Reed is relaunching Abu Dhabi International Motor Show (ADIMS) as commercial vehicle sales are set to cross 23 million by 2010.

The event will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) from December 17 to 21 2008, the organisers said.

“Abu Dhabi is a natural choice for an automobile show as it is the richest of the oil-laden emirates, has a large expatriate population and is effectively transforming itself into a global tourist destination,” said Reed Exhibitions Middle East president Frederic Theux.

“The regional automobile industry is growing thanks to the economic, technology, prices and competition while the global market for commercial vehicles is expected to cross 23.2 million units by 2010,” said Theux.

The fastest growth, in terms of both sales and production, of vehicles is expected from the developing economies of Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

“The automobile industry in the Middle East is buoyant and is boosted by an open trade environment, the region’s tax policies towards automobile sector and ready availability of consumer finance have also has spurred the industry’s growth prospects,” said Theux.

Theux said Abu Dhabi’s diversification of its economy and ongoing expansion has attracted people from far-flung corners of the world, settling to live and work, enjoying first-class shopping, elegant hotels and a unique culture in Abu Dhabi.

Forbes magazine, in March 2007, named Abu Dhabi as the world’s richest city. Responsible for more than 90 per cent of the UAE’s oil production, Abu Dhabi possesses the fourth largest oil reserves in the world.

According to media reports, Abu Dhabi has an investment fund exceeding $800 billion with more than $140 billion in government and privately-funded development projects currently underway in Abu Dhabi.

Launched over 20 years ago, ADIMS is one of the oldest automobile exhibitions in the Middle East. With a completely new management, a new state of-the art venue and a new brand identity, the 2008 exhibition is slated to be the largest and most comprehensive motor show in the Middle East this year.

Meanwhile Emirates Auctions has pledged its support for the Abu Dhabi Auto Show by announcing an auction of cars and license plates, part of the proceeds of which will go to charity.

“After the stupendous success of our auctions including the one in Abu Dhabi where we sold a number plate for $14 million, we will be conducting an auction at the Abu Dhabi Motor Show,” promised, Emirates Auctions Company CEO Abdulla Al Mannai.

ADIMS - a biennial event - will showcase luxury cars, high performance supercars, custom cars, executive saloons, concept and hybrid cars, sports cars, off roaders and 4×4s, family cars and SUVs, motorcycles and quad bikes as well as commercial vehicles such as trucks and pickups, vans and mini buses, luxury coaches, limousines, trailers and campers, the organisers said.

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The Taurus X crossover vehicle was sold as the Freestyle from 2005 to 2007. The X features some exterior remodeling, a larger engine, and a conventional automatic transmission. Its main selling points are its high safety ratings and a roomy third-row seat.

But it holds little appeal for the image-conscious.

With its rename came a nose job that replaced the Freestyle’s dated look with stylized headlights and the bolder chrome grille I’ve come to like on most of Ford’s recent models. The hood, front fenders, and taillights also have been changed, and the roof rack was beefed up, according to Ford.

To me, it still looks like an overgrown wagon. I don’t consider that a bad thing, but many people do.

There are three Taurus X trim levels: the SEL, Eddie Bauer, and Limited, each of which comes with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

Ford seems to have figured out how to improve ride quality in most of its models, and the Taurus X is no exception. It’s comfortable without being floaty, and the handling is up for whatever the driver is likely to throw it into. The Taurus X isn’t a sport wagon, but it isn’t a lumbering minivan, either. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and an electronic stability system are standard.

One of the main complaints about the Freestyle and Five Hundred models was that they were underpowered. The continuously variable automatic transmission also was poorly received. The Taurus X addresses both issues by changing from a 3.0-liter V-6 engine to a 3.5-liter V-6 and a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

The improvement is evident immediately, thanks to a 60-horsepower increase, to 263 horsepower. It is felt most under high-rev acceleration and middle- and high-speed passing. Still no rocket, the X is now at least powerful enough - some would say more than enough. My Taurus X SEL was equipped with all-wheel drive, the heavier of the two drivelines, so it’s reasonable to expect the front-wheel-drive model to be as quick or quicker.

