Life & Style | Motoring
'Green' cars make their way to Gulf market
For many GCC residents, the fuel-efficiency of their car is a minor consideration compared to its acceleration, top speed or off-road performance.
- By Robert Ditcham, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:09 November 16, 2007
- Mitsubishi Outlander on display at the Middle East International Road Show.
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
Dubai: For many GCC residents, the fuel-efficiency of their car is a minor consideration compared to its acceleration, top speed or off-road performance.
Fuel prices in the region are a fraction of those in Europe, large-engined cars are not taxed heavily and automakers have yet to push their environmentally-friendly concepts in the region.
But 'green' issues have been hitting the headlines in the GCC this year, especially in the property and construction industry, prompting manufacturers to eye growing demand for hybrids, bio-fuel engines and, at a later date, fuel-cell technology.
General Motors (GM) heavily promoted its Tahoe Hybrid, the first full-size hybrid SUV shown in the Middle East, and its Chevrolet Volt Concept, the company's first plug-in hybrid vehicle, during the International Motor Show in Dubai.
Maureen Kempston Darkes, GM Group vice-president and president, GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East, said regional governments have a key role to play in providing the infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles to become viable.
"Fuel suppliers, governments and vehicle manufacturers need to work together to make this a reality. We can build the vehicle and develop the technology but ultimately you need an infrastructure to serve it," she said.
The Tahoe Hybrid, a two-mode full hybrid version of Chevrolet's full-size SUV, applies to both petrol and diesel engines. When the Tahoe is at low speed and with light loads, it can run in three ways using electric power only, engine power only or in any combination of engine and electric power.
Darkes gave no hint as to when GM's fuel cell cars will arrive in Middle East show rooms, but said the company is keen to test the concept "in all major markets".
"We have a fleet of fuel- cell vehicles running in the US, Europe and China and are putting them in a real world environment where citizens give us their reaction to the experience. We will continue to run these tests, to verify the technology and work out what infrastructure is needed to support it," she said.
Mohammad Bennani, managing director of Renault GCC, said car makers are already readying themselves for the moment that regional demand for environmentally friendly vehicles kicks off.
"Vehicle safety was once not so much of an issue. Now it is a huge issue and I'm sure the same will happen with environmental concerns. When this region becomes fully aware of the importance of environmental preservation, Renault will be ready with its cars," he said.
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