Foreign Automakers Review Relationships with Tunisian Partners, which...”happen” to be Relatives of the Ousted President

The looting of the Ferrari 599 GTB owned by former Tunisian president Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali and the smashing of cars owned by his relatives including a Ferrari California may have been eye-catching in an offbeat sort of way, but there are more important automotive-related stories coming out from Tunisia.

It has been reported by several news agencies that Tunisians are also destroying random vehicles made by Kia, Fiat, Porsche and other makers. The reason? Because the companies that distribute them are controlled by members of the ruling family. Now, in light of all the latest developments, many international automakers are reviewing their business ties to the extended family of Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali, according to the Financial Times.

The daily newspaper said that up until now, the country's car market, which totaled just under 60,000 units in 2010, was heavily regulated by its trade ministry that favored importers controlled one way or another by relatives of the former president or his wife, Leila Trabelsi.

Companies controlled or owned by the family members of the ousted presidential couple include:

-Ford, which sells cars in Tunisia through a company partially owned by Belhassen Trabelsi, the former president’s brother-in-law;

-Ennakl, a dealer for Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, and Seat controlled by Mohamed Sakher al-Materi, the president’s son-in-law;

-Kia, which distributes its models through City Cars, part of the El Materi Princess Holding, another company controlled by the former president’s son-in-law, Mohamed Sakher al-Materi;

-Le Moteur, which acts as an importer for several companies including Mercedes-Benz and Fiat, and is owned by Marouane Mabrouk, the deposed president’s son-in-law;

-Peugeot, which is represented by Stafim, a company in which Mehdi Belgaid – said to be engaged to Halima Ben Ali, the former president’s daughter – owns a stake;

Some carmakers such as Audi have stopped exporting their cars to the country because they are not sure if they would clear customs as well for their safety once they arrive on the dealer lots. The financial daily quoted Audi as saying; “We will have to look at whether we can continue doing business with this partner and whether they are the right partner for us. ”

Ford said it also looking into the matter and reassessing ties with its Tunisian importer, while Mercedes-Benz said it found no wrongdoing on behalf of Le Moteur but will monitor the situation. A Peugeot spokesman said the automaker will wait to see what the new government will do with companies associated with the president's family.

Other carmakers, including Kia and Porsche, said that for the time being, they will continue to do business as usual with their partners. Porsche in particular said it has no plans to change its arrangement with Ennaki “as long as the company is operational and paying for cars”.

The newspaper said that Fiat "would not comment on its business in Tunisia, or its local partner."

Source: Financial Times

VIDEO: Driver Tries and Fails Spectacularly to Park

For years the debate has raged over unintended acceleration. Is it the result of a design defect or is it simply driver error? Well, this video put forward for the case of the latter as one driver's attempt to park goes horribly, hilariously wrong. Watch the white car entering from the top right at approximately 6 seconds in. Everything seems normal up until 23 seconds, when suddenly...

You might have to watch it again to get the full effect. With the steering wheel still hard over, the driver realizes he or she has gone too far. Rather than hitting the brake, he or she hits the accelerator instead and the car surges forward, demolishing a door and slamming into the side of another parked car.

It's one of those things that has to be watched over and over again (I know I did). Feel free to leave your jibes, chides and other remarks in the comments below

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Gawker

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Seat IBE Coupe Concept 2 in the Flesh from the Paris Motor Show

Following on from our preview of Seat's latest IBE Concept model, we now have live pictures of the compact sports coupe from the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Improvements over the first IBE Concept, which was shown in Geneva earlier this year, include refinements to the design and technology, while the Paris Show car now also sports an interior.

Measuring in at just 3.83 meters (12.5 ft) in length, the IBE Paris is smaller than Volkswagen's Scirocco. Utilizing a 75 kw (102 hp) electric drive system, the concept is good for 130 km (81 miles) on a single charge. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) can be achieved in 9.7 seconds

"The IBE shows SEAT's vision for a car of the future that is as emotional as it is ecologically responsible and affordable," said Seat's design boss of former Lamborghini fame, Luc Donckerwolke.

"The IBE is a concentrated version of our design DNA. Both exterior and interior are characterised by their focus on key elements, by a clear and precise architecture, by modern technology and by materials that are as high-quality as they are ecological."

By Tristan Hankins

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Paris Preshow: Seat IBE Sports Coupe Concept No2

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, which opens on 30 September, Seat will present a second iteration of its IBE small sports car concept. The first version of the coupe-ish hatchback with the low bonnet and long roofline was introduced at the Geneva Salon this past March (see here).

Since then, the car has gained an interior while its exterior design has been tweaked with a restyled lower fascia and new LED headlamps and tail lights. Furthermore, the car is now finished in a more eye-catching cherry-red color.

The super-compact sports coupe concept with the 2+2 seat layout is around 200 mm shorter than the Ibiza measuring just 3,830 mm in length. However, it is also unusually wide at 1,770 mm with a height of just 1,230 mm.

The Spanish automaker says the IBE has ample space for two and "plenty of room in the back for the option of a trip for four". The rear seat backs can be folded individually to form a flat surface that is level with the floor of the luggage compartment.

The concept is equipped with several gadgets including a wireless application to connect a smart phone to the IBE and conduct an on-line check of the car's systems.

The IBE is an all-electric vehicle. The drive motor, which has a maximum output of 75 kW (102 hp) and 200 Nm of torque, is located together with the power electronics at the front of the car, while the lithium-ion battery is positioned in the rear.

Seat says that the IBE, which tips the scales at only 1,100 kg or 2,425 pounds, can dash from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.6 seconds and reach 100km/h from standstill in 9.7 seconds. Top speed pegged at 160 km/h or 100 mph, while the battery offers a total driving range of around 130 kilometers (80 miles).

Paris Preshow: 2011 Seat Exeo with Interior Refinements, LED Tail Lights and New 7-Speed CVT

Seat is debuting the 2011 model year versions of its Exeo sedan and ST estate at this week's Paris Auto Show. The VW Group owned company says that both models, which are based on the previous generation Audi A4, are roomier, as there is more space available to backseat passengers after redesigning the front seats and rear bench, while other updates include the introduction of a 7-speed Multitronic transmission on the 2.0 TDI CR Diesel version.

Thanks to some minor revisions to the front seat back and rear bench designs, room in the back is said to have increased by 44 millimeters (+1.7-inches) without affecting seating comfort [according to Seat] or luggage space.

Under the hood, Seat has equipped the 143-hp 2.0 TDI CR Diesel version with the continuously variable Multitronic gearbox. The transmission on this model offers a sport program that delivers gear shifting at higher rev speeds, and a 7-speed manual mode controlled via steering wheel mounted shift paddles.

According to Seat, this combination returns an average fuel consumption of 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers, which is equal to 40.6 mpg US and 48.7 mpg UK.

Other changes include the revised tail lamps featuring LED technology and the addition of a new 230 V socket on the central console.

More details including availability will be released at the Paris motor show.

SEAT Palma: Design Proposal for a Spanish Audi A5 Sportback

Not long ago, we shared the news about some allegedly leaked sketches for numerous future SEAT cars -that may or may not be official- including some that showed a design proposal for an Audi A5 Sportback-like hatch. Now, a member of the Hungarian site 'Hvtm' has taken an A5 Sportback and turned it into a SEAT by restyling the car's nose and rear end as well as the profile. Check out both pictures after the jump and tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Source: Hvtmu