Today: September 12, 2026

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced that the Chinese brand Jietor has joined its list of global sponsors, becoming the official automotive distributor for the 2027 Basketball World Cup, which Doha will host in the first edition of the tournament to be held in the Middle East. FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis and Jietor International President Ke Xuan Deng signed the agreement in Doha. Under the agreement, Jetour will provide an official fleet of vehicles and transportation services to support national teams, delegations, guests, and participants throughout the tournament, which will feature 32 national teams playing 92 games in the Qatari capital. The partnership will extend through the final stage of…

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Nissan and Honda have signed an agreement to join forces in developing a number of core electronic control units that form the technical foundation for the next generation of software-defined vehicles, along with the vehicle operating system and key components of the middleware and control software that run on these units. The jointly developed electrical and electronic architecture, including the control units and software, is scheduled to be implemented in the two companies’ next-generation vehicles starting in fiscal year 2029. This move is part of the existing strategic partnership between the two Japanese companies, which aim to accelerate progress toward carbon neutrality and contribute to reducing fatalities…

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General Motors Africa and the Middle East, together with its partner Middle East Battery Company (MBKO), is celebrating 30 years of its strategic partnership, which began with “AC Delco,” General Motors’ leading aftermarket brand. This milestone coincides with General Motors’ celebration of 100 years of presence in the region. Over the past three decades, General Motors and “AC Delco” have worked to expand the brand’s presence throughout the region, resulting in the production of more than 60 million “AC Delco” batteries to date—a milestone that reflects the depth of their collaboration…

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Driving conditions in the Middle East pose unique challenges for vehicles, ranging from high temperatures and direct sunlight to desert sand, mountain roads, and long journeys. To address these challenges, Ford relies on its Dubai-based product development team to evaluate the performance of its vehicles specifically under these conditions, in collaboration with the company’s global development team. Ravi Ravichandran, Ford’s president for the Middle East and North Africa, said that customers in the region expect capability, power, confidence, and durability from their vehicles, and that regional testing helps Ford engineers evaluate vehicle performance under conditions that reflect how many customers actually use their vehicles, including…

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Ford Middle East and North Africa announced the appointment of “North Al-Jazeera Trading and Commercial Agencies” (SAT) as its new official distributor in Iraq, effective October 1. The new company is the result of a strategic alliance between Marsh Holding Group and Al-Ayyan Group, and will be responsible for selling Ford vehicles and providing genuine parts and after-sales services in the Iraqi market. The Marsh Group manages a diversified investment portfolio comprising more than ten companies in strategic sectors of the Iraqi market, including technology, financial services, digital solutions, and e-commerce, while the Al-Ayyan Group is considered one of the most established regional distributors in…

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Saudi world champion Yazeed bin Mohammed Al-Rajhi is resuming competition in the 2026 Baja España-Aragón Rally, after the organizing committee postponed the start of the race following the outbreak of wildfires near the race course—a precautionary measure taken to ensure the safety of competitors, teams, and spectators. The 42nd edition of the Baja Aragon is seeing a change in Al-Rajhi’s lineup, after his German co-driver, Timo Gottschalk, was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in broken ribs, ruling him out of the event while he recovers. He has been replaced by another German co-driver, Dennis Zenz, who will accompany Al-Rajhi on the Spanish leg. Al-Rajhi will compete in a Toyota Hilux T1+ that…

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The automotive sector in the Kuwaiti market recorded remarkable growth during the first nine months of the year, with new car sales exceeding 108,000 units—an increase of approximately 16% compared to the same period last year—a positive indication of market activity and consumer confidence despite global economic challenges. A closer look at the sales figures shows that major brands accounted for the largest share of sales, while luxury brands represented a smaller but still notable percentage of the total market. In terms of monthly distribution, one of the recent months ranked first in terms of the number of cars sold, followed by the month…

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BMW has officially unveiled the all-new generation of its 2026 iX3 electric vehicle, in a move that represents a significant step forward in the German company’s strategy to transition to electric vehicles, specifically in the luxury crossover segment, which is seeing intensifying competition in Arab markets, and it is expected to attract widespread interest among luxury car enthusiasts in the Gulf. The First Vehicle on the “Neue Klasse” Platform The new iX3 is the first BMW model built entirely on the “Neue Klasse” platform, which is designed for the next generation of its electric vehicles and features an 800-volt electrical architecture. This platform opens up…

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Car prices in the Gulf countries, including Kuwait, are once again taking center stage as global oil prices continue to rise and pressures on maritime shipping and cargo insurance costs intensify. This combination raises serious questions about the possibility that some of these costs will be passed on to new car prices in the coming months before the end of the year. Why Are Prices Affected by Shipping Costs? Shipping and insurance costs for shipments arriving from factories in Asia, Europe, and other global markets are rising, increasing the cost of bringing cars into the region. As disruptions continue on some international shipping routes, companies and distributors find themselves…

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