On the sprawling forecourts of the Ras Al Khor car trading district in Dubai, the Volkswagen ID fully electric hatchback is selling fast.
One dealer said more than 40 had been sold in the past three months and were now being driven by happy customers. Another said a further 15 cars due to arrive in the next few days had almost sold out in advance.
We are aware that a number of Volkswagen Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been imported into the UAE through unofficial channels. We urgently wish to inform our customers that these electric cars have not been officially released for sale
Al Nabooda Automobiles
Shipped in from China, Hanzi lettering on the rear of each vehicle is the only distinguishing sign these vehicles are imported.
Selling for about Dh145,000, with zero kilometres on the clock, at first glance they look like the next generation of electric vehicles due to follow in the tyre tracks of Tesla and others on to the nation’s highways.
However, the vehicle is not yet tested for use in the UAE, where mid-summer temperatures can reach 50ºC and place a huge strain on the 77kWh battery found underneath the front two seats of the car.
The cars would not be under warranty and could face difficulty being repaired.
“This vehicle is the fastest-selling vehicle we have had in years,” said one dealer, who had four of the vehicles for sale, two ID4 Pro Crozz and two other ID6, a seven-seater version perfect for a growing family.
Dealers do not hide behind the fact the vehicles are imported from China.
They admit they come without warranty, a reason why they are priced close to Dh30,000 cheaper than the same vehicle would in other countries at Volkswagen dealerships.
When asked if they were safe to drive in the desert heat, the traders said there would be no issues with the batteries, and little chance of them catching fire.
In a statement, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology said any vehicle it approves the import of would have an identification card.
This "ensures the vehicles are free from severe damages specified in the government database that would not allow the vehicles to be sold".
Batteries still to be approved
Talib Alrubai, chief executive of Alba Cars, a large dealership in Dubai, said he was aware that private dealers had managed to import these vehicles.
“The iD4 cars imported have been built in China,” he said.
“A deal has been done with Volkswagen to make branded electric cars in China.
“Al Nabooda is the official VW dealer, but these vehicles are being brought in by private dealers as technically they are not VW cars.
“People are able to register them quite easily.
“They are yet to be fully tested, but so far we have only heard good things. With the latest technology, AC is one of the most basic functions of the vehicle.
“There is a small risk of the battery overheating, but there is not enough data to suggest how common it could be.”
The Roads and Transport Authority does not deal with certification, only registration of vehicles, and did not comment on the issue.
Certification is carried out by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. It did not respond to a request for clarification.
Vehicles could be difficult to repair
Al Nabooda Automobiles is the official dealership of Volkswagen in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
It issued a statement for consumers thinking of buying an electric vehicle not yet fully tested in the UAE and GCC.
“We are aware that a number of Volkswagen Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been imported into the UAE through unofficial channels,” the statement said.
“As of now, Volkswagen EVs have not been released to UAE. This means despite inaccurate claims made by these resellers, Volkswagen EVs currently sold here do not come with international warranty and subsequently all service and maintenance requirements cannot be undertaken by Al Nabooda Automobiles or any service facility approved by Volkswagen in UAE.
“Customers who do choose to buy through these unofficial channels should do so knowing that in addition to a lack of servicing and warranty the vehicles come with a software version intended for another market and similar to warranty and servicing, this cannot be supported by Volkswagen and Al Nabooda Automobiles.”
A similar statement was issued concerning Audi electric vehicles that are not yet available to buy from dealerships in the UAE, of which Al Nabooda Automobiles is also the official supplier.
“In the past few months, we have observed that there has been a large number of Audi battery electric cars (BEVs) that have been imported into the country by non-authorised organisations/traders,” the statement said.
“It has also been observed that the said non-authorised organisations/traders have been miscommunicating to customers that the aforementioned Audi battery electric cars carry an international warranty and that all service and maintenance requirements can be attended to by the authorised dealer in the market.
“We urgently wish to inform our customers and the local community that these electric cars have not been officially released for sale in the UAE and the obligation to offer after-sale services and warranty lies with the seller of the product."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
The biog
Name: Sarah Al Senaani
Age: 35
Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2
Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism
Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding
Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier
Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)
Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am
Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am
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Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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Famous left-handers
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
About%20My%20Father
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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
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
