
Japanese car exhibition zooms into Ithra
DHAHRAN: Ithra, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, is presenting a special vintage car exhibition, which began on Thursday.
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle
The exhibition is part of the Japan Cultural Days event, hosted at Ithra headquarters in Dhahran to celebrate 70 years of Japan-Saudi relations.
The exhibition is being held outdoors in the Energy Exhibit area, which provides a distinctive setting for this unique display.
Maha Abdulhadi, creative programs specialist at Ithra, told Arab News: 'With help from Japanese classic car enthusiasts Ali Aldhamin and Nazar Alqlaf, we curated this display to showcase a broad range of vehicles that represent a significant chapter in the history of the Japanese car industry, which is highly appreciated in Saudi Arabia.'
The exhibition features 13 cars, most of which are owned by private collectors in Qatif, and spans a variety of classic models, modern designs, and concept vehicles. 'This is a rare opportunity for car enthusiasts in the Kingdom to experience Japanese engineering and design up close,' Abdulhadi said.
The display highlights the design, technology and innovative features of Japanese vehicles, with the cars available for viewing from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
'This unique exhibit showcases Japan's innovative designs, precision engineering, and passion for performance, enhancing the festival experience,' Abdulhadi said. 'A Japanese car show as part of the Japan Cultural Days highlights Japan's rich automotive heritage, fosters community engagement, and promotes cultural exchange. It also attracts car enthusiasts.'
The exhibition ends on February 8, marking the conclusion of the Japan Cultural Days celebration.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Japan and FIA united in global goals, says Ben Sulayem
DUBAI: An official visit to Japan by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has reaffirmed the ties between the organization and one of the world's most influential nations in motorsport and mobility. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Hosted by the Japan Automobile Federation and President Masayoshi Sakaguchi, the visit highlighted the country's investment in smart infrastructure and the evolving role of cities as arenas for both mobility innovation and sporting events. As motorsport's international governing body and federation for mobility organizations, the FIA is committed to building partnerships that drive innovation, safety and sustainability. During his official visit, Ben Sulayem met with key figures including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency Koji Murofushi, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hiromasa Nakano. 'This has been an important milestone for the FIA as we deepen our relationship with Japan, a country that continues to lead by example in both mobility innovation and motorsport development,' said Ben Sulayem. 'It was a personal honor to meet with Prime Minister Ishiba and leading ministers, and to witness firsthand the energy and commitment driving progress across the sector.' Discussions focused on common challenges and opportunities from advancing cleaner technologies and enhancing road safety to expanding access to motorsport and preparing for the future of urban mobility. 'From transformative government policies to world-class sporting activities including four FIA World Championship events, Japan shows how integrated approaches to mobility and sport can serve society,' added Ben Sulayem. 'The JAF's dual role as a sport and mobility leader, representing more than 20 million members and hosting our championships, is truly remarkable and I am grateful for their hospitality and support.' JAF President Masayoshi Sakaguchi said: 'We were honored to welcome FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem on this significant visit. As proud members of the FIA, we are part of a truly global community united by a shared commitment to advancing mobility and motorsport. 'Our collaboration is essential to driving innovation, safety and sustainability in these fields. I am confident that our partnership will continue to grow stronger and deliver lasting impact worldwide.' Ben Sulayem also highlighted the significance of having Akio Toyoda, the chairman of Toyota, as an active member of the FIA Senate, symbolizing the close relationship between Japan's automotive leaders and the FIA's global mission. The visit comes at a time of growth and renewed momentum for Japan's motorsport and mobility sectors. JAF now reports over 200,000 licensed racing drivers — a 20 percent increase over the past five years — while the 2025 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix in April recorded its highest attendance since 2006. Ben Sulayem is now in Macau for the 2025 FIA Extraordinary General Assembly and Annual Conference. The event starts on Tuesday and will welcome more than 500 senior FIA mobility and motorsport delegates from 149 countries.


Saudi Gazette
02-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Alesayi Motors inaugurates new Mitsubishi showroom in Dammam as part of expansion strategy
As part of its strategic expansion plans and in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, Alesayi Motors, the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors and FUSO in Saudi Arabia, has inaugurated its new state-of-the-art and fully integrated showroom in Dammam. This facility aims to deliver an exceptional customer experience, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the automotive industry. The opening aligns with Mitsubishi's global corporate identity, showcasing a sleek and interactive retail concept. The new showroom includes a dedicated space for Mitsubishi vehicles, designed to offer a comprehensive and immersive customer journey. Additionally, it features a standalone showroom for FUSO trucks, a key player in the Kingdom's commercial transport and retail logistics sectors. The FUSO space has been engineered to address local market demands through a wide range of smart, durable solutions tailored to the Saudi operating environment. The launch event was attended by senior executives, including the CEO and Managing Director of Alesayi Motors, who described the opening as 'a cornerstone of the company's long-term development and expansion roadmap.' He also highlighted the new facility's potential to redefine customer experience while embodying Mitsubishi's global vision of advanced, reliable mobility solutions tailored to local needs. The Dammam showroom is equipped with a cutting-edge maintenance center featuring the latest diagnostic and service technologies. It also includes a spacious spare parts warehouse, ensuring timely support and operational efficiency. In line with Alesayi's commitment to social responsibility, the new branch will also act as a community hub, hosting industry-related events, training programs, and workshops aimed at developing Saudi talent and supporting the national automotive ecosystem. This investment is a strong reaffirmation of Alesayi Motors' dedication to the goals of Vision 2030 and its role in boosting economic growth across the Eastern Province and the Kingdom at large.


Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi and Chinese officials discuss consumer complaints in auto sector
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Commerce held a joint meeting with representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia to discuss urgent consumer-related challenges in the Kingdom's fast-growing Chinese automotive sector. The session, which also included participation from the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), focused on identifying solutions to enhance consumer protection and improve after-sales services provided by Chinese car dealers and manufacturers operating in the Saudi market. Officials reviewed the current and projected growth of Chinese vehicle sales in the Kingdom, along with persistent consumer complaints related to after-sales performance and service quality. The goal, according to the Ministry, is to elevate customer experience and ensure Chinese automotive brands meet local standards as demand continues to rise. The meeting also explored avenues for cooperation between Saudi and Chinese entities to streamline regulatory processes and ensure a robust consumer rights framework in light of the increasing footprint of Chinese vehicles in Saudi Arabia.