Following the recent launch of the all-new Picanto city car, Kia is introducing a three-door version to the line-up for the first time since the model appeared in 2004. The distinctively styled Kia Picanto 3-door, with a new range of trim levels, has gone on sale in the UK already. The new car has a unique, sporty character while still managing to deliver the same, seemingly contradictory, upgrades as the more family-focused five-door: Stronger performance with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the safety and luxury features of a large car without an outrageous price tag, and practicality within a compact package. If the five-door Picanto is ‘the small car, grown up’, then the three-door is the same but with a twinkle in its eye. City-car sales — referred to as the A-segment in Europe — are increasing all over the world as the costs of buying and owning cars get more prohibitive and many people are downsizing. Globally, the market for Picanto-sized cars in 2014 will be around 2.4 million. By 2015 — well within the second-generation Picanto’s life cycle — that will have grown to 3.3 million. Around a million of these will be three-door cars. Without a three-door model, Kia would have nothing to offer 30 percent of buyers in one of the most dynamic sectors of the market. In the UK, the importance of the three-door car is even more pronounced. The dimensions of the three- and five-door Picanto are identical in order to ensure they enjoy the same levels of interior space and crash safety.In alignment with Kuwait Telecommunications Company, VIVA has show interest in this year’s Arabian Information and Communication Security Conference in Kuwait from Oct. 3-4, which will focus on security information in the presence of industry specialists. This is part of VIVA’s social activities. The conference is being held under the sponsorship of Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah. The event will include meetings, comprehensive seminars, informative lectures and panel discussions addressing numerous subjects, and will incorporate a specialized exhibition and related workshops for the associated companies. United Marketing & Organizing Exhibitions Company (UNIEXPO) will collaborate with the Central Agency of Information Technology to organize the event. Eager to stay proactive during the two-day event, VIVA has arranged for an educational activity on the first day of the conference and will present a research paper on “Security Risks of Mobile Devices and Laptops.” VIVA CEO Salman Al-Badran said: “The focus of the research paper is to embody the means of modern technology into the field of communication, and to identify the various security risks that may threaten individuals and communities through the abuse of such technical means. Information security is a major concern for our modern society and this conference will contribute to raising the level of awareness and importance of information security.” Four Saudi technicians of Juffali Automotive Company (JACO), sole dealer for Mercedes-Benz cars in Saudi Arabia, scored an excellence grade of 100 percent in the general competency test organized by Mercedes-Benz for its dealers’ technicians across the Middle East. The four — Mustafa Sulaiman Salman, Fahed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, Mohannad Abdullah Al-Balushi and Khalid Jilan Al-Bsisi — were honored by JACO in Jeddah. JACO rewarded them with scholarships for English language studies at a specialized institute in South Africa. Only 10 technicians out of 1,000 test participants across the region scored full marks. In all, 119 JACO technicians passed successfully, led by their supervising and engineering staff. Saudi national Khalid Abdulkadir Qarah of JACO was adjudged the best in maintenance center supervisor in a survey of Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the Middle East. Among engineers, in the competency assessment test covering 150 workshops of dealerships in the region, JACO staff won first eight places with four Saudi nationals among the toppers. Safi Kobeissi, GM, Juffali Automotive Co. (JACO), said the sweeping achievements of the Saudi employees were a matter of pride for the company. “This proves that Saudi youth are well qualified, sincere, determined to excel and ready to serve their country in the best possible manner,” Kobeissi said. “JACO’s strategy of providing top-class training for our Saudi staff has resulted in the highest standards of services for our clients in the Kingdom,” he added.MINI fans across the Middle East will descend upon the UAE to participate in one of the hottest events of the year taking place from Oct. 27-28. “The small premium car with the big personality will host Drive Out Loud,” described as the region’s biggest MINI festival. MINI owners and fans from all over the region will embark on a road trip from their home country to Abu Dhabi, arriving on Oct. 27. An exclusive evening gathering will be hosted at the Aloft Hotel in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center to welcome the regional MINI community. On Oct. 28, a jam-packed program of fun and excitement will kick off with the largest regional MINI convoy from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. The general public will then join in the fun at the Dubai Autodrome where they will be able to take part in a variety of exciting activities that will include track drives, stunt shows, driver trainings, parades, competitions, and historic and accessories exhibits. “Of course, MINI wouldn’t be MINI without urban art installations, fashion and music,” Sarah Klippert, MINI manager in the Middle East, said. “Whether you’re from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon or the UAE, jump into your MINI and connect with MINI fans from all over the region.” 'Drive out loud' will follow the format of the international MINI United and include a multitude of racing-themed activities and festival fun. The platform will be used for unveiling the new MINI Coupe, the first two-seater and the fifth model in the brand’s portfolio.Qatar Airways has continued its award-winning streak by retaining the Best Airline in the Middle East and Africa accolade at the 2011 Business Traveler Asia Pacific Awards. Voted by readers of the monthly magazine targeting frequent travelers, Qatar Airways beat stiff competition to pick up the award for the second year running at a ceremony in Hong Kong attended by leading figures from across the hospitality industry. Recently named Airline of the Year by industry audit Skytrax, Qatar Airways won the Business Traveler award for the first time last year. The award further recognizes the carrier’s strong commitment toward travel excellence as voted by the very people who regularly ply the skies on business travel trips — frequent flyers. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker said retaining the award reflected the company’s high standards of service and commitment to the traveling public. “We operate in one of the most competitive and dynamic markets. Winning this award amid the tremendous amount of competition is an honorable achievement and continues to highlight the importance of continuing to invest in products and services to ensure travelers have an experience to remember. Qatar Airways Country Manager Greater China, Jared Lee, who picked up the award on behalf of the airline, said: “This award is further testament to Qatar Airways’ success and growing appeal among customers, not only in the Asia Pacific region, but also around the world.”