Lexus tunes up with 31,000 plus regional sales

The Middle East continues to be a fertile ground for Lexus which recorded a 50 per cent plus increase in sales volumes to 31,288 units last year. The LX range – helped by a redesign for the flagship LX570 - was the main driver by accounting for 47 per cent. The line-up was also helped by the introduction of the all-new ES models.

Shift Leasing gets an ISO certification

The ISO 9001:2008 has come calling on Shift Leasing & Car Rental. The company – which was rated ‘best rent a car’ operator by the Road & Transport Authority - has raised the fleet size to more than 4,000 vehicles available across six locations in the UAE. Michel Ayat, CEO of AWRostamani Automotive, received the certificate from Brian Baxter, a representative of Lloyds Register Quality Assurance.

Gargash takes aim with CLS Shooting Brake

Gargash Enterprises, the local Mercedes dealership, has brought the new CLS Shooting Brake models to its showroom. The second-generation series, first introduced in 2004, offers two engine variants in the V6 and V8. Both come with a seven-speed automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function as standard. Two models with in all-wheel drive format are also available. “The car has a great mass appeal for those wanting the practicality of a big saloon but something more stylish,” said Wassim Derbi, Marketing Manager, Gargash Enterprises.

Sixth generation 3 Series earns its spurs

BMW continues its stellar run with the sixth-generation 3 Series, which was launched a year ago. Lebanon was one of the largest Middle East markets in terms of BMW 3 Series sales in 2012, seeing volumes up by 128 per cent, while Qatar saw gains of 51 per cent. The 3 Series is the first BMW model to be available in three different lines - Modern, Sport and Luxury.

Arabian Automobiles launches Sentra sales

Arabian Automobiles has launched sales of the all-new Nissan Sentra, which has a base price of Dh57,500. Sentra is Nissan’s newest model in the 1.6- to 1.8-litre compact sedan segment. The C segment happens to be the most competitive and where Nissan currently claims leadership status with a 30 per cent share in 2012. The Sentra is also the fifth all-new model the carmaker introduced in the last 12 months.