Sales of ACDelco maintenance-free batteries have increased to 432,000 units, marking a 39.4 percent during the first quarter of 2005, compared to the same period of last year. The announcement was made at the Automechanika Gulf exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Center, where ACDelco displayed a selection of its line of “all makes, all models” range of products, including the maintenance-free batteries that are produced in Saudi Arabia by the Middle East Battery Company (MEBCO). These results continue to reflect the strong position ACDelco’s maintenance-free batteries enjoy in the market, particularly after the announcement earlier this year of more than of 1.5 million maintenance-free battery sales in 2004. The company, which has produced more than five million ACDelco batteries since it was set up as the Middle East’s first maintenance-free battery production facility, focuses on serving all makes and all models. “These batteries are truly unique,” said MEBCO’s Sales & Marketing Manager John Grant. “They are the only batteries that are 100 percent maintenance free. These batteries never need water or acid as they are sealed and cannot be tampered with. It is no wonder then that it is the largest selling battery brand in the Middle East, with a market share of 30 percent.”
Budget Rent A Car
Budget Rent A Car, the Kingdom’s largest car rental company, is sponsoring a “Scratch and Win” promotion. Customers have a chance to win millions of riyals worth of prizes, including 18 new cars, 50 TV sets, 50 DVD players, three laptops and 10 refrigerators in addition to other prizes. The “Scratch and Win” will close on June 15 after running for 105 days. M. S. A. Quraishi, regional manager for Budget Rent A Car, hosted a reception to congratulate the winners for May. The reception was attended by Abdul Fattah M. S. Sharaf, another Budget regional manager and Muneer Qureshi, manager for lease and corporate accounts. Quraishi said that “this car rental company has also offered 25 washing machines and four airline tickets to Dubai besides many other incentives to customers during this summer promotional program”. “Budget Car Rental System of Saudi Arabia, initiated by the Zahid Group and promoted under the leadership of Abdulillah A. Zahid over the last 26 years, has established a network of 64 locations in the Kingdom”, said Quraishi, while giving an overview of the company. He pointed out that Budget has the largest and the most modern fleet in the Kingdom comprising luxury, 4x4, full size, intermediate, compact and economy cars to suit every travel need. Its fleet size of more than 10,000 vehicles of different makes such as Mercedes, BMW, Ford, GM, Mercury, Volvo, Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Mazda is the most diverse fleet in the Kingdom.
Carrier
Carrier has launched its new state-of-the-art air-conditioning “invention” across Saudi Arabia. Seminars were held in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah to introduce the system that were attended by over 600 HVAC specialists including consultants, contractors, engineers, dealers, end-users, as well as representatives from hospitals, schools, banks, and hyper markets. Carrier’s international Sales Director Peter Beale explained how the UV-C technology helps to enhance the indoor air quality by eliminating objectionable odor named “dirty socks” syndrome and provides occupants a healthy and hygienic air to breathe. It further reduces pressure drops across the coils, improves airflow, creates greater temperature differential and consequently improves the air-conditioning performance, and saves substantial energy consumption. Jamal Fahim, manager, special projects, presented the newly introduced “aquasnap chiller” with ozone-friendly PURON refrigerant and its unique modularity and all-in-one design that facilitates installation in minutes. Carrier Corporation, founded by air-conditioning inventor Dr. Willis H. Carrier spends almost $100 million annually on R&D. With its operations in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Makkah, Madinah and Jubail, Carrier has a comprehensive geographical coverage in the in the Kingdom.
