• British brand MG has announced the launch of its new MG 360 in the Middle East, the first region in the world to market the brand’s exciting new model. The MG 360, now on sale across the region, offers a range of intelligent features and impressive interior flexibility and space. The MG 360 sports the brand’s new “silk modelling” design language. It offers a contemporary exterior look that is accentuated by the sleek side lines and ribbed bonnet.
• The 2017 Infiniti QX60, which was launched in the Middle East region last year, features additional enhancements that are aimed at empowering the driver with a more premium experience. The first in a host of upgrades is on the QX60’s power plant. The intelligent all-wheel drive vehicle features the powerful 3.5 liter V6 gasoline engine. Never compromising on convenience with the driver always in mind, the vehicle also comes equipped with the Motion Activated Liftgate. This technology allows the user to swipe his foot in a “kicking motion” under the rear bumper and this action causes the liftagate to open automatically — allowing for a true hands-free operation.
• The new 2017 GMC Sierra maintains the distinct and premium styling of GMC with an added focus on safety and connectivity technologies. From an engineering perspective, the Sierra’s safety technologies are designed to protect the driver and passengers before and during a collision. These features include Lane Keep Assist, which helps keep the truck in its lane with subtle steering corrections. Sierra’s IntelliBeam headlamp control automatically adjusts the high beams for oncoming traffic. In addition, the forward collision alert is intended to make drivers more aware of their surroundings by tracking the vehicle ahead using a forward-facing camera and a three-step visual and sound alert.
• Ford came up the winner in three different segments at the Middle East Car of the Year awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi. An extensive panel of judges awarded Ford’s new Edge the “Compact SUV” title for 2017. Ford Ranger claimed the “best midsize truck” award. To round off a stellar day, the inimitable compact Ford Figo took the crown for “best hatchback.”
MG 360 is launched in Middle East
MG 360 is launched in Middle East
Price cuts drive sales of Saudi-owned electric car
- Lucid delivers more vehicles than expected as it prepares to launch luxury new Gravity SUV
RIYADH: The majority Saudi-owned electric car maker Lucid delivered more vehicles than expected in the past three months as price cuts helped boost demand.
The company delivered 2,394 cars from April to June 30, above analysts’ predictions of 1,940.
Lucid produced 3,838 vehicles in the first six months of 2024 and needs to make more than 5,162 cars by end of the year to meet its annual output forecast of 9,000. It made 8,428 cars in 2023.
“I think at this point everything is shaping for them to achieve that,” said Andres Sheppard, senior equity analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald. Lucid will produce and deliver more cars in the second half of the year because of the usual seasonal effects on the industry, he said.
Demand for electric vehicles has grown more slowly than expected pace in the past year, under pressure from high borrowing costs, economic uncertainties and consumer preference for hybrid alternatives.
Lucid and the market leader Tesla have responded by slashing prices and offering incentives such as cheaper financing options. Lucid, which is 60-per-cent owned by the Public Investment Fund, the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, cut the price of its flagship Air model by 10 percent in February.
Its new Gravity SUV model, a rival for Tesla's Model X, goes into production this year and will cost about $80,000.
