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Women are now allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia

This is a great time for women in Saudi Arabia, because due to a reform in the country’s regulations, as of June 2018, women will be allowed to drive on their own. King Salman, ruler of the kingdom, has decreed that it is now lawful for women in that country to drive on its roads.

Prior to the announcement, women who were caught driving on public roads would have faced harsh legal punishment which included being arrested and fined. For many years, activist groups have rallied to have the government alter the legislation.

Regardless of how educated or capable a woman was, it was still considered unlawful for her to drive. The Kingdom’s rather conservative policies forbid women from getting behind the wheel, until now. According to an article by the BBC, there is an estimated 800,000 chauffeurs who currently ferry Saudi women to their destinations.

Now however, the new ruling will enable Saudi women to experience the thrill of driving, legally, which may negate their need for someone to chauffeur them around. That said, the news was well received all over, especially to activist groups.

Heads of state around the world, including the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, were delighted with the news. This reform could pave the way for other ones, which could lead the Saudi government into accepting a more liberal stance on other issues involving women.

Politics aside, this should be a good time to be a car dealer in Saudi Arabia. This is because, as of today, a big chunk of the population in Saudi Arabia are now allowed to own a driver’s license and a vehicle. This surge in demand for vehicles might result in car dealerships springing up all over the kingdom.

Source: BBC

Ford does its bit to help with disaster relief in Mexico and Caribbean Islands

Ford is doing its part to help with disaster relief in regions that were hardest hit by the recent wave of natural disasters. One of the most recent of the lot, was a powerful earthquake that struck Mexico on 7th September and then another, just 12 days later.

Apart from this, the after effects of Hurricane Maria that struck the Caribbean on September 20th, knocked out power and severely damaged much of Puerto Rico when it came ashore with category 4 winds. It also laid waste to property in the Virgin Islands, which was still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Irma.

Ford has managed to contribute $200,000 USD (RM 841,300) to the United Way in Mexico (Fondo Unido Mexico) and will match employee donations to the Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund, up $50,000 USD (RM 210,325). Ford Mexico & Dealers Civic Committee is also providing $200,000 ((RM 841,300) in support to United Way Mexico and toward rebuilding schools.

In total, Ford will probably raise close to half a million US dollars (RM 2,103,250) to help with disaster relief efforts in Mexico, which will take the country a considerable mount of time to recover from. As for the hurricane relief efforts, Ford will be donating $100,000 USD (RM 420,650) and the Ford region is contributing an additional $100,000 USD (RM 420,650).

Besides this, the Blue Oval will continue to match contributions to the American Red Cross, up to $300,000 (RM 1,261,950). This, as well as other efforts by its employees have ensured that a substantial amount of money has been raised for a good cause.

Experts say that the recent hurricanes occurrences can be considered as a side effect of global warming. In recent years, our planet has been heating up, as a result, the air has been retaining far more moisture than before. This in turn, could eventually cause significant climate change in the coming years.

Fiat 500X Fulham FC Edition built to celebrate partnership and fans

Football fans might find this news quite interesting considering its nature. A special edition Fiat 500X has been launched in London to celebrate the partnership between Fiat Chrysler Motor Village UK and Fulham Football Club.

As the name suggests, this particular 500X been given a new colour scheme that pays tribute to that of the Fulham football team. The extended wheelbase 500 gets distinctive styling details, exclusive black, white and red paint finish and unique ‘FFC’ badging, as well as other standard equipment.

Apart from that, and like its base model sibling, the Fulham edition 500X also comes with alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, rear parking sensors, climate control, six airbags, cruise control and 5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth, USB and aux-in socket.

As of now, only 15 examples of this vehicle will ever be created, which is designed exclusively for Fulham FC season ticket holders. A prize draw will also be conducted where one lucky winner will get to drive a new Fiat 500X Fulham FC Special Edition for two weeks and have the keys handed to them by the team’s players.

“This is another excellent example of how we are teaming up with Fulham FC and its supporters,” says Fabio di Prima, managing director, Motor Village UK. “Of course, if a non-season ticket holder would like to buy the Fulham FC Special Edition – or any other of our large range of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles cars – we would be delighted to sign them up!”

Motor Village UK is the official car partner to Fulham FC and offer enticing deals to club season ticket holders on new Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Abarth cars. We shall have to wait and see if other automakers follow suit and team up with the leading clubs of the UK’s Premier League to introduce their own version of football team themed vehicles.

