Aljomaih Automotive Company (AAC), described as the largest GM dealer in the Middle East, was awarded four regional marketing awards at a function held in Dubai recently. AAC won four first places in five categories. Present were Maureen Kempston-Darkes, GM president for Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and GM’s principle dealers and management. Categories were “Best Test Drive Campaign” which offered free meals for Friday test drives, “Best Retention/Loyalty Campaign (two winners),” Direct Mail Campaign’ in which AAC showcased key models and services and “Most Socially Responsible for participation in the Aramco Safety Week.” AAC Vice Chairman & CEO Ibrahim Aljomaih congratulated the company’s marketing team and Dammam management for the achievement.
LG
A joint venture LG-Shaker Air-Conditioning Factory has been established in Riyadh, following the signing of an agreement between LG Electronics and Ibrahim Shaker Company. “This kind of investment signifies the Kingdom’s strong economy and its capability to promote industries,” Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Governor Amr Al-Dabbagh told a press conference. “SAGIA welcomes national and overseas investors to promote such ventures so as to reach the Kingdom’s export market across the region,” he said, adding that the strategic location of the Kingdom should be exploited by investors and exporters to offer products and services worldwide. LG’s Air-Conditioning division head H.Y. Nho and Hussain Shaker, CEO, Ibrahim Shaker Co. also spoke.
PANASONIC
Panasonic’s newly launched AG-HVX200, described as the world’s first hand-held high definition solid-state memory camcorder, won the “Camera of the Year Award” at the second Digital Studio Industry Leadership Awards 2006 held on the sidelines of Cabsat 2006 in Dubai recently. The camcorder combines multiple high definition and standard definition formats, multiple recording modes and variable frame rates, and the vast benefits of P2 solid-state memory recording in a rugged, compact design. “Since the launch of the HVX200, we’re confident that it would be an attention-grabber, as it’s loaded with a host of features, powerful capabilities and exceptional image quality, Ono Asahiko, GM, System Solutions, Panasonic Marketing Middle East, said.
UPC
United Properties Company (UPC) has completed one of its latest projects, Al-Roshan Mall as part of Savola’s real estate investment. The mall is situated at the Globe Roundabout in Jeddah and covers a 60,000 sq ft area. Built at an estimated cost of SR200 million, the mall is known for its wide variety of spacious shops, brands, Hyper Panda as well as a large assortment of restaurants, games and fun activities for the entire family. UPC’s marketing team and leasing agents took the slightest details into consideration and made sure that the mall maintains a harmonious mix and environment, with its variety of shops and brands. “The project offers many facilities, including for those with special needs, parking space for 1,700 cars and security,” Mohammed Al-Jared, VP, Design and Development said.
SAUDI BUILDING
Many national and international exhibitors signed new deals and contracts during the five-day Saudi Building Industries Exhibition that held in Jeddah last week. The event, visited by 10,000 businessmen and professionals, reflected the ongoing construction boom across the Kingdom and elsewhere in the Gulf. “We did reasonably good business,” Malaysia’s Sterline Crown Company MD Mohamad Afzal said. Turkey had a strong presence with 11 companies representing different sectors of construction industry exhibiting their products and services. “Saudi Arabia has a lot of business potential and Jeddah being its financial capital the exhibition was very important for us,” said Ozgur Sofuoglu, director of international projects, ADG Trade Fairs Turkey. The response was good, he said.
RENAULT
The Clio III — “European car of the year” for 2006, which is expected to arrive in the Kingdom in the second half of 2006, leads Renault’s line-up of eight models with five-star Europe NCAP rating, an accolade of safety. “Safety is Renault’s top priority and we’re pleased that Euro NCAP results confirm Renault’s achievements being the top car manufacturer with eight of our models achieving the top safety rating in such a short span,” said Yousuf Khaja, head of marketing at Zahid Tractor, the exclusive dealer of Renault in Saudi Arabia. The Renault models receiving the European NCAP’s five-star safety rating are the Laguna II, Megane II, Vel Satis, Espace IV, Scenic II, Megane Coupe Cabriolet and Modus. Six of eight models are marketed in the Kingdom, with the seventh, Clio III to follow soon.
LANGE & SOHNE
Datograph-Perpetual Frontal and Lifestyle are among this year’s new watches from A. Lange & Sohne that were premiered at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, which ended on Sunday after a week long run. The watches with Lange movement (caliber L952.1) can be manually wound. It has flyback chronograph with precisely jumping minute counter as well as perpetual calendar with outsize date, moon-phase display, day-of-week, month, leap-year display, small seconds hand with stop seconds and day/night indicator. Its features include plates and bridges made of untreated German silver, balance cock engraved by hand. A three-part platinum case with anti-reflection-coated sapphire-crystal glass and case-back, are among the other features.
