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Ramadan is traditionally one of the best times of the year for UAE residents to pick up a good deal if they are planning to buy a new car.
This holy month, dealers are offering potential buyers a range of incentives, such as extended warranties, free service packages, discounts on selected models and even free home charging stations for electric vehicles.
However, when buying a new car, it is important to remember that it is easier to negotiate add-ons rather than trying to lower the price, says Tarek Kabrit, chief executive and founder of Seez, a mobile app that aggregates vehicle listings across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Pakistan and South Africa.
“There are a lot of deals this Ramadan but because it is a more supply constrained market, they may not be as much or as good of a deal as in years when the market was more demand constrained,” Mr Kabrit says.
Demand for private car ownership increased during the Covid-19 pandemic as people sought more protection from the virus, US management consultancy Arthur D Little said in its Future of Automotive Mobility survey in February last year.
“In the short term, Covid-19 has influenced people’s thinking about car ownership … nearly half [48 per cent] of all respondents globally think that owning a car is more important than it was before the pandemic,” Arthur D Little said in the report.
The pandemic has also changed the way consumers buy their cars in the UAE, with many now open to purchasing vehicles online, according to a survey last month by e-commerce platform Cars24 and market research company YouGov.
About 28 per cent of respondents favoured buying a second-hand car online, while 43 per cent said they would prefer to buy it from a showroom, the survey found.
However, when broken down, the data showed that 30 per cent of Emiratis, 34 per cent of Arab expatriates, 27 per cent of Asians and 22 per cent of westerners would prefer to buy a car online, it said.
“We are confident that in the very near future, there will be a significant crossover from the offline car buying medium to the online domain,” says Abhinav Gupta, chief executive of the Gulf region for Cars24.
Meanwhile, pre-owned cars offer better value compared with new vehicles, which begin to depreciate shortly after they are bought, Mr Kabrit says.
“But make sure you buy from a reputable dealer or get a thorough inspection, so that you ensure the best quality or at least know what you are getting into,” he says.
Here is our round-up of the Ramadan car deals on offer in 2022:
Audi
The deal: Audi Middle East is offering a range of benefits to customers across the GCC region and in Jordan.
In the UAE, customers who buy one of Audi’s electric vehicles will be offered free home charging installations, along with five-year roadside assistance, five-year unlimited mileage warranty and free insurance for the first year.
Audi buyers in Saudi Arabia are being offered a free five-year service package with roadside assistance, as well as a five-year warranty on the seven-seater Q7. Starting at 331,300 Saudi riyals ($88,346), Q7 buyers will also have an option to pay 50 per cent upfront and the remaining 50 per cent in two years' time with zero per cent financing.
In Oman, customers will receive a seven-year service package and roadside assistance, while in Jordan, Audi is offering consumers up to 10 years’ free servicing and a five-year warranty on select models.
Valid: until the end of Ramadan
Infiniti
The deal: Al Masaood Automobiles is offering customers in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra a number of benefits if they buy an Infiniti model, including a 15-day exchange guarantee and up to five years’ warranty.
Buyers will also receive a service package, free insurance and window tinting. Customers choosing to trade-in their vehicle when they buy a new model Infiniti will also be offered a five-year service package.
Valid: until April 30
Cadillac
Al Ghandi Auto, Cadillac’s dealer partner in the UAE, has rolled out its Ramadan deals on a range of 2021 and 2022 models, including the Escalade, XT4 and XT5 compact SUVs and CT4 and CT5 sedans.
Benefits include reduced finance packages, as well as enrolment in Cadillac’s Premium Care Plus programme, which provides customers with a five-year warranty, service and maintenance, as well as roadside assistance.
Customers will also receive free insurance and registration for the first year, and free tinting and paint protection if they purchase a CT or XT model. Escalade customers can also claim free registration and free tinting.
Valid: until the end of Ramadan
Nissan
The deal: Al Masaood Automobiles is offering a number of perks for select Nissan models to customers in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
All Nissan car purchases will come with a warranty of up to five years and include a service package and 15-day exchange guarantee.
Meanwhile, car buyers in the market for a pre-owned Nissan will be offered reduced finance packages starting as low as Dh699 a month for a Nissan Sunny, Dh999 for a Kicks, Dh1,559 for an X-Trail and Dh2,249 for a Patrol.
Used-car buyers will also be offered a one-year warranty, free registration and a 15-day exchange guarantee.
Current Nissan owners looking to upgrade their models through a trade-in will also be offered a five-year free service package when they purchase a new vehicle.
Valid: until the end of Ramadan
Chevrolet
The deal: Al Ghandi Auto, the distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, has rolled out a range of deals on its Tahoe, Silverado and Traverse models, including free registration and insurance, window tinting and a four-year roadside assistance programme.
Reduced finance packages are also available, with monthly instalments for a Tahoe starting at Dh3,442, a Silverado at Dh2,026 and a Traverse at Dh2,315.
Valid: until the end of Ramadan
Renault
The deal: Al Masaood Automobiles is offering a few Ramadan benefits for customers who purchase a Renault Koleos, a compact crossover SUV.
Buyers will receive up to five years’ warranty, free insurance and a 15-day exchange guarantee, while Renault owners looking to upgrade through a trade-in will be given a five-year free service package for their new vehicle.
Valid: until the end of Ramadan
GMC
The deal: Al Ghandi Auto is offering a reduced finance package, free registration, tinting and insurance, and five years of roadside assistance for buyers of the GMC Yukon, which starts at monthly instalments of Dh3,833.
Meanwhile, GMC Sierra buyers will be offered a reduced finance package starting from Dh2,560 per month. The model's top-of-the-line Denali version also comes with a five-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty.
Valid: until the end of Ramadan
MG
The deal: British automotive brand MG, through its distributor Inter Emirates Motors, is offering a range of Ramadan perks for buyers of its SUVs, family sedans and sports hatch models.
MG customers will receive free registration for one year, two years’ (or 30,000km) service, five years of roadside assistance, gift vouchers of up to Dh3,000 and window tinting. In addition, MG will offer a six-year (or 200,000km) manufacturer’s warranty across the Emirates.
Valid: until April 30
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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The biog
From: Ras Al Khaimah
Age: 50
Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years
Hobbies: 'Anything that involves exploration, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, the sea, hiking, scuba diving, and adventure sports'
Favourite quote: 'Life is so simple, enjoy it'
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Read more about the coronavirus
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
The%20specs
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RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
The First Monday in May
Director: Andrew Rossi
Starring: Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, John Paul Gaultier, Rihanna
Three stars
Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
BMW%20M4%20Competition
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
