
Nissan expands Zero Gravity Seat technology across more models in the Middle East
Customers across the Middle East can now experience Nissan's Zero Gravity Seats in a variety of SUV and sedan models, including the all-new Patrol, Pathfinder, X-TRAIL, KICKS, and Altima. Drivers looking for climate-resilient comfort or track-inspired performance will also find specialized seat innovations in the all-new Magnite and Nissan Z range.
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Al Bawaba
4 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Toyota Kickstarts Era of Electrified Off-Roader with Launch of First-Ever Hybrid Land Cruiser in the Middle East, and now in Jordan
Toyota Motor Corporation is proud to announce the Middle East launch of the all-new Land Cruiser HEV; the first hybrid electric model in the iconic Land Cruiser series. Setting a benchmark for electrified off-road vehicles, the model will soon be available in Jordan through Markazia vehicle fuses seven decades of heritage with Toyota's cutting-edge hybrid technology, delivering enhanced performance while maintaining the unmatched reliability, durability and all-terrain capability for which the Land Cruiser is momentous launch, which sees the all-new Land Cruiser HEV debut first in the Middle East, highlights the unique and longstanding relationship between the region and the Land Cruiser nameplate. Since the model's inception in 1951, the Land Cruiser has supported the lives and livelihoods of people across the globe, becoming an indispensable tool across some of the world's harshest introduction of the all-new Land Cruiser HEV marks a bold step toward Toyota's vision for carbon neutrality under its multi-pathway approach, offering customers greater choice while ensuring no compromises on capability or reliability. Building upon 28 years of leadership in hybrid technology, Toyota has applied its extensive expertise to manufacture an electric off-roader capable of lending superior power, driving refinement and environmental benefits, all while staying true to the Land Cruiser Uchiyama, Chief Engineer in charge of development, commented, "The fully remodeled Land Cruiser, introduced in 2021, has been so well received across all regions, and we are deeply grateful for our customers' continued support. As the global drive towards a carbon-neutral society accelerates, we recognize the importance of offering electric vehicle options for our flagship Land Cruiser. It is an honor to introduce the Land Cruiser Hybrid first to the Middle East, a region whose valuable feedback has helped shape the Land Cruiser's evolution. While we have made significant advancements, this is only the beginning of our journey as we work to create the ultimate electric off-roader, evolving it further with the insights and experiences of our loyal customers."The Land Cruiser HEV inherits the core DNA that has defined the series for generations - reliability, durability and exceptional off-road performance - now enhanced through electrification. The hybrid system introduces a 20% increase in torque and a 40% improvement in accelerator response compared to conventional powertrains, resulting in a driving experience that is more powerful, more linear and more responsive across every development and real-world testing on global terrains, including the deserts, mudflats and mountainous landscapes of the Middle East, ensured that the all-new Land Cruiser HEV remains capable of taking drivers anywhere and everywhere - and bringing them back safely. Invaluable lessons learned from Toyota's participation in off-road rallies such as the Dakar Rally were also incorporated into the development process to enhance the vehicle's endurance and performance in extreme a result, the Land Cruiser HEV's hybrid system has been designed per the highest standards and with true off-road reliability in mind. Even in the unlikely event of hybrid unit failure, the vehicle can continue operating solely on the combustion engine, guaranteeing peace of mind in remote areas. The hybrid battery compartment has been specially waterproofed to maintain the Land Cruiser's famed fording ability, allowing it to tackle rivers and water obstacles confidently. The vehicle also offers a third-row seat and cargo layout optimized explicitly for the addition of the HEV system, without sacrificing versatility or interior launch of the Land Cruiser HEV represents more than just the evolution of a legendary vehicle - it is a commitment to a future where Toyota continues to deliver solutions that meet customer needs without forfeiting its core values. By bringing electrification to its most trusted off-roader, Toyota reaffirms its dedication to creating vehicles that inspire trust, adventure and enduring loyalty. As Toyota looks ahead to an era of sustainable mobility, the Land Cruiser HEV stands as a proud example of innovation rooted in tradition, presenting customers across Jordan, the Middle East and the world with an even better way to explore new horizons.


