Galadari Automobiles unveils Mazda's new MX-5 sports car

The company's general manager, G A Kazmi, said many units of this Dh106,500 (cash prize) Mazda roadster will be displayed in universities and shopping malls across the UAE particularly Dubai as part of its promotion and advertising campaign.

"We are targeting the young people, and we want the young car lovers to check out this one of the best cars around," he said. "We're thinking of displaying it in universities and shopping malls."

He said the first UAE shipment of 10 vehicles is "all booked up", and between 65-90 more units are being estimated to be purchased until October 2008.

Yesterday Galadari Automobiles launched in Dubai the third-generation Mazda MX-5, the world's lightest-weighted two-seater convertible roadster, for the Gulf market.

"Adding MX-5 to our Mazda portfolio is a landmark to us which will help us fuel the fast growing passion for the brand in the UAE," Kazmi said in a prepared statement.

He said that global demand for the car has been increasing, with cumulative production reaching 761,921 units in March 2006.

Shunji Odahara, regional manager for the Middle East and Africa sales department, overseas division, Mazda Motor Corp, stressed the importance of the UAE as a "strategic market" for Mazda vehicles.

He said, however, that Saudi Arabia is the biggest Gulf market for the company due to its big population. He added that Mazda vehicles are also sold in Kuwait and Bahrain, but not in the two other Gulf countries of Qatar and Oman due to certain regulatory restrictions.

He said Mazda expects to ship 200 units of MX-5 to the Gulf market every year.

Mazda's programme manager Takao Kijima said the third-generation MX-5 features a low, flowing shoulder line and neat, sleek rooflines that make it look stunning with the roof closed or open.

The car's power retractable hard top, which has the world's fastest roof opening and closing system, has no impact on boot space and can be operated with ease by either the driver or the passenger.