Of all the motor shows around the globe, Frankfurt is the one the auto industry loves to hate. It sprawls over a corner of the busy German city, so journalists' conversations are, more often than not, about the distance they've walked and the wear on their shoes. It's doubtful that the many celebrities and VIPs in attendance, such as actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson, are making the same complaints, however.
Being Germany's home show, it's the local firms that dominate proceedings. When Smart has a hall as big as that for Fiat, Chrysler, Ferrari, Maserati and Hyundai combined, you know there's going to be some nationalistic showboating. Smart's massive space is effectively a porch for the quite extraordinary split-floor Mercedes stand behind it, which showcases the three-pointed star with over the top fervour. Audi's stand is the main subject for discussion, though. Taking over BMW's previous space, Audi's people started building it in June. With its own track, it's an astonishing space; the structure arguably as interesting as the cars.
Press day is a different entity to when the public are allowed entry, when rope barriers arrive and floor space is crammed not just with the highlights, but with more cars people might actually buy. As ever, the day starts early for us hacks. Already weary attendees wonder whether it was worth late-night shuttle hopping to criss-cross the city to visit the various pre-show unveilings and round-table dinners that provided access to the people behind this automotive circus.
Breakfast with JLR - that's Jaguar Land Rover, a name now formalised and given its own logo - sees the Indian-financed-but-ever-so-British firm in confident mood. Like so few here, sales are on the up and there are two cars sat poised, waiting to be revealed.
Lotus is first though; the 15-minute warning for its press conference booming out so loudly it could wake the other half of Frankfurt the show doesn't occupy. There are no concepts today from Lotus, and an absence of the woeful celebrity endorsement that has defined the company in recent show outings. Dany Bahar, the CEO, mentions that customers had been concerned about the company's direction, like anxious parents watching their rebellious child. He suggests there's no need to worry.
A new Exige suggests that perhaps they should as, although there's the promise of masses more power via a 3.5L V6, it comes with a significant weight penalty - the current "More Lotus then ever" strapline delivering mixed messages here. Still, those waiting for the Esprit will be heartened to know it's on schedule and, in the meantime, they can buy a 444hp Evora GTE instead. It's Lotus's most powerful road car ever and such has been the demand for it, the plan to build just 25 has been binned as orders take up the factory's capacity well into next year.
It's JLR that's the talk of the show, though, with as many gushing with praise for Jaguar's beautiful C-X16 sports car concept as there are scratching their heads over the Land Rover DC100, the concept model signalling a new direction for Land Rover's iconic Defender. Design director Gerry McGovern's speedster-styled, open-roofed take on a lifestyle Defender certainly living up to his statement saying it's "like no Land Rover we've ever seen before". Encouragingly, he promises that the DC100 will be as rugged as the Defender, with an off-road ability to rival even the most dexterous mountain goat. Expect something looking similar to the DC100 in 2015.
It's not the only new 4x4 on show either, with the unlikeliest of firms signalling its intent to get down and dirty. Actually, Maserati's Kubang has been a long time coming, with the Italian firm showing a concept back in 2003.
Ferrari itself has brought along its new 458 Italia Spyder, so its stand is as busy as ever. And not to be outdone, Lamborghini has added yet another model to the Gallardo family - the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale, a name which hardly trips off the tongue. It's quick though, with 100kph arriving in just 3.4 seconds. That's slow compared to the 20 Sesto Elementos Lamborghini is due to build, as the production version of the concept shown in Paris last year is anticipated to reach 100kph from rest in just 2.5 seconds. It'll cost you, though, with an expected Dh10 million sticker price upping the ante in the hyper car stakes.
Small change for some, admittedly, but for the majority, it's the less expensive machinery that will be of interest. Volkswagen has finally revealed its up!, a cool sub-supermini that, always ahead of the game, The National has already driven. Audi is showing an A2 concept alongside a largely revised range and a smattering of hybrids, while BMW's i8 and i3 point to a fast-approaching greener future.
Indeed, it's difficult not to notice the electrification of the motorshow. Hybrids and plug-ins provide transport between the halls, catching many by surprise as they glide around silently. Electric cars are everywhere, with seemingly every manufacturer showing boosted range and performance by hybridisation or going the full-on plug-in route. Audi, VW and GM demonstrate their interpretation of new, urban transport in the guise of single or twin-seated electric mobility with pod-like bodies and outboard wheels. Inner city motoring just got more sci-fi, even if production isn't quite there yet.