Al Bawaba
7 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Gartner Forecasts MENA IT Spending to Reach $169 Billion in 2026
IT spending in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is projected to total $169 billion in 2026, an increase of 8.9% from 2025, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc.'The MENA region is rapidly emerging as a global tech powerhouse, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leveraging its stability, infrastructure and forward-looking policies to attract global partners and build digital skills that empower innovation and support resilient AI-driven economies,' said Mim Burt, Practice VP at Gartner. 'Even amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty, chief information officers (CIOs) in MENA are making strategic investments in AI, intelligent automation and multi-cloud strategies, while strengthening cyber defenses and advancing talent upskilling. These efforts are not only driving innovation and economic diversification but also contributing to the region's projected IT spending growth in 2026.'Data Center Systems Remain Highest-Growth Segment in 2026 Despite Slower MomentumGrowth in data center systems spending in MENA is expected to remain strong in 2026, though the pace will ease compared to 2025. Spending is projected to increase 37.3% in 2026, making it the highest-growing IT segment, but at a slower rate than this year as the market shifts from rapid build-out to incremental and sustained investment (see Table 1).'Data center system spending is expected to accelerate as MENA CIOs and technology leaders invest in AI-enabled software and AI-optimized infrastructure,' said Eyad Tachwali, VP, Advisory at Gartner. 'This surge is largely fueled by pent-up demand for generative AI (GenAI) and advanced machine learning, which depend on robust computing power for large-scale data processing. Most of this demand is being driven by governments, hyperscalers, technology providers and organizations focused on developing and deploying AI models, rather than traditional enterprises or consumers.'AI Integration Reshapes IT Spending Priorities in MENASoftware spending in MENA is expected to grow 13.9% to $20.4 billion in 2026, as organizations accelerate adoption of GenAI capabilities. Gartner predicts that by 2028, 75% of global software spend will be on solutions with GenAI functionality.'CIOs will increasingly be offered embedded GenAI capabilities in enterprise applications, productivity and developer tools, more advanced large language models as well as AI-optimized servers to support AI-as-a-service,' said Burt. 'Providers are also exploring new pricing models across software and hardware to drive revenue.'As AI becomes central to innovation, its integration into software and IT services is fundamentally reshaping spending priorities across the region, with IT services spending in MENA projected to grow 8.3% in 2026.'With the rapid acceleration of AI infrastructure and adoption in MENA, CIOs must move beyond GenAI as a productivity tool and embed it into the heart of their business strategy,' said Tachwali. 'The real competitive edge will come from building strong data foundations, composable technology platforms and cultivating AI-fluent talent—core enablers for unlocking differentiated value from AI.'Gartner's IT spending forecast methodology relies heavily on rigorous analysis of the sales by over a thousand vendors across the entire range of IT products and services. Gartner uses primary research techniques, complemented by secondary research sources, to build a comprehensive database of market size data on which to base its Gartner quarterly IT spending forecast delivers a unique perspective on IT spending across the hardware, software, IT services and telecommunications segments. These reports help Gartner clients understand market opportunities and challenges. The most recent IT spending forecast research is available to Gartner clients in Gartner Market Databook, 2Q25 CIO & IT Executive Conference Gartner analysts will provide additional analysis on insights and trends shaping the future of IT and business, including accelerating business transformation, application modernization, infrastructure and operations at the Gartner CIO & IT Executive Conference, taking place September 22-24 in São Paulo and October 6-8 in Dubai. Follow news and updates from the conference on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerCIO.


Wamda
15 hours ago
- Wamda
What if the unicorn obsession is holding MENA back?
An article by Imad Eddine Oubiri For over a decade, the term 'unicorn' has defined what success looks like in the startup world—high valuation, rapid scale, and global attention. In MENA, the concept carried a special promise: that bold entrepreneurship could leapfrog legacy systems and put the region on the innovation map. But as ecosystems across the region mature, and as more entrepreneurs, investors, and governments take stock of what truly drives value, it's worth asking a simple question: What if the next big thing isn't a unicorn at all? What if lasting impact lies not in chasing myth but in building well? Startups Begin with Questions, Not Valuations Despite the headlines, most startups don't begin with billion-dollar goals. They begin with frustration. Or insight. They may also start with a question that warrants further investigation. They emerge in the in-between spaces—between systems that don't work and communities that need better. At this early stage, the most important metric isn't growth—it's clarity. Who are we building for? What problem are we actually solving? Is it working? This phase is about designing value, not scaling it. It's where many companies plant the seeds of trust, relevance, and resilience. From startup to scaleup: a shift in mindset Scaling isn't just about growth—it's about growing with intention. This means moving from experimentation to structure, from instinct to system. In the scale-up phase, challenges become more complex: The challenge involves hiring without sacrificing cultural values, ensuring management does not slow down, and expanding without overreaching. In MENA, scaling also means navigating fragmented markets, regulatory variability, and emerging infrastructure. That requires more than ambition—it demands adaptability, long-term thinking, and a profound understanding of local context. Not every success story needs to be a unicorn The unicorn ideal is useful, but it's incomplete. There are other models of success worth recognising: A company that builds quietly but consistently in underserved sectors A mission-driven enterprise that reinvests in its community A digital solution that improves public systems or strengthens local resilience A venture that reaches profitability instead of chasing endless fundraising These companies may not be unicorns, but they are often the ones who stay, who hire locally, who adapt to change, and who remain deeply relevant to the places they serve, especially in emerging economies; speed alone doesn't build systems, context does. Redefining success for MENA's next chapter As the region's ecosystem grows, so should its definition of success. We need to tell more stories about companies that: Solve real-world problems Design for resilience Grow from insight, not just capital Choose steady relevance over viral growth Create value that's measurable in more than valuation The next generation of builders in the Arab world deserves space to pursue models that may not fit the unicorn template—but that fit the region's long-term needs. A quiet, strategic future Innovation isn't always loud. Quiet, intentional, and sustainable construction characterises some of the most impactful ventures. They serve first, scale later, and endure longer. They may not chase mythical valuations, but they do something more grounded: They stay, they evolvem and they build what matters. And that's what the next big thing really looks like.