Al-Jabr Automotive, sole distributor for KIA Motors in Saudi Arabia and a major business entity in the Kingdom, celebrated the launch of Kia Optima 2011 in Dammam recently. Abdul Latif Al-Jabr, chairman & CEO of Al-Jabr Automotive, and Brandon Yea, president, Kia Motors Corporation-Middle East and Africa were among those present. The all-new Optima features competitiveness and a completely fresh design embodying a bold, athletic and sporty visual energy. The Third-Generation Optima brings another high performance sporty sedan into the Kia product-line up. It is distinguished by a significantly longer wheelbase and offers much more space for passengers and cargo than the previous model. With the Optima 2011, Kia's global design team has created a vehicle with distinctive dimensions and proportions using an all-new platform and body shell. "The new Optima is expected to greatly increase Kia's share of the mid-size sedan market around the world," Al-Jabr said. Kia's product concept behind the creation of new Optima has focused on four key areas: Stand-out styling - a unique exterior with a driver-oriented interior, Class-leading Performance - down-sized but more efficient engines with six-speed transmissions, Superior Packaging - new, longer wheelbase platform and advanced features with high-tech options to boost Optima's status and Kia's brand identity. The all-New Optima is significantly sleeker than the previous model, enhancing refinement, performance and fuel economy.
Fast Auto Technic Co. Ltd., sole dealer of Ferrari Maserati cars in Saudi Arabia, celebrated the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT-S Awards Edition at the 2010 EXCS International Luxury Motor Show in Jeddah recently, which put a new level of standards for luxury cars. During the six years of the edition, the Maserati Quattroporte has received no less than 56 awards from the most prestigious automotive and lifestyle publications in fourteen countries. Six years after its birth, the car that created the luxury sport sedan segment continues to receive accolades from the general public, automobile enthusiasts and the media. Maserati has decided to celebrate its success with a superlative version, blending the elegance and sporty stylishness of the brand's flagship, thanks to the combination of highly refined details, handcrafted finishes and features with a decidedly sporty flair. The Quattroporte Sport GT S "Awards Edition", based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, aims to combine in one car all the features that have made the Trident flagship a benchmark for its segment. The unique and elegant styling, mixed with a hint of sporting flair due to the eye-catching features adopted on both the exterior and interior fittings. The driving enjoyment, because the "Awards Edition," is based on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, which boasts dynamic and top-class performance. Another aspect of high performance is the craftsmanship of the hand-finished details.
Emirates NBD, a major bank in the region, has included the recently launched Sadad government payment and refund services to its existing Sadad Utility Payment services. Customers can now make direct payments through Emirates NBD for a host of Saudi government services in addition to the existing facility that covers utility payments. "Emirates NBD takes great pride in extending the full range of Sadad payment services to its Saudi-based customers," said Mohammed Al-Hegelan, country manager for Saudi Arabia, Emirates NBD. "This initiative is in line with the bank's strategic focus on customer convenience, and will facilitate customers in carrying out their financial responsibilities with ease. Today's announcement also underscores the comprehensive nature of Emirates NBD's service offering in Saudi Arabia, which complies fully with the basic banking services outlined by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency." The service, which is available to personal, corporate and priority banking customers, includes payments and refunds for alien control, civil registration, driving license, motor vehicle, Saudi Passport, labor importation and traffic violation (payment only). Established in 2004, SADAD, the national Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) service provider for Saudi Arabia, aims to facilitate and streamline bill payment transactions of end consumers through the Kingdom's banks.
Longines' Ambassador of Elegance Kate Winslet recently presented the new additions to the Longines DolceVita collection along with Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Asian filmstar Chi Ling Lin. Combining steel with different colors of gold, these latest creations lend a new image to the paragon of watch-making elegance launched in 1997 that has proven highly popular ever since. The Swiss watchmaker's three-star ambassadors were wearing the new Longines DolceVita models during a gala evening at the Villa Miani high above the Eternal City, where a film featuring the three famous faces was shown for the first time. At a gala dinner held against the backdrop of the Villa Miani in the hills above Rome, Kate Winslet was welcomed to the family of Longines' Ambassadors of Elegance. The Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai and the Asian filmstar Chi Ling Lin joined the British filmstar, who won an Oscar for Best Actress in 2009. With an exemplary career so far, enriched by a variety of demanding and challenging roles, Kate Winslet is the perfect embodiment of the values that Longines promotes. Thanks to her contribution, the brand's watch-making elegance has gained a new dimension, illustrated by the latest additions to the Longines DolceVita collection that combine steel and different colors of gold. The guests at the dinner were further captivated when Kate Winslet, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Chi Ling Lin appeared in all their splendor.