IN THE past, the choice was between large luxury cars or small economy brands. In 2014, one can have a small luxury car with equipment that was once the domain of the prestige sedans.
The small car is back to dominate world markets and hopefully the trend will catch on in the Middle East too.
Conventional wisdom indicates that bigger cars are safer.
This is becoming a fallacy as small and medium-size cars regularly achieve five-star rating in the Euro-NCAP safety tests.
Small GTs can also accelerate faster with more agility than the best luxury barges.
The latest technology can easily be fitted in an Audi A3 or a BMW 1 series as in a top-of-range model of the same brands.
Ford can fit its SYNC system in a Fiesta as well as cruise control, air conditioning, power windows and premium audio and navigation systems.
For the up and coming generation, a small car is cool.
It is easier to park and drive, cheaper to run and grants its user some environmental credit no big car can ever give. In a small car you can have performance, safety, technology and connectivity.
Most small cars can be classified as “green cars” as they use less fuel and produce less CO2 emissions.
Modern small cars are also big on comfort and can transport four adults with ease.
A small car may make less sense in the GCC where fuel is cheap and large luxury cars are the norm, yet the trend is spreading from Europe to the US and other markets.
The sooner this trend is adopted in the Gulf the better for the regional environment.
It is the young generation who are likely to take this trend forward.
Governments too should encourage use of small cars, as a barrel of oil saved is a barrel exported at world prices.
— Adel Murad is a senior motoring and lifestyle journalist, based in London.
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Trends in 2014: Smaller is better!
Trends in 2014: Smaller is better!
Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza
- Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles
LONDON: A man in England has launched a demanding charity challenge to raise funds for children affected by the war in Gaza.
Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 3,680 km running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing.
He is raising money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian organization that provides healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.
“I have felt helpless day after day seeing images of countless children in Gaza with broken bodies and missing limbs and witnessing their unbearable suffering,” Watson said on his JustGiving page.
“I have been inspired by the courage of those who took part in the global sumud flotilla and all of the activists who have put their lives and freedom at risk supporting the Palestinian people and so I am raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
“My challenge is to complete a virtual sumud from Harlow, where I live, to Gaza. Running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing I will cover the 2,287 miles as quickly as I can.
“I am an unfit, overweight 63-year-old, so I’m not going to break any records, but the Arabic word Sumud means steadfastness and perseverance, and I will give it my all.
Watson added: “I hope to be joined by people I love and admire along the way, so please support my fundraiser. Every donation, however small, will help save the lives of Palestinians.”
As of Jan. 3, his fundraising effort had reached 12 per cent of its £5,000 ($6,733) target.
The war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which local health authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.
International aid agencies have repeatedly said that children are among the most affected, facing injury, displacement, malnutrition and limited access to medical care.
Watson said he was inspired by activists and humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians and hopes his challenge can make a small contribution to saving lives.