Aston Martin has become title sponsor of Red Bull Racing team

Aston Martin has announced that it is now the title sponsor for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. Next year, the team will compete in the 2018 championship as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing. The move will allow for better brand presence for Aston Martin, and entice the automaker to become more involved in the sport.

Both companies will have a closer working relationship pertaining to the development of F1 and road car technology. In fact, the ostentatious Aston Martin Valkyrie, which was unveiled in 2016, was a collaborative effort between both parties. Deliveries of the supercar to customers should take place sometime next year, but I digress.

This new F1 partnership will see the creation for 110 new jobs including employees who will be responsible for the future development of sports cars of these companies. Red Bull Racing has admitted that more than 100 of Aston Martin staff will service the new Advanced performance centre in Milton Keynes, the location of its HQ.

Despite Aston Martin admitting that the collaboration will offer the supercar maker better brand awareness and opportunities, that is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, Aston’s CEO, Andy Palmer has said that, if conditions become favorable to the automaker, it could entertain the possibility of becoming an engine supplier.

Aston Martin will only be willing to consider the idea if the FIA make certain changes that allow for better regulations on the costs and dynamometer hours. It isn’t willing to jump in the game as did Honda, until it feels that it can be reasonably competitive in the sport.

This news comes after Porsche admitted that it is mulling over the idea of becoming an engine supplier for Formula One teams in 2021. Thanks to certain regulation changes in the sport, mainstream automakers are beginning to see the benefits of getting involved in Formula One.

Source: F1.com

Porsche North America issues recall for Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006

Porsche North America has issued a statement regarding the recall of Cayenne vehicles built between 2003-2006. The reason for the recall is due to an issue pertaining to the fuel pump filter. The automaker has found that, overtime and extended usage, hairline cracks could develop on the flange of the fuel pump filter of affected vehicles.

If this does happen, a ‘very small quantity’ of fuel could seep through these cracks, which can cause a noticeable fuel odour. Though the automaker is playing down the issue, when problems regarding fuel seepage arises, they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Porsche’s remedy for the problem is to have an authorized dealer replace the fuel pump filter flange at no cost to owners. The procedure should take approximately one and a half hours to complete, which means that inconvenience to Cayenne customers should be kept at a minimum.

So far, the German automaker has identified that 50,145 Cayenne vehicles are affected by the recall in North America. It is treating the rectification process as a ‘voluntary recall’, meaning that the issue isn’t of immediate concern to Cayenne owners.

That said, this problem seems to be isolated to the North American market. As for now, vehicles sold in other parts of the world don’t seem to have inherited this defect. Vehicles built in that part of the world, rarely share similar parts or suppliers with identical models sold in other markets.

Though many consider it as a point against Porsche’s Quality Control procedures, this goes to show that customer satisfaction is a priority for Porsche. Unlike some automakers, the company isn’t fully focused on sales profit, instead, it is still concerned with the safety of customers who have older models and are content with keeping them.

Project Cars 2 to feature second-gen BAC Mono

Project Cars 2, the second installment of the highly acclaimed racing simulator game will feature the Briggs Automotive Company’s (BAC) Mono racer. It will be made available for console platforms that include the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

BAC worked with the developers of Project Cars, Slightly Mad Studios, to ensure that the Mono that featured in the game, reflects the same driving and handling characteristics as the real thing. They collaborated to bring the car’s unique handling ability, rapid acceleration and brutal braking power into the virtual world.

Considered a driver’s car, the Mono is a lightweight sports car that weighs a mere 580kg. The bodys structure has been made from lightweight materials to ensure that the car doesn’t carry excessive weight.

The vehicle is powered by a 2.5-litre Ford inline four engine that is tuned by Mountune to deliver 305bhp and 310Nm of torque. This coupled with a low kerb weight, gives the Mono a power-to-weight ratio of 525bhp per tonne, which can be considered as supercar-like performance.

Regarding the Mono in PC2, BAC Co-Founder and Director of Product Development, Neill Briggs, said, “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Project CARS 2 and are delighted with how it’s captured the essence of Mono and everything that makes it a global superstar.”

“It’s the dream of driving purists around the world to get behind the wheel of the Mono, and Project CARS 2 provides the next best thing with its realistic handling, poise and speed,” he later added.

Project Cars 2 will be made available on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 starting from 22nd September 2017 for racing simulator fans to enjoy. No word yet on when the game will be made available for those on the PC platform though, but we are hoping that the launch date won’t be that far off.