business > auto news
Doha’s New Eco-Taxis
Karwa received the first-ever cab in Qatar manufactured to be run on CNG.
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olkswagen delivered the first of its VW Passat EcoFuel cars to Karwa. This will be the first eco-friendly cab plying the roads of Doha. The compressed natural gas-powered vehicle was received on behalf of Karwa by the government public transport firm’s Director of Taxi and Limousine, Abdulla Ali Bahzad, and is considered a major push towards boosting Qatar’s environmental-friendly initiatives. Q-Auto, the German automobile company’s distributors in Qatar, stated that even though CNG-powered cars are 15-20 percent more expensive than regular cars, they are cheaper in the long run as their maintenance works out to be 15 percent cheaper. Bahzad said that most of Doha’s public transport vehicles would be converted to CNG in phases so that the proper infrastructure for the same can be developed, and as part of this project over 60 CNG buses are to be introduced later this year.
A Taste of Ferrari
Ferrari owners in Qatar were invited to live life in the fast lane on the Losail International Circuit.
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he third edition of "Emozioni in Pista" attracted Qatar’s Ferrari owners and enthusiasts who enjoyed the opportunity to truly push their machines to the limit on the Losail International Circuit. Organised by Alfardan Sports Motors Company, the official Ferrari importers in Qatar, in cooperation with Ferrari Middle East and Africa, the event saw guests take their cars into top gear around the track, under the watchful eyes of the official Pilota Ferrari instructors, who also conducted competitions. They were also invited to experience the thrill of test-driving the manufacturer’s three fastest, top-of-the range models – the Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari California and Ferrari FF. Giulio Zauner, General Manager of Ferrari Middle East and Africa, said: “We are proud to see so many enthusiasts attending the annual Emozioni in Pista in Qatar. We see more and more Ferraristi wanting to feel their cars' performance and develop their driving skills.” Mohamed Kandeel, General Manager of Alfardan Sports Motors Company, who personally welcomed the guests at the event and presented prizes to the competition winners, said he was glad to see the Emozioni in Pista becoming an iconic event among Qatar’s Ferrari enthusiasts and fans and hoped to see them all again next year.
106 > qatar today > june 2013