Indian wins Dh100,000 car from Dubai Traffic Police

Dubai announces more incentives for drivers accumulating white points

Jayaseelan receiving the prize from Dubai Traffic Police (SUPPLIED)

An Indian national was awarded a Dh100,000 car by Dubai’s traffic police for accumulating sufficient white points that made him an ideal driver in the emirate.

The man, Jayaseelan, was picked from among 700 drivers shortlisted by Dubai’s traffic police after they gathered the maximum limit of white points in one year, during which they did not commit any traffic offence or were involved in an accident. Jayaseelan has been awarded Chevrolet Cruz.

Dubai introduced the unique white point system, the first in the region, couple of years ago in a bid to encourage drivers to respect traffic rules as part of a long term strategy to curb accidents and attain its zero death target on roads.

“We honour 700 drivers who collect the maximum limit of white points every year but we intend to increase that number to 1,000,” Dubai traffic police chief Major General Mohammed Al Zafin said, adding that at least one car would also be awarded.

The Indian driver, a private sector employee, said he could hardly believe it when he was called by the police and told about his reward.

He said his children are “very happy” for him and that he is planning to hold a party after receiving the car from the traffic police.

Petrofac in $3.7bn Abu Dhabi deal

Petrofac Emirates is partnering with Daewoo Shipbuilding

British oil and gas group Petrofac said on Thursday that its Petrofac Emirates joint venture firm has won a $3.7-billion (2.8-billion-euro) contract to develop a key field in Abu Dhabi.

“Petrofac is pleased to announce that Petrofac Emirates, its joint venture with Mubadala Petroleum, has been awarded a contract by Zakum Development Company for the Upper Zakum, UZ750 field development in Abu Dhabi,” said a statement from the London-listed firm.

“The contract is worth approximately $3.7 billion and has been secured by Petrofac Emirates in consortium with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd.”

The group added that Petrofac Emirates’ share of the contract was valued at $2.9 billion.

Petrol price cut by Rs 2 per litre, excluding VAT

The cut in petrol price follows two rounds of hike in rates since February

Petrol price was on Friday cut by Rs 2 per litre with effect from midnight tonight, the steepest reduction in rates in nine months. While petrol price has been cut by Rs 2 per litre, excluding local sales tax or VAT, there will be no change in diesel rates.

After including VAT, the reduction in price of petrol in Delhi comes to Rs 2.40 per litre and the fuel will from midnight tonight cost Rs 68.34 per litre as against Rs 70.74 currently. It was expected that oil firms will also effect the monthly hike of 40-50 paise per litre in diesel rates but they deferred the decision apparently to save the government from trouble in Parliament.

When oil firms had last hiked petrol price on 2 March, opposition parties had disrupted one full day’s proceedings. The cut in petrol price follows two rounds of hike in rates since February. Petrol price was hiked by Rs 1.50 a litre on 16 Feb and then by Rs 1.40 per litre from 2 March. Both were excluding VAT.

The reduction in rates was possible as international oil prices have eased. While the slide in international prices of crude oil from $112.73 per barrel to $107.41 enabled reduction in petrol prices, it also helped lower losses on diesel sales. Losses on diesel have come down to Rs 8.64 per litre from Rs 11.26 at the beginning of the month, according to Indian Oil Corp (IOC) which announced the price revision. Oil firms calculate the desired retail price on 1st and 16th of every month based on average imported oil price on the previous fortnight. Petrol price had last been cut by over Rs 2 per litre in June 2012 when prices were reduced from Rs 70.24 to Rs 67.78 per litre. IOC said rupee had depreciated marginally. ‘Following this trend, it has been decided to pass on the benefit to customers,’ the company said.

Related articles

• Petrol price hiked by Rs 1.40 per litre from midnight (ibnlive.in.com)
• Petrol price may come down by Re 1, diesel may cost more (profit.ndtv.com)
• Petrol prices may be cut by Re. 1; diesel to be costlier (thehindu.com)

Indian oil refineries carry on negotiations with the OPEC countries for increase in supply of crude oil

The Indian oil refineries are carrying on negotiations with the OPEC countries for increase in supply of crude oil starting from April 1, 2013 in connection with decrease of imports of oil from Iran.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq already expressed readiness to increase export of oil to India for compensation of its losses in case of termination of deliveries of crude from Iran. Such guarantees of the countries of OPEC increase chances of accession of India to the international sanctions against Iran.

Till date New Delhi, despite the international economic sanctions imposed on Tehran reduced purchases of the Iranian crude oil only in insignificant volumes. According to the Indian representatives, the republic recognizes only UN Security Council endorsed sanctions, rather than those by the USA and the European Union.

Related articles

• Iran Drops Four Places Among Indian Oil Suppliers Amid Sanctions (bloomberg.com)

Maruti Suzuki to unveil the most fuel efficient car

Maruti Suzuki to unveil the most fuel efficient car – Refreshed version of ‘A Star’ to promise 33 kmpl mileage

Maruti Suzuki is soon going to make a bang in the global small car market as it is reported to be working hard to launch the most fuel efficient car.

Alto has been a prominent model for Maruti Suzuki since its launch and all the updated versions of the vehicle have been received well in the Indian market. Though the company had appreciable sale volume of the model, it has unveiled ‘A Star’ into the market which also resulted in a big success for the manufacturer.

As per the information from indianautoblog.com, it has been known that an updated version of the A Star is going to hit stores soon which are expected to have a bang in the global market and Indian market as well. The vehicle will promise mileage of 33 kilometers per liter which is the highest mileage ever so far. The new version has been named as ‘A Star ECO’ which will be completely eco friendly variant.

Maruti is going to make a number of changes in order to make the fuel efficiency possible and the changes will be made both internally as well as externally. The body of the vehicle will be lighter by 20 kg and it will have some modifications to increase the aerodynamics of the vehicle to lower pressure on engine in pulling the vehicle.

Height of the vehicle may be increased a little bit and it will be classified under A+ segment. It will be equipped with a new compact diesel engine which will be more fuel efficient. But the manufacturer should not compromise with the interior of the vehicle as most of the rival models of same price range such as Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Beat are offering elegant interior.

Some recent surveys showed that Maruti is having a little drop in sales from past few quarters and thus it is keen on regaining the momentum in India by introducing more efficient models. The brand new A Star might get unveiled by this spring.

Mercedes Ener-G-Force Concept

Mercedes Benz has released the Vision Ener-G-Force concept sport utility patrol vehicle. Small windows help officers within maintain a low profile, rotating beacons on the roof project the strength of police presence in the vicinity, and the striking design combine with the rugged wheels to make this beast high capable on or off the beaten track. “The Ener-G-Force is the vision of an off-roader that, while reflecting tomorrow’s adventures, also invokes the genes of the Mercedes-Benz off-road icon, the G model. Modern and cool, it could also be a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes-Benz.”