I support the concept behind CVTs, but their performance differs greatly from one to the next. The Freestyle’s was slow to react, and it seemed to bring out the worst in the 3.0-liter V-6 by causing it to rev too readily into high and noisy engine speeds. The new, stronger engine doesn’t need to work as hard to begin with, and the six-speed ensures the engine sound comes only when you expect it.

The cabin’s positives include roomy seats in all three rows and easy-to-use folding seats. On the downside are so-so materials and some shoddy build quality. By the numbers, the front seat isn’t especially roomy, but at 6 feet tall I found it more than workable. The steering wheel tilts, but doesn’t telescope. Power-adjustable pedals are available on all trim levels. The driver has a good view of the road without being needlessly high. The view to the rear isn’t bad, but the optional flip-down video screen for the back seat made my rearview mirror almost useless

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Ford has launched the Ford Performance Web site, which it says is designed to forge greater ties with the enthusiast community — and to promote such hot properties as the next-generation Mustang.

“We recognize the important role that Ford loyalists play in raising consumer awareness of Ford Motor Company,” said Jamie Allison, Ford Racing Performance Group manager. “Performance enthusiasts tend to be the most passionate, active and influential customers of all.”

The new Web site has such features as “deep-dive” information about the Ford performance vehicle lineup and a hot line (800-FORD-788) that answers questions about such vehicles. It also provides links to club sites as well as “live, expert technical assistance on the use of Ford performance hardware.”

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At 23, Shi Lingxi bought his first car last week.

He considered a Ford Focus and other models during months of shopping. But on Wednesday, Shi negotiated a 35,000-yuan discount that knocked about $5,000 off the price of a Nissan Blubird. He put the $20,000 sedan on a credit card his parents will help pay.

He doesn’t plan to drive it to work much — it’s too hard to find a parking spot — but he looks forward to the freedom his car represents: the ability to get out of the Chinese capital for weekend outings.

“I bought the car to expand the radius of my living,” said Shi, a human resources professional in Beijing.

There are millions like him in China. Personal car ownership is driving the million-vehicle-per-year growth in China’s auto industry and, for now, seven of eight are bought by first-time car buyers.

Economic growth and the corresponding boom in the auto industry in this nation of 1.3 billion people — and in the private passenger car market in particular — has attracted more than 100 global and domestic vehicle manufacturers to compete on the Chinese stage.

Nearly all of them — including General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC — plan to display their offerings, unveil new concepts and vie for consumers at Auto China 2008, the Chinese auto show that starts today.

“This is now the largest auto show in the world, by number of automakers,” Nick Reilly, President of GM Asia Pacific, told the Free Press on Saturday. “Where just two years ago Beijing was a relatively small, cramped show, now, you’re getting first-time showings. Unless it’s a major international show, you just don’t waste those. That’s really a sign it’s become a very important show.” Continued

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Global car makers are showing off their latest models at the ongoing Beijing International Auto Show. Exhibitors are trying to grab the attention of more viewers.

Global car makers are showing off their latest models at the ongoing Beijing International Auto Show.

Audi has led all the exhibitors to hold a media conference, bringing its high-end sports car A5, which is now available in car showrooms. It also made the first public introduction for its strategic model, the compact crossover Q5.

US car maker Ford has got the largest booth at the exhibition. The company’s famous brands, such as Ford, Mazda and Volvo, have all gathered here. It made the global debut for its Ford Carnival, which will start selling later this year in Europe and China simultaneously.

Zou Wenchao, VP of Changan Ford Mazda, said, “This model was designed with a dynamic concept. We have taken the domestic market into consideration. It will be a good choice for young people.”

The company also showed its latest achievements on energy saving, handling and safety.

Home grown brands are not lagging behind. Chery has brought 26 models here, 12 of which are making their debut. Meanwhile, Brilliance Auto has designed its booth in a unique traditional Chinese style.

Global car makers are showing off their latest models at the ongoing Beijing International Auto Show.

Yang Bo, VP of Brilliance Jinbei Auto, said, “We are home grown brands. Our design is telling the public that we want to enter the international market.”

