Nissan's Mr Big and the King of the Desert
Nissan's big chief arrives in the Middle East to a throng of fans, as part of the launch programme for the new Patrol. Which we've had a ride in.
Carlos Ghosn at the launch of the new Nissan Patrol
Jebel Ali Shooting Club has probably never seen such a hubbub. From the excitement and spontaneous applause that broke out as a large Infiniti SUV pulled up at the marquee just outside Dubai, you’d think royalty had arrived.
In fact, it was Nissan’s president and CEO Carlos Ghosn, a man hugely respected in the global automotive market and revered as some sort of superhero in Japan.
Never mind the supercars, bring on the superminis
Why the new Suzuki Swift Cup should provide some proper racing entertainment in Dubai when it launches properly in September.
The racing action in the Suzuki Swift Cup should be more exciting for spectators
I spent the past weekend at the Dubai Autodrome, where there was considerable interest in some new arrivals for the UAE GT Championship.
Several new drivers were taking part in the first race for 2010, and some of the existing drivers had new or improved machinery. Unfortunately, despite the hype none of them came even close to challenging the dominance of Karim Al Azhari in his Chevrolet Corvette, which once again wiped the floor with everything else.
Glory at last
After the best part of a year karting, Phill finally makes it to the podium (with some help).
This stylish trophy now adorns Phill's bookshelf.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my karting career over the past year, even when things go badly and I finish way down the order.
But secretly, after changing out of my race suit and heading for the track exit, I’m always jealous of those on the podium, clasping trophies and looking nonchalant about their scintillating performances.
2010 Detroit Motor Show: The start of a new, post-bankruptcy era
The 2010 Detroit Motor Show opens its doors to public in a couple of days. Here is a curtain raiser.
The 2010 Detroit Motor Show
If one thing that heads of auto companies from around the world agreed on, it was “2009 is over”.
From Americas to the Land of the Rising Sun, 2009 will be noted as a year that changed the face of auto industry permanently. Dotted with bankruptcies, job losses and death of a number of car brands, 2009 was a very challenging year for business. A sigh of relief and undertones of optimism were clearly heard in all the briefings to the motoring press from around the world.
