made a new record for supercars, the 2011 show has also been a sell-out success for many of the ultra-premium marques. Lamborghini, with the regional launch of the exceptional Aventador LP 700-4, was among one of the busiest in terms of both footfall and contracts, with well over AED17 million worth of sales conducted during the course of the show. 

“This year was an exceptional motor show for us, and the sales results were well above expectations. The world class quality and reputation of the Lamborghini brand fits in perfectly with many of the visitors to the show. To have sold 14 models from one of the most famous names in the motoring industry in five days is a credit both to our brand and to the world class quality of the Dubai motor show,” said Abdul Rehman Al Jaziri, Managing Director, Al Jaziri Motors, exclusive distributors of Lamborghinis in the UAE. 

For Porsche, the star of the show was the redesigned 911 Carrera, which took centre stage on a stand with some of the marque’s latest models. George Wills, Managing Director of Porsche Middle East and Africa, said the show had been a great platform: “As a result of a very busy show for Porsche, we now have bulging order book for this truly head-turning vehicle.” 

With many manufacturers witnessing unprecedented levels of interest in their latest models and groundbreaking technologies during the five day event, the show has reflected a phenomenal year of growth for the automotive industry in the region. 

Over 100,000 visitors streamed into the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre over the course of the show which covered more than 60,000 m² of exhibition space with 150 companies participating from over 30 countries.

“The sales from this year’s Dubai International Motor Show have surpassed the expectations of many of the exhibitors and reflect the extremely high level of consumer confidence across the GCC in general and the UAE in particular. From mid-size family saloons to some of the unique supercars, we have seen some of the highest volumes of sales on the stands in recent years and the number of worldwide launches and regional premieres illustrate the show’s significance to the international motoring industry,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event. 

With an impressive nine global launches and more than 50 regional premiers, the five day extravaganza included the latest and greatest from some of the world’s most well-known motoring brands, including  Audi, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Peugeot, Renault, Rolls Royce, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. 

"It is a reflection of the importance of the Middle East market for General Motors that a vehicle as important as TrailBlazer is making its global debut at this show,” said John Stadwick, President and Managing Director of GM Middle East Operations.

Given that the Middle East luxury car segment is forecast to double by 2015, high-end manufacturers were keen to connect with the receptive target audience the show is famed for attracting. With sales signed and sealed on almost every single stand, manufacturers were unanimous in their praise for the show. 

Commenting on BMW Group’s participation, Joerg Breuer, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East said:  “The Motor Show was a well-organised event that was extremely successful for both our BMW and MINI brands in terms of visitor’s response and sales. For BMW, we sold almost all our BMW Individual Series Limited Edition cars produced to celebrate the UAE’s 40^th anniversary.” 

Manufacturers in the mid-range segment were equally buoyed by the phenomenal success of the show this year. Mark Kass, Regional Managing Director, Al-Futtaim outlined the highlights of the show for Japanese manufacturer Honda:  “It has been an extremely successful Motor Show for us at Honda – both in terms of the visitor turnout and sales leads. We revealed the 2012 Honda Pilot and Honda City, models that have been the mainstay of not just the brand, but have been cars of choice for thousands of UAE residents.” 

French automaker Peugeot reported keen interest from a broad range of visitors and brisk trading.  Jeremy Weatherill, Divisional Manager for the company said:  “Dubai International Motor Show was a highly successful event for Peugeot – we sold over 100 Peugeot 207 models at the show itself.”

Simon Frith, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Toyota agreed: “The Dubai International Motor Show is the biggest event for the industry in the Middle East. Over the years it has become a platform that enables us to interact with customers from different age groups and backgrounds in a totally different way than the classic showroom visits.” 

With visitors thronging the halls from the very first hour of opening, exhibitors enjoyed record crowds with genuine interest on their respective stands.  Chrysler’s Managing Director, Jack Rodencal commented: “We are very pleased with the number of visitors this year. Dubai International Motor Show is the best platform to showcase our unique models, with sales at an all time high.”

Exhibitors from all corners of the world, and all segments of the industry, were impressed by the bi-annual automotive event and many have already committed to attend the next edition in 2013. 

James Thomas, General Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communications at AW Rostamani, official distributors for Nissan, Infiniti and MG said:  “From both a sales and communications standpoint we are delighted with the metrics achieved at this year’s show.  With well over 1,000 serious enquiries across the brands we represent, we look forward to another successful edition in 2013.”

Ara Sahakian, Managing Partner of Off-Road Zone and recently appointed distributors of Brembus, the world leader in design, development and production of high performance brake systems, said: “This is the first time we have participated in the Dubai Motor Show and it has exceeded all expectations in terms of response from car enthusiasts, racing professionals and the trade from within the UAE and the GCC. We look forward to participating again.” 

The next edition of the region’s largest and most influential motoring event will take place in 2013, with the world’s major manufacturers already in the planning stages for another opportunity to showcase their latest models to a key market.

Dubai International Motor show 2011 BMW pictures