Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Daimler opens office in Baghdad, Iraq]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/20/daimler-opens-office-in-baghdad-iraq/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/20/daimler-opens-office-in-baghdad-iraq/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/20/daimler-opens-office-in-baghdad-iraq/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As a small step that could be considered a healthy vote of confidence in Iraq's return to stability, Mercedes has established a corporate representative office in Baghdad. Daimler set up shop in Erbil, Iraq last February, opening a training center that would get mechanics ready for coming Mercedes products. By installing a corporate representative, the company will have someone on the ground to figure out how best to introduce new Mercedes products to the country. The rep will focus on examining and developing the market for trucks and buses, which Daimler should have all to itself for a while.

[Source: Daimler]

Daimler opens office in Baghdad, Iraq originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>busbussesdaimleriraqmercedesmiddle eastMiddleEasttrucktrucksFri, 20 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[On the Block: Saddam's Rollers up for sale]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/on-the-block-saddams-rollers-up-for-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/on-the-block-saddams-rollers-up-for-sale/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/on-the-block-saddams-rollers-up-for-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It'd be hard to find a vehicle that conveys a greater sense of authority and superiority than a Rolls-Royce. How about a Rolls-Royce that previously belonged to a dictator? A year and a half since his execution, several uber-luxury automobiles that belonged to Saddam Hussein are now popping up for sale.

Following previous posts on Saddam's '88 Mercedes 560 SEL and Lamborghini LM002 - to say nothing of fellow executed despot Benito Mussolini's Alfa Romeo - comes the sale of a burgundy Rolls-Royce Corniche owned by the deposed Iraqi dictator. The car was acquired by an Iraqi investor and is being sold by Autocontinental, an importer in Surrey, England. The convertible appeared briefly on eBay before disappearing, suggesting there was either a legal issue or the car was sold. Among the prospective buyers cited by the dealership was a U.S .army colonel who wanted to acquire the license plate SADDAM for the ride. Even if the Corniche has already been sold, don't worry, because there are more coming to market, including another Corniche in blue and a gilded Maybach that Saddam never even drove before his regime collapsed.

[Source: Telegraph]

On the Block: Saddam's Rollers up for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dictatorhusseiniraqiraqirolls royceRollsRoycesaddamsaddam husseinsaddam rolls royceSaddamHusseinSaddamRollsRoyceThu, 31 Jul 2008 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[ VIDEO: You think NYC cabbies are crazy? Try Baghdad]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/video-you-think-nyc-cabbies-are-crazy-try-baghdad/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/video-you-think-nyc-cabbies-are-crazy-try-baghdad/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/04/video-you-think-nyc-cabbies-are-crazy-try-baghdad/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Iraq taxi rideDuring the 2008 New York Auto Show we took a short cab ride from the Javits Center to the hotel, and our driver straddled lanes, blew lights, and narrowly missed around three dozen cars. That's nothing compared to this video of a Baghdad cab ride from hell. Photographer Steve Bent of The Sunday Times was traveling to a shoot in an old Nissan 4x4 with a driver and a man he only refers to as the "boss" in the front seat. Bent needed to get to his shoot during morning traffic, and the driver went so far as to pull a Ronin, driving the wrong way down one-way streets while leaning on the horn.

That's kind of nuts, but then the boss man pulls out a 9mm pistol and starts waving it around so other drivers could get the hint that they really needed to move. The "boss" even fires to drive the message home just seconds before arriving at an army checkpoint, where his carries on a completely normal conversation with the soldiers, who seem not at all surprised at the gunplay. When asked why he fired his pistol, the "boss" explained the driver in front of them wouldn't get out of the way. That was enough for the soldiers, who then waved them through the checkpoint, according to Bent. In New York, a move like this would get your name in the paper and your butt in a jail cell. In Iraq, it gets you to your destination on time. Follow the jump to watch for yourselves. The good stuff starts about a minute in, so be patient. Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!

[Source: The Sunday Times]

Continue reading VIDEO: You think NYC cabbies are crazy? Try Baghdad

VIDEO: You think NYC cabbies are crazy? Try Baghdad originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>IraqNissanSteve BentSteveBentTaxi driverTaxiDriverVideoFri, 04 Apr 2008 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: How not to make friends in Iraq while driving a HUMVEE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/how-not-to-make-friends-in-iraq-while-driving-a-humvee/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/how-not-to-make-friends-in-iraq-while-driving-a-humvee/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/how-not-to-make-friends-in-iraq-while-driving-a-humvee/#commentsFiled under:



This video is pretty shocking to watch, as it's difficult to imagine anyone being able to get away with driving like that in the U.S., even the military. But then again, Baghdad isn't Boston and slowing down a HUMVEE for a traffic jam creates a target that's much easier to attack. Nevertheless, it's not difficult to understand why some Iraqis have a distaste for the U.S. military's presence in their country after watching this video, especially if they're car nuts. As we said earlier, though, we wouldn't want to see a video of what might have happened if the HUMVEE had stopped.

If you have a comment, please keep it respectful of the members of the U.S. miltary and the citizens of Iraq.

[Source: CarScoop]

VIDEO: How not to make friends in Iraq while driving a HUMVEE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bumpHUMMERHUMVEEiraqU.S. MilitaryU.s.MilitaryvideoWed, 31 Jan 2007 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Hussein-y Benz?*]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/20/oh-lord-wont-you-buy-me-a-hussein-y-benz/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/20/oh-lord-wont-you-buy-me-a-hussein-y-benz/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/20/oh-lord-wont-you-buy-me-a-hussein-y-benz/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

First Sgt. William von Zeal did a little shopping while stationed in Iraq with the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion-- he picked up what is believed to be Saddam Hussein's 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL for around $5,000 from a private owner in Baghdad.

The white Benz in question was fitted with armor plating, loudspeakers, hidden microphones, and... wait for it... flame throwing side pipes. Likely one of three such white Benzes, Von Zeal has yet to definitively prove that his car was Hussein's, but he does have some clues, including a sales receipt listing "the Iraqi government" as previous owners.

But the reservist may not get the chance to prove its provenance once and for all, because he no longer has the car in his possession-- Federal customs agents seized it in New Haven, Connecticut, and are treating it as a "possible war trophy." The car is being held by the government because of potential infringement upon federal smuggling law violations, along with possible breach of an executive order banning the importation of items owned of the former Iraqi government.

Federal agents were holding the car while investigating possible violations of federal smuggling laws, as well as an executive order barring the importation of property from the former Iraqi regime.

Von Zeal has not been charged with any crimes, but the future of the car and the case is uncertain. At least one Autoblogger hopes he gets his ride back... or better yet, CNN officially declares it will never to use the word 'Pimped' in another headline ever again. Ever.

[Source: The Associated Press via CNN; LyricsFreak]

*(With sincerest apologies to Janis Joplin and Keith Barry, our tipster who came up with the reinterpreted ditty that we can't get out of our heads. Because our friends all drive Porsches, we must make amends)

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Hussein-y Benz?* originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 May 2006 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>411th civil affairs411thCivilAffairs560 SEL560Selbenzcustomscustoms agentCustomsAgentflame throwerFlameThrowerhusseinIraqIRaqi goernmentIraqi regimeIraqiGoernmentIraqiRegimemercedes benzMercedesBenznew havenNewHavenpimp my ridepimpedPimpMyRidesaddamsaddam husseinSaddamHusseinWilliam Von ZealWilliamVonZealSat, 20 May 2006 11:02:00 EST