SAMSUNG

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, launched its “innovative” Smart TV line up at an event in Jeddah’s Mall of Arabia last week. Samsung’s launch came in line with its willingness to present to the consumers a hands-on experience, whereby mall visitors had the privilege of being the first in the Kingdom to experience the features and capabilities of these advanced sets. Samsung’s line of Smart TVs allows users to simply search for content they wish to view by typing in keywords, searching for the content and select what interests them from the results everything from broadcasted channels, movies, YouTube clips, updated news streams from the web and even personal content can be delivered and displayed on the screen using the Samsung Internet@TV and AllShare features. J. C. Park, GM, Samsung Electronics, Saudi Arabia, said: “Imagine a television that can actually think and engage with viewers. That time has come. Samsung’s continuous innovations that combine advanced technology and "smart" features offer a more creative and recreational sense toward Samsung’s concept of a ‘"Smart Life" all embedded into a perfected and unique television. Adnan Matbouli, CEO, United Matbouli Group, Saudi Arabia, said: “We hope that this product will not only meet but exceed consumer satisfaction as well, to provide them with a new dimension of home entertainments that offers comfort and convenience at the same time.”
 
APSCO/MOBIL

The Arabian Petroleum Supplies Company (APSCO), manufacturer of Mobil oil in Saudi Arabia, has spearheaded a campaign to raise the public awareness about various issues related to the use of oils and lubricants, including fake lubricants that cause malfunctioning and damage to engines and machinery. The most dangerous commercial fraud and counterfeit is the imitation of a brand and a well-known product package in order to market low quality product with hazardous health implications and may cause substantial property loss. The widespread use of adulterated car engine oils threatens the safety of people using cars and adversely affects brand owners and their dealers. In this context, Mobil Oil has been building strong relationship with all users of lubricating oils such as owners of means of transport, owners of heavy machinery and owners of large factories over the past several years. The company claims that Mobil Oil is the world’s most advanced lubricant and has been developed to work efficiently under different work conditions “Aside from its high performance, Mobil Oil maintains the cleanliness of the engine, protects it from corrosion and reduces its temperature. What’s more, Mobil oils have the lowest evaporation rate hence it reduces the consumption of oil and this, in turn, cuts the expenses of changing engine oil,” the company stated. In Saudi Arabia, Mobil oils are subject to continual development as the manufacturing plant is associated with ExxonMobil research and development centers. These are the world’s most advanced R&D centers, which are staffed by a group of skilled scientists who work to offer the “best in motor lubricants industry.”
 
TOYOTA

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) recently announced that global sales of its hybrid vehicles have passed the three million mark. Currently Toyota sells 16 hybrid vehicle models in approximately 80 countries including 14 countries across the Middle East. TMC plans to introduce 10 new-model hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012, including six newly launched vehicles and four vehicles that have been redesigned. “The fact that sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles have reached more than 3.03 million units indicates that hybrids have now entered the mainstream,” said TMC’s Bahrain Representative Office. “The year-on-year sales increase shows that worldwide there is an increasing demand for hybrid vehicles that have high fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major cause of environmental pollution and climate change.” Toyota pioneered hybrid technology back in 1997 with the launch of the “Coaster Hybrid EV” in August followed by the “Prius” in December. Toyota has continued to expand its hybrid systems on such vehicles as minivans, SUVs, rear-wheel-drive sedans and hatchbacks. Faisal Abdalla, VP, Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ), which is representing TMC in Saudi Arabia since 1955 as sole distributor of Toyota brands, said: “Toyota hybrids set the benchmark for cars of the future and have made a tremendous difference to the way cars are designed and the expectations drivers have in the 21st century. As more drivers seek reliable, fuel-efficient cars that provide environmentally responsible transportation, Toyota plans to offer a hybrid powertrain in every model by the 2020s.”
 
 
TAMKEEN TOWER

Al-Rajhi Holding group is constructing Tamkeen Tower, one of the highest towers in Riyadh, which is nearing completion. The company is executing the project through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tamkeen Real Estate Development Co. Situated between King Fahd Road and Olaya Street, known as the most important artery in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Tamkeen Tower is expected to be ready in the third quarter of 2011. Tamkeen Tower has 58 floors in addition to 4 basement levels providing parking for 1,200 cars. In addition, there are ground and mezzanine floors with offices and showrooms and an auditorium. The views from within Tamkeen Tower through its glass facade, designed to global standards and supplied by CladTech Company at a cost of SR60 million, are breathtaking and unprecedented as one can see the major landmark developments taking place north of Riyadh. Tamkeen Tower stands tall as a gateway landmark from the north, and welcomes visitors entering Riyadh’s expanding business center. Olat Properties Management (OPM), the marketer of Tamkeen Tower, has presented studies of the real estate market as well as its current developments through a field survey and precise statistics. These statistics have been utilized methodically by Tamkeen Real Estate Development Co. to position and launch Tamkeen Tower with a marketing plan. OPM is organizing the launch. The study focuses on the general position of the office sector in Riyadh City, with the mechanism to achieve the objectives of this project and setting a marketing strategy that is executively linked to Tamkeen Tower in order to achieve the owner’s investment objectives.