In a significant move reflecting the depth of trade cooperation between Saudi Arabia and India, LuLu Hypermarket introduced a wide range of Indian-made products across its stores as part of the Diwali festival. 

Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the Diwali Utsav at LuLu Hypermarket, which also saw the debut of several India-made products across their stores. The minister expressed appreciation for LuLu’s efforts in promoting Indian products in the Kingdom. He also praised the Indian community in Saudi Arabia for their hard work, resilience, and commitment to both their home and host countries, as he said they play an integral role in building bridges between cultures and economies.

More than 50 new products have been introduced, including premium A2 ghee, millet-based breakfast cereals, and organic beauty items. Ladakh apples, supported by international trade initiatives, alongside Indian Cavendish bananas, and dragon fruit, have also been launched.

Describing LuLu Chairman Yusuff Ali M.A. as the “Roving Ambassador of India,” Goyal said: “As the leading retail organization in the Middle East, LuLu’s commitment to showcasing high quality Indian products exemplifies the diverse acceptance of Indian products across the nations. This initiative not only supports local industries but also strengthens the economic ties between India and Saudi Arabia.”

“This initiative aims to promote the products of India, including the taste and culture of our country, among the national population and the large expatriate community residing in the region. We are on track to open our 100th store in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within two years, which will ensure direct job opportunities for 10,000 Saudi nationals,” said Chairman Ali.

The launch event also included vibrant cultural performances, with local students presenting traditional dances to celebrate cultural diversity, complemented by a Saudi drumming troupe performing traditional music, creating a festive atmosphere.

This initiative is part of Lulu’s broader strategy to expand its offerings, having added more than 10,000 products to the store.

LuLu recently announced an Initial Public Offering for 25 percent of its share capital on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, offering an opportunity for public investment in the GCC’s largest and fastest-growing full-line retailer. The subscriptions are open till Nov. 5. The final offer price will be announced on Nov. 6, with the listing anticipated on Nov. 14.

Samaco Motors, the official importer of Porsche in Saudi Arabia, hosted an event in the Saudi capital on Oct. 28 to celebrate the launch of the new, all-electric Macan and the new updated Taycan in the Kingdom.

The event attracted Porsche customers, business leaders, media professionals, social media influencers and Porsche enthusiasts, all of whom enjoyed the first look of the company’s latest products.

The event is part of Porsche’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the Saudi automotive market and showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the field of electric vehicles.

During the launch ceremony, the features and specifications of the two new vehicles were demonstrated, and attendees had the opportunity to explore the models and learn more about them.

The launch of the electric Macan and the updated Taycan is an important step for Porsche to diversify and update its product range in line with its strategy to introduce more electrified models.

The new Macan features powertrains delivering up to 639 PS, offering top-tier performance on any terrain. With fast charging capabilities of up to 270 kW, the Macan showcases Porsche’s commitment to electric mobility. Both the Macan 4 and Macan Turbo provide an all-wheel drive, Porsche Traction Management, and top-class E-Performance.

The Macan 4 generates up to 408 PS and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 220 km/h.

Meanwhile, the Macan Turbo boasts 639 PS, rocketing from 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, with a top speed of 260 km/h.

The DC charging capability of the Macan is up to 270 kW. Under ideal conditions, the battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 21 minutes at a compatible fast-charging station, making the Macan an excellent companion for both everyday use and long journeys.

The new all-electric Macan can charge rapidly over a very wide state-of-charge range — with the battery temperature and weather conditions having relatively little impact on the charging time. The battery is preconditioned for an optimal charging experience.

The new all-electric Macan represents Porsche’s continued evolution toward sustainability, offering a range of advanced driving technologies, comprehensive assistance systems, and complete digital connectivity. This model is designed for drivers who value exceptional design and personalized customization, with exclusive options available through Porsche’s bespoke Exclusive Manufaktur program. With more than 800,000 Macans delivered worldwide since 2014, the new Macan marks the next milestone in Porsche’s journey toward a more sustainable future.

Meanwhile, Porsche has comprehensively improved the Taycan model range, significantly enhancing the overall system performance of the car. 

This is not only reflected in every model of the Taycan range, but even more in the new GT offer.

The Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.2 seconds.This makes it two-tenths of a second faster than the Taycan Turbo S. The difference in acceleration from rest to 200 km/h is even more pronounced: the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package needs 6.4 seconds. Its top speed is 305 km/h.

Thanks to additional aerodynamic measures and lightweight construction, the model is even more performance-oriented. This makes the new Taycan now also the most powerful production car Porsche has ever built. With its outstanding track capabilities, it has set lap records on international racetracks and further raised the benchmark in terms of driving dynamics.