MARANELLO // Ferrari is increasing its presence in the capital with the launch of the first Ferrari World theme park and the opening of a new showroom on the Corniche.
The Middle East is one of Ferrari's main growth areas. The company, whose luxury sports cars carry the famous prancing horse badge, last year achieved a 30 per cent increase in sales in the region on the previous year, despite a 5 per cent decrease globally.
This year, Ferrari is expecting a double-digit increase in its earnings worldwide. The car maker has a strong affiliation with the UAE via Mubadala Development, a strategic investment company owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, having a 5 per cent stake. Etihad Airways is also a major sponsor of the Ferrari Formula One team. "Our dealer there is investing," said Enrico Galliera, the commercial and marketing director of Ferrari. "We have good expectations."
Al Tayer Motors is the official Ferrari dealer in the UAE. The existing Ferrari showroom near Maqta Bridge will be replaced by a new development that is expected to open by the end of the year. Mr Galliera said Ferrari limited its production runs to make sure demand exceeded supply and keep the brand exclusive. The cars are only made to order. It typically takes about a year from buying the car from a dealer to receiving the finished vehicle.
In newer markets, he said there was still much to be done to increase the understanding that each car was individually manufactured to specifications and could not simply be bought and driven away from the showroom on the same day. Last year Ferrari produced 6,250 cars. The world's first Ferrari World theme park is scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi on October 27. Ferrari said it had worked with the Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties, which is developing the theme park, to make sure its strict brand standards were adhered to.
"It's something that we believe will give a strong boost to the knowledge and awareness of the Ferrari brand, not only in the Middle East," said Mr Galliera. "If things go well, [Ferrari World] might be the first of others," said Stefano Lai, the Ferrari communications director. Ferrari has a presence in 57 countries and plans to start selling its cars in India early next year. At the Paris Motor Show last week the company unveiled its limited edition SA Aperta, which will cost more than €400,000 (Dh2 million) each. Only 80 will be produced and all had been sold before the show.
rbundhun@thenational.ae
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Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
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Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
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CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
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Director: Jared Hess
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Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
