The 18th edition of Automechanika Dubai, which was scheduled to run from 7-9 June 2020, will now take place from 19-21 October 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The postponement comes in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as containment measures restrict movement across international borders, and impact the global economy.
In mid-October Pirelli introduced its Pirelli Tyre Hotel concept to Dubai. The temperature-controlled facility at Pirelli’s P Zero World in Dubai is fitted with custom-designed racks designed to enhance health and longevity of tyres. The concept was first introduced by Pirelli at its Tyre Performance Centre in Burton-on-Trent, England.
Michelin has opened new Africa, India and the Middle East (AIM) operations headquarters at the Dubai Airport Freezone in Dubai.
The official opening ceremony took place at the new headquarters in the presence of dignitaries including Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, director general of Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA); Marc Pasquet, president for Michelin, Africa, India and the Middle East (AIM); and Raja Rabia, Consul General of France. The new facility will be managing 87 offices across the region.
Buried within the more than 134 pages of Qingdao Doublestar’s latest semi-annual report is the news that the state-owned tyre maker will extend China’s ‘one belt, one road’ strategy by working with a local partner to establish a tyre production facility in Algeria. The Chinese-language document states that its subsidiary Hong Kong Doublestar signed a joint venture agreement with El Hadj Larbi Pneumatiques during the reporting period.
Continental is planning to open a Middle East regional office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The joint venture project with the company’s previous distributor in Saudi Arabia, Almutlak Trade & Industries, will support growing demand for Continental’s products and services in the kingdom, according to the company.
Pirelli has opened a fourth branch of its tyre boutique retail concept P Zero World on a third continent. The store follows previous openings in Los Angeles, Munich and Monte-Carlo. More than 60 supercars belonging to local collectors formed a parade through the city to mark the Dubai opening. The following day more than 200 cars took to the track at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi for the P Zero Experience: Pirelli’s track day event.
A total of 220 global manufacturers showcased their tyre and battery-related products and services at Automechanika Dubai 2016, taking up 7,300 square metres of exhibition space during event which was help between 8 and 10 May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Messe Frankfurt Middle East reported that this represents a 15 per cent year-on-year growth in exhibitor numbers over 2015, and a 19 per cent year-on-year increase in exhibition space.
As of May 2015 Marangoni Spa entered into a partnership deal with Al Shirawi Enterprises that sees the latter become exclusive distributor for the Marangoni brand of industrial tyres in Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates (UAE). During his recent visit to Dubai, Adam Dudas-Smith, export area manager for Marangoni Industrial Tyres, announced that Al Shirawi Enterprises had shown a big commitment to the Marangoni brand since taking on a non-exclusive dealership role for Dubai and UAE.
Cooper Tire will be the official tyre sponsor of this year’s Dubai International Motor Show. Announced during a visit by the vice president and managing director of Cooper Tire, Europe and the Middle East, Jeff Schumaker, the sponsorship will mark the tyre brand’s first move to increase its presence across the Middle East ahead of a series of new product arrivals over the coming months. The manufacturer has a tangential connection to the region through Arsenal Football Club, for whom it is the Official Tyre; Arsenal’s shirt sponsor is Dubai-based airline, Emirates.
