Jeddah Motor Show 2010 ends on high noteJEDDAH: As the car market in Saudi Arabia shifts to higher gear fuelled by renewed confidence in the economy, international car manufacturers - through their dealers in the Kingdom - enthusiastically launched a lineup of all-new 2011 models. Industry analysts predict that by 2013, car sales in the Kingdom would hit 880,000 units a year, a 50 percent increase on 2008 levels. They say over three-quarters of all Saudi males of driving age are estimated to own one. Latest estimates have shown statistics have shown that on average, some 270,000 extra males would like to have their own vehicle in the next 10 years, so that by 2020, the Saudi market will still need around an extra 2.7 million vehicles, analysts added. Against this backdrop, the five-day 32nd Saudi International Motor Show at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events concluded Thursday on high note. For one, the French car manufacturer Peugeot will adopt a five-year strategy starting next year with the aim of raising its market share in the Kingdom to five percent until 2015 from only 1 percent at present, disclosed Othman A. Al-Amoudi, deputy general manager of Al-Motwakil Motors Co., an authorized Peugeot dealer. He told Saudi Gazette that Peugeot's flagship model at this year's Jeddah motor show - the Peugeot RCZ sports coupe - drew the attention of both car aficionados and enthusiasts. At the heart of the Peugeot RCZ is a 4-cylinder engine that delivers 156 hp. It has a tag price of SR135,000. Its other variation is a turbo engine, manual transmission that delivers 200 hp. Al-Amoudi said other Peugeot models that received positive response include the Peugeot 5008 minivan designed for the whole family "pure driving pleasure". The seven-passenger Compact MPV sells for SR95,000. Peugeot 3008 Crossover, at SR89,000, is based on a stretched version of the 308 chassis. Its most noticeable aspect is the aircraft-style cockpit. The Peugeot 3008 is characterized by the presence of large glass areas in favor of the windscreen of the vehicle mass, which extends far forward occupies an area of 1.60 m square, in giving passengers a better view of the cabin through the natural lighting inside. The 3008 structure has been carefully designed to provide maximum secondary safety as well as provide a structure with the same level of rigidity of that of a saloon. To reduce emissions and, therefore fuel consumption and running costs, the weight of the vehicle was kept to a minimum. Other Peugeot models that attracted primarily the younger generation are the 308cc with a price tag of SR120,000 and the 308 which costs SR71,000. All new models come in a four-cylinder, 1600cc engine.