Daimler's CEO, Dr Dieter Zetsche, is perhaps the most vocal - of sorts - of the company executives in his rallying cry for electrification. In a rousing pre-show speech, the moustached boss extols the virtue of hydrogen, proclaiming it as the only fuel of the future. Promising not to go the same way as steam train manufacturers when diesel and electric power revolutionised railways, Mercedes-Benz introduces its F125 saloon concept, which manages 1,000km on its hydrogen fuel-cell electric drivetrain.
Zetsche assures us that the company will "set higher, more ambitious targets to beat the problems of the past", and that changes in the car will "turn hydrogen into a new commodity". Bold stuff, particularly as the majority of manufacturers with electric cars swerve the question of where the energy to fill all those batteries will come from. Future power-gazing aside, it's a confident mood at Frankfurt, where everything on show is cleaner and greener than before - even the sports cars, of which the new Porsche 911 is among the most anticipated.
As ever, it's evolutionary not revolutionary, but then the formula has always proved right in the past. Everyday machines continue to add more features usually found in larger luxury cars, while budget brands like Kia and Hyundai continue their march into mainstream normality - and upmarket, high performance credibility - with Kia's rear-wheel drive GT concept. These products are easily up with the best the old-school manufacturers can offer.
But, as is always the case at any international motor show, there are a few disappointments; Honda's new Civic failing to excite, for instance, while the new, bespoke Eterniti SUV doesn't match the pre-show hype. Others do: Aston Martin's production V12 Zagato wowing, as does Alfa's repainted 4C concept and many more. Frankfurt is a busy show for an industry that, despite the outward confidence, is still a little bit lost - much like so many of the weary journalists trying to find their way around.
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier
Results
UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs
Kuwait beat Iran by eight wickets
Oman beat Maldives by 10 wickets
Bahrain beat Qatar by six wickets
Semi-finals
UAE v Qatar
Bahrain v Kuwait
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Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Anti-semitic attacks
The annual report by the Community Security Trust, which advises the Jewish community on security , warned on Thursday that anti-Semitic incidents in Britain had reached a record high.
It found there had been 2,255 anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2021, a rise of 34 per cent from the previous year.
The report detailed the convictions of a number of people for anti-Semitic crimes, including one man who was jailed for setting up a neo-Nazi group which had encouraged “the eradication of Jewish people” and another who had posted anti-Semitic homemade videos on social media.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The%20Afghan%20connection
%3Cp%3EThe%20influx%20of%20talented%20young%20Afghan%20players%20to%20UAE%20cricket%20could%20have%20a%20big%20impact%20on%20the%20fortunes%20of%20both%20countries.%20Here%20are%20three%20Emirates-based%20players%20to%20watch%20out%20for.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHassan%20Khan%20Eisakhil%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Nabi%20is%20still%20proving%20his%20worth%20at%20the%20top%20level%20but%20there%20is%20another%20reason%20he%20is%20raging%20against%20the%20idea%20of%20retirement.%20If%20the%20allrounder%20hangs%20on%20a%20little%20bit%20longer%2C%20he%20might%20be%20able%20to%20play%20in%20the%20same%20team%20as%20his%20son%2C%20Hassan%20Khan.%20The%20family%20live%20in%20Ajman%20and%20train%20in%20Sharjah.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMasood%20Gurbaz%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20opening%20batter%2C%20who%20trains%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Academy%2C%20is%20another%20player%20who%20is%20a%20part%20of%20a%20famous%20family.%20His%20brother%2C%20Rahmanullah%2C%20was%20an%20IPL%20winner%20with%20Kolkata%20Knight%20Riders%2C%20and%20opens%20the%20batting%20with%20distinction%20for%20Afghanistan.%0D%3Cbr%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOmid%20Rahman%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20fast%20bowler%20became%20a%20pioneer%20earlier%20this%20year%20when%20he%20became%20the%20first%20Afghan%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE.%20He%20showed%20great%20promise%20in%20doing%20so%2C%20too%2C%20playing%20a%20key%20role%20in%20the%20senior%20team%E2%80%99s%20qualification%20for%20the%20Asia%20Cup%20in%20Muscat%20recently.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Squads
India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur
West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