More than 220 overseas companies and 18 hundred domestic companies have attended the auto show, while over 8,000 journalists are covering the event. For both car makers and media reporters, this year’s auto show is not only a platform for performance, but also an arena for competition.

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Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the nation’s biggest automaker, introduced two Chinese local editions of its latest models at the 2008 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Sunday, in a move to tap into the market with the most potential. Hyundai Motor launched its luxury sedan, Genesis, on the kick-off day of the motor show at the China International Exhibition Center. It will be launched in China as the “Rohens.” “All (of Hyundai Motors’ philosophy) is integrated into the Rohens. I am sure this vehicle will become a representative sedan in the Chinese market,” Eom Gwang-heum, managing director of Hyundai Motor, said. Hyundai launched the sedan earlier this year in a move toward the high-end market segment to take on leading marquees like BMW and Lexus. A total of 16 Hyundai vehicles will be on display at the Beijing motor show, including Rohens, as well as a concept coupe model of Genesis and Yuedong, a local model of the maker’s steady seller compact car Avante. The motor company’s other division, Kia Motor, also presented its large-scale SUV Mojave, renamed “Barui” locally, at the show. Kia is expecting the launch of Barui, which means “the best sharpness” in Chinese, to facilitate the company’s sales there in its trademark SUV lineup, including Sorrento and Sportage. The flagship sports vehicle will be on sale in China from July. “Mojave (Barui) is our best-ever recreational vehicle model, full of style and high-end technology. We hope the model will attract lots of Chinese drivers pursuing active and vigorous lifestyles,” Kia Motors said. At Beijing, Kia is presenting 13 vehicles, including KOUP, a coupe concept car that was first introduced at the New York Motor Show earlier this year. Hyundai-Kia is set to make the exhibition a stepping stone for the brand to be better recognized in China amid recent efforts for the market. Hyundai Motor started production at its second manufacturing plant in Beijing this month, doubling the company’s production capacity to 600,000. Kia is also putting more weight on China, and broke ground for a second plant in Jiangxu Province last year. It aims to sell 200,000 vehicles this year and 440,000 in 2010, when the new plant is completed. Hyundai, which advanced into China in 2002, five years later than Kia, has sold 958,000 cars so far. Sales of Kia vehicles are at about 470,000. The Chinese car market is expanding ferociously _ now second in sales and third in production. The automobile frenzy is being fueled by the country’s skyrocketing economic growth. The new middle class spawned a social tendency to stress consumption as well as quality of life. Vehicle sales in China are expected to exceed 6 million units this year and 10 million in 2013, with demand increasing as well for full-scale cars. Last year, the luxury sedan market grew to 200,000 units, up over 34 percent year-on-year, and 357,000 for SUVs, which soared nearly 50 percent. Almost 900 vehicles, including 55 concept cars, will be on show at the biennial automobile exhibition. The motor show, one of the three biggest Chinese automobile exhibitions, continues through Monday.

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Automobile industry executives at Beijing’s bi-annual auto show forecast another boom year in China in 2008, with sales in the world’s No. 2 car market rising and production ramping up to take advantage of lower costs.Global automakers such as Volkswagen AG (VOWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research) are increasingly relying on emerging markets such as China to take up the slack as U.S. and European consumers feel the pinch from slowing economies and rising prices.

“I say this internally all the time, but the company that gets China right is going to be the dominant player for the next 25 years,” GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said at the Beijing Auto Show.

GM’s China sales lagged in the first quarter due to winter storms that disrupted shipments, but the company ranked No. 2 by production in China last year is forecasting a recovery.

“We still expect a very good year and to grow in line with the market,” GM’s president and managing director Kevin Wale said.

GM expects total China car sales to rise about 16 percent in 2008, after climbing to 6.3 million in 2007. Most executives predicated the whole auto market, including trucks and buses, to reach 10 million units this year.

As big as the Chinese car market has become, just 44 out of every 1,000 people owns a vehicle, compared with an average 600 for the developed world and some 800 for the United States.

The number of vehicles on Chinese roads last year reached 47 million, parts maker Magna International said, a level equivalent to where the United States was in 1947.

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