Motors - Gulf Insider

2 weeks ago

Chinese Automaker Soueast Launches A New Phase In The Saudi Market Under The Slogan “For Those Who Lead The Vision”

Chinese automaker Soueast announced the launch of a new phase in the Saudi market during the unveiling ceremony of its all-new Soueast S08 DM, alongside the signing of several agreements with partners and dealers across different regions of the Kingdom, under the slogan: “Drive The New Era – For Those Who Lead the Vision.” The event was held in Jeddah at Park Hyatt Jeddah, in the presence of distinguished partners, representatives of the automotive sector, media professionals, and social media influencers. A strategy beyond traditional car sales The General Manager of Soueast Saudi Arabia Ronney Zhang affirmed that the Saudi market is one of the strongest and most dynamic in the region. He noted that the company brings over 30 years of manufacturing experience since its establishment in China in 1995, before gradually expanding into global markets. He said that the brand relaunched itself globally in 2024 as part of a new phase of development and expansion, and has since entered approximately 46 countries worldwide. He emphasized that the company’s strategy in Saudi Arabia goes beyond vehicle sales, focusing instead on building a fully integrated ecosystem that includes a strong distribution network, advanced logistics infrastructure, and a comprehensive customer experience […]

2 weeks ago

BIC Set For Three Exciting Days Of F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026

Bahrain International Circuit, ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, is set to host the second official pre-season testing session ahead of the new 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, from Wednesday, February 18, to Friday, February 20. The circuit has invited ticket holders of the Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 to attend the second pre-season testing session free of charge as part of its early bird offer, which was launched for those who purchased their tickets before 8 September last year. They will be able to enter free of charge on Thursday and Friday, 19 and 20 February. The circuit’s gates will be open to spectators on both testing days from 11am to 7pm. BIC is organising a number of entertainment activities for fans and visitors attending the official testing. Highlights include F1 racing simulators, where participants can experience the thrill of racing, as well as activities such as ‘Get in the car, fasten your seatbelt and set off on a simulation journey’ and ‘Be the fastest driver on the simulator track’. There will also be interactive games, including a reaction speed challenge, a stick-catching challenge, and a ‘Complete the Challenge’ activity to refine coordination skills through the stick-catching game, […]

2 weeks ago

Mercedes-Benz Recalls Nearly 12,000 Electric Vehicles, Says Battery Packs Could Ignite

Mercedes-Benz USA has announced a recall of 11,895 electric vehicles due to potentially faulty cells in the automobiles’ high-voltage battery packs that could lead to a fire, like what happened in front of a MBZ dealer in Malaysia in 2024 – though that one was in the middle of charging, while this recall says they can ‘spontaneously catch fire’ either while parked or while driving. The move comes after the NHTSA issued a safety recall notice posted on X on Feb. 12 announcing that it affected 1,708 Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic battery-powered SUVs model years 2022-2024. On top of that, 3,674 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ hybrid compact SUVs model years 2023-2024 and 6,513 2022-2024 EQB 300 4Matic vehicles were recalled. According to the agency, the vehicles could spontaneously catch fire either while parked or while driving due to an internal short circuit in the automobile’s high-voltage battery power supply. The issue stems from variations in the battery manufacturing process, the notice stated. “Certain battery cells in the high-voltage battery, from an early production period, are considered to be less robust against different stress factors potentially occurring during the life of the vehicle,” Mercedes-Benz said. “If a thermal incident were to occur during driving, the driver would be made […]

3 weeks ago

Toyota Remains The World’s Most Reliable Car Brand, Rivian The Least

Who makes the most reliable cars? This visualization, via Visual Capitalist’s Niccolo Conte, ranks the most reliable car brands in 2026 based on predicted reliability scores by Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports calculated predicted reliability scores for nearly every new car, truck, and SUV by analyzing data from its annual member reliability surveys. These surveys collect detailed, self-reported information about problems owners have experienced with their vehicles. For the most recent analysis, CR used responses covering roughly 380,000 vehicles, allowing them to identify patterns in reliability across brands, models, and powertrains. The aggregated results are then used to score and compare vehicles, highlighting trends such as differences between gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models. Japanese Automakers Lead the Rankings Japanese brands claim six of the top seven spots in 2026. Toyota leads the list with a score of 66, followed closely by Subaru and Lexus. These manufacturers are known for conservative engineering, long model cycles, and a focus on proven technology. Rank Brand Predicted reliability score Country 1 Toyota 66 🇯🇵 Japan 2 Subaru 63 🇯🇵 Japan 3 Lexus 60 🇯🇵 Japan 4 Honda 59 🇯🇵 Japan 5 BMW 58 🇩🇪 Germany 6 Nissan 57 🇯🇵 Japan 7 Acura 54 🇯🇵 Japan 8 Buick […]

3 weeks ago

Rolls-Royce Unveils Phantom Arabesque, Inspired by Middle Eastern Mashrabiya

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has hit a new feat in contemporary craftsmanship. This time, with a design that stands apart for the marque’s followers in the Middle East. Its latest Bespoke creation, Phantom Arabesque, is the first-ever laser-engraved bonnet in Rolls-Royce’s history. This one-of-one Phantom Extended was curated by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Private Office Dubai, one of five invitation-only commissioning hubs worldwide. Created for a client in the Middle East, the motor car draws inspiration from mashrabiya latticework, a defining feature of traditional Arabian architecture. The result is a Phantom that reflects both regional cultural identity and the evolving capabilities of Rolls-Royce craftsmanship. Architectural Inspiration from the Middle East Mashrabiya screens are known for their intricate wooden lattice patterns. Traditionally used in homes and palaces across the Middle East, they provide privacy while allowing light and airflow to pass through. They are decorative, functional and closely tied to the region’s architectural heritage. For Phantom Arabesque, this geometric pattern becomes the central design theme. It appears on the bonnet, within the interior Gallery, and as subtle Bespoke details throughout the motor car. According to the Bespoke design team at Private Office Dubai, the goal was to interpret the qualities of mashrabiya, privacy, […]

3 weeks ago

A Look Back at the Genesis Art Gallery Hosted by First Motors

It has been some time since First Motors, the exclusive distributor of Genesis in Bahrain, transformed its flagship Sitra showroom into a temporary art space. Yet the Your Genesis Art Gallery remains memorable for good reason. Created in honour of Bahrain’s 54th National Day, the exhibition brought together fine art and automotive design in a way that felt deliberate, grounded, and distinctly local. Rather than a conventional brand activation, the gallery positioned the showroom as a cultural venue. Eleven Bahraini artists were invited to exhibit their work, creating an environment where collectors, art enthusiasts, and visitors could engage with contemporary expressions of national identity alongside Genesis’s design-led automotive lineup. The participating artists were Abbas Al Mosawi, Nada Alawi, Huda Al Marzooq, Khalil Al Madhoon, Salah Bushehri, Mahmood Al‑Sharqawi, Zainab Rashid Swar, Isa Mansoor Saleh, Faten Qamber, Mahmood Al Mulla, and Mahmood Qannati. Working across varied media and styles, their pieces reflected themes of movement, form, memory, and national pride, aligning naturally with the spirit of the National Day celebrations. Culture Meets Craftsmanship Set among models such as the G80 and G90, the artworks created a visual dialogue between engineering precision and artistic interpretation. The pairing was intentional. Balance, proportion, and […]

Beyond the Drive: Porsche Bahrain Merges Art and Automotive Design

3 weeks ago

Beyond the Drive: Porsche Unveils Rare Macan Gems Collection in Bahrain

Porsche Centre Bahrain unveiled three specially designed Macan vehicles at a recent event, each inspired by a different gemstone: Emerald, Sapphire, and Amethyst. Over 100 guests attended the celebration, including members of the Porsche female community, to see the new Gems Collection. Each of the three Macan configurations represents a different character. Emerald embodies heritage and distinction, Sapphire reflects elegance and grace, while Amethyst showcases modernity and confidence. The collection highlights how versatile the Macan is and what’s possible through personalisation. “The Macan has always been a symbol of versatility and individuality. With the Macan Gems Collection, we wanted to showcase how configuration, design, and performance can come together to reflect different personalities. This collection is about celebrating confidence, self-expression, and the idea that luxury is defined by the individual,” said Timothy Price, General Manager at Porsche Centre Bahrain The evening featured partnerships with local creatives. Annada by Nada and Noor Al Alawi showcased an exclusive collection created in collaboration with Porsche, designed to reflect the aesthetic of the Macan Gems Collection. Speaking about the inspiration behind the concept, Semreen Ahmed, Marketing Manager at Porsche Centre Bahrain, said, “The Macan Gems Collection was created to resonate with women who are […]

3 weeks ago

Bahrain: Emergency-Lane Crash Death Case: Verdict On March 17

At around 4.20 am, two vehicles were stopped in the emergency lane due to a tyre failure when a man in his thirties allegedly drove into them, killing one person and injuring three others. The High Criminal Court has scheduled March 17 as the date to issue its verdict in the case. The Public Prosecution stated that the defendant caused the death by mistake and injured three people after failing to exercise due care while driving. Prosecutors said he crossed the yellow line and entered the emergency lane in an unsafe manner. The accused also faces charges of damaging public and private property and endangering road users, including pedestrians, through unsafe driving practices such as sudden swerving and repeated lane changes. According to court testimony, one vehicle had stopped in the emergency lane after suffering a tyre failure, and a second car pulled up in front of it to provide assistance. At the time of the collision, four passengers were inside the vehicles.

3 weeks ago

Bahrain: BIC Gears Up For F1 Pre-Season Testing With Fun For The Whole Family

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is ready to welcome motorsport fans for the 2026 F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing, offering exciting experiences both on and off the track. The circuit will host six days of testing over two three-day sessions, from Wednesday to Friday this week (11–13 February) and again from 18–20 February. Fans will have the chance to witness F1’s highly anticipated “new era” cars in action for the first time, including the next-generation F1 cars and the debut of the new Cadillac F1 Team, alongside established teams such as Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, McLaren, and more. Public access will be available on the last two days of each session, this Thursday and Friday (12–13 February) and again on 19–20 February. Beyond watching the cars on track, visitors can enjoy a range of interactive activities, including racing simulators, Batak reaction games, and stick-catching challenges, testing reflexes and coordination just like F1 drivers. A special display of the 2026 F1 car in Bahrain livery will also be available for fans to see up close. Tickets for each open day are priced at BD10 for adults and BD5 for children, with free access on 19–20 February for those who purchased tickets for […]

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Chinese Automaker Soueast Launches A New Phase In The Saudi Market Under The Slogan “For Those Who Lead The Vision”

BIC Set For Three Exciting Days Of F1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026

Mercedes-Benz Recalls Nearly 12,000 Electric Vehicles, Says Battery Packs Could Ignite

Toyota Remains The World’s Most Reliable Car Brand, Rivian The Least

Rolls-Royce Unveils Phantom Arabesque, Inspired by Middle Eastern Mashrabiya

A Look Back at the Genesis Art Gallery Hosted by First Motors

Beyond the Drive: Porsche Unveils Rare Macan Gems Collection in Bahrain

Bahrain: Emergency-Lane Crash Death Case: Verdict On March 17

Bahrain: BIC Gears Up For F1 Pre-Season Testing With Fun For The Whole Family

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