Western Auto, the name well established for quality transport solution in the Kingdom, is a member of ETA Star conglomerate with its headquarters in Dubai. It is the exclusive distributor of the state of art ASHOK LEYLAND range of commercial vehicles in the Kingdom.
Ashok Leyland is the flagship brand of the Hinduja Group. One of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in India, Ashok Leyland has been moving people and goods for over six decades.
Ashok Leyland carries over 70 million passengers every day; close to 700,000 vehicles bearing the Ashok Leyland badge. The company has seven manufacturing units spread pan-India and installed capacity for 150,000 vehicles per annum. Ashok Leyland has overseas manufacturing facilities at Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) and Prague (Czech Republic) and a joint venture in Srilanka- Lanka Ashok Leyland (LAL). AVIA Ashok Leyland Motors (AALM), headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic represents the company’s European presence where the famous D- Series trucks are manufactured for the markets of Hungary, Ireland, Spain and Middle East. Ashok Leyland is also the only auto major in India to have been awarded the ISO/TS 16949 Corporate Certification.
In 2007, Western Auto was appointed the authorized importer and dealer of the Ashok Leyland buses and trucks in Saudi Arabia.
“Right from the very beginning Western Auto in the kingdom has been focusing on strategically placing the Ashok Leyland models in the market. The range, the pricing and the facility work hand in hand to establish the brand, helping well acceptance across the Kingdom” with world class showroom and service center.
Western Auto showrooms in Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh are supported by a strong team of professionals in workshops, Mobile Service Units, extensive service and spare parts facilities. Since 2007, it has been successful in meeting the growing demand for industrial transport solutions in cities like Jubail, Dammam, Khobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Yanbu, Rabig and Ras Tanura.
“In a very short span Ashok Leyland has established itself as the primary choice for commercial transport not only at the construction sites but also in school, staff transportation segments, including rent a cars like Hanco, Best Rent A Car, Al Jazira Rent A Car, etc. Ashok Leyland Buses are well accepted in Kingdom for its quality and low maintenance operational cost.
Ashok Leyland buses are widely accepted and running successfully with all major Saudi Aramco Contractors, these buses are as per the specification of Saudi Aramco, Ministry of Transport and Health.
Supported by efficient technicians and well equipped workshop with spare parts, Ashok Leyland is commanding top-of-mind choice among customer.
For enhancing customer and cater their needs, Western Auto is expanding its service network with Modern workshop in Jubail and Yanbu, and opening biggest workshop in Riyadh to cater the growing demand of Central region
Western Auto, the quality transport solutions provider, views the tie-up with Ashok Leyland as an opportunity to provide Quality that is affordable too, supported by service and warranty — ASHOK LEYLAND, No.1 Choice for staff transport and present market leader in KSA,” says GM Sales — Western Auto.
Moving people for six decades
Moving people for six decades
The secret keepers of desert balance in Saudi Arabia
- How the Kingdom’s wildcats control pests, protect public health, and sustain the ecosystem
RIYADH: During the summer of 2024, two desert lynx kittens were born in Taif as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect and increase the population of caracals in the country.
Although caracals are critically endangered, wildcats in general play a significant ecological role in the Kingdom. They act as natural pest control, and Saudi Arabia is committed to conserving these species while increasing their populations to support a thriving ecosystem.
Despite the Kingdom’s harsh, arid climate, conditions are suitable for wildcats not only to survive but also to flourish. Among the terrestrial species inhabiting Saudi Arabia are sand cats, Arabian wildcats, and the desert lynx.
Felis margarita, or sand cats, are small — around 40-60 cm — with pale sandy fur that allows them to blend into the desert. They have a broad head, large ears, and long hair on the bottom of their feet to walk on hot sand.
“It is small in size and does not mate with other cats. It is the only cat species in the world with hair on the soles of its feet instead of skin to prevent it from sinking into the sand,” said Obaid Alouni, a Saudi environmentalist.
Alouni explained that one defensive technique sand cats use is to lie flat on the ground to avoid detection.
“It lies flat on the ground when it senses danger to avoid being noticed by other animals.”
These cats primarily feed on rodents and small reptiles, occasionally large insects, obtaining their water from their prey. Sand cats are native to West Asia and help regulate rodent and insect populations, preventing outbreaks and reducing disease spread.
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Interestingly, raising sand cats as domestic pets is becoming more popular, Alouni said. But he emphasized that adoption is easier when they are kittens, as they remain wild animals. Although widely distributed across the Kingdom, exact population numbers are difficult to determine due to their elusive nature. They are currently listed as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Similar to sand cats, Arabian wildcats (Felis lybica) are found across the Arabian Peninsula and play a vital role in environmental health.
“They are wild cats that live independently without human intervention,” Alouni told Arab News.
Arabian wildcats resemble domestic cats but have thicker, sandy to grey-brown coats with faint stripes or spots and ringed tails with blunt tips. Like sand cats, they feed on rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects and are listed as “least concern” by the IUCN.
However, Alouni warned that pure populations of Arabian wildcats in Saudi Arabia could be threatened by hybridization with domestic cats.
“Currently, wild cats face the problem of interbreeding with domestic cats. This weakens their immune systems and makes them more susceptible to diseases from other cats,” he said.
“This contributes to the extinction of the purebred lineage and, consequently, the disappearance of their wild instincts,” he added.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Sand cats are the only cat species with hair on the soles of their feet, allowing them to walk on hot sand without sinking.
• Caracals, locally known as Al-Washaq, are native and endangered, capable of jumping 3 to 4 meters in a single leap.
• Pure populations of the Arabian wildcat are at risk due to hybridization with domestic cats.
While both species are desert dwellers, sand cats are harder to spot as they avoid heavily trafficked areas. They are mainly found in the Ad Dahna desert and the Empty Quarter, where sand dunes dominate the landscape. Arabian wildcats, however, inhabit rocky or mountainous areas such as the Tuwaiq Mountains, valleys, and farms with abundant small prey.
“Wild cats come around towns and villages, and unfortunately, begin mating with domesticated cats that people release outside,” Alouni explained. He stressed the importance of keeping domestic cats away from wildcat habitats, including deserts and camping sites.
The third wildcat species native to Saudi Arabia, the caracal or desert lynx, is critically endangered. “The lynx is classified in size between large and small, and is distinguished by its jump, which can reach 3 meters or even 4 meters in the sky,” Alouni described.
Locally known as Al-Washaq, desert lynx have reddish-tan coats, long legs, and black-tufted ears. They feed on birds, rodents, and sometimes small antelopes. Thankfully, these cats are protected under Saudi law due to their critically endangered status.
Hunting any sand cats, Arabian wildcats, or desert lynx can result in fines of approximately $20,000, according to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
“There is a very severe financial penalty in Saudi Arabia for anyone who hunts it,” Alouni added.
The Kingdom has strict regulations to protect endangered animals, criminalizing not only hunting or killing but also trade. Violators could face penalties of up to $8 million, up to 10 years in prison, or both.
Overall, sand cats, Al-Washaq, and Arabian wildcats are essential to maintaining a healthy environment in Saudi Arabia. By controlling rodent populations, they help prevent outbreaks that could threaten agriculture and public health.
