While families have been heading to supermarkets to stock up on food, car lovers have been checking out the latest models at local showrooms, say salespeople here.

A sales executive for a major car company along Thalateen Street told Arab News that most visitors inquire about 2015 models. Buyers are particularly fascinated by push-button cars, he told Arab News on Sunday.

He said this type of car can be opened and started by pushing a button, while the driver has the key in his pocket. His company deals in Japanese cars.

“This technology is not new. However, it is new for our brand’s new model,” he said.

He said two customers would get delivery of their cars as soon as the company approves their applications. The new features on such cars have increased the monthly installment from about SR1,299 to SR1,699 without a down payment.

“The increase in monthly installments does not seem to make any difference to them because they are fascinated by the new features,” he said.

A Filipino doctor at a local hospital, Randolf Perez, said that he was planning to sell his car and buy one with this push-button feature.

An adjoining showroom dealing in Korean cars also offers a push-button car but requires a SR6,000 down payment on an installment plan.

“Before Ramadan, there were only a few people who visited us to inquire about cars but we’ve had many inquiries lately. It’s because our push-button cars are not only cheap but also stylish, compared to other brands,” said an Arab sales consultant.

Salah El-Yafi, a retail consultant for a company on Khurais Road, said that many customers visited the showroom since the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

“Many of them are serious buyers and we offered them various options. The others merely wanted to be updated on our latest models,” he said. The company sells American cars.