Driving Arabia
Background on Driving Arabia
"Driving Arabia – The History of the Automobile in the Middle East" is the result of a year’s long collaboration between General Motors Middle East and Eyad Abushakra, the Managing Editor of Alsharq Al-Awsat.
Written by Eyad Abushakra, "Driving Arabia" tells the enthralling story of the motor car in the Arab world and the cultural, social and economic impact it has made in the region.
The book tells fascinating tales from the early days of the automobile, from the pioneers of the industry internationally to the adventures of the first desert crossings, through to the modern era and how the growth in automobile numbers and road developments changed the Middle East landscape forever.
It also focuses on the unique history of General Motors in the Middle East from the beginning of the 20th century through 1926 when the first the company opened its first regional office to today’s growth and excitement.
Until now, no one had ever told the whole story of just how influential the automobile has been in the Middle East. "Driving Arabia" fills that gap.
Recollections from a Special Experience with GM
How "Driving Arabia" was conceived
by Eyad Abushakra
The night of January 15th 1998 was a very special night for me.
I was with my friends and colleagues Mr Nadim Nahhas and Adel Murad, along with other Europe-based Arab journalists, were guests at a GM dinner at The Sheraton Part Tower Hotel in London. Our hosts as I remember were Mr Alan Batey, then GM’s Regional Manager, and Mr Ian Bain of Bain Communications, then GM-Middle East’ PR agent.
It was a lovely dinner, during which we were informed of the latest GM-Middle East news and figures. We stayed until around 11:00 pm before we decided to head home.
The events of that night, with all its association, will surely live with me forever.
As for "Driving Arabia" itself, I have already mentioned in the book’s Preface & Acknowledgements how the idea reached fruition. What I have not touched on, however, is its "up and down" exciting journey.
Miss Farah Amhaz did a great job in Cairo where she sifted through archive material at Al-Ahram newspaper and Al-Musawwar magazine. As we went through her findings in Dubai we realized they provided a significant element of cross-reference which perfectly complemented my other sources.
In Lebanon, I was happy to find most of what I needed at The American University of Beirut Library and, in addition, to carry out some interviews. Actually, some of my most importent sources were introduced to me by friends acquaintances.
Both in Lebanon and elsewhere I had mixed fortune with the people I sought to interview. I had no problem with most GM dealers, thanks to the help of both Saada Hammad and Farah Amhaz. All of them provided me with interesting information, but four of these interviews really stand out.
Samir Homsi of IMPEX in Lebanon was not only helpful in providing me with a historical brief of his family’s long association with the automobile trade in the Middle East, but also put me in touch with Mr Roger Saad. Mr Saad, blessed with formidable knowledge and excellent memory, also hails from one of the Middle East’s leading motoring dynasties. His help in unravelling the scene in Syria & Lebanon was second to none.
The telephone conference-call I had from London with Mr Qutayba Alghanim (Alghanims of Kuwait) in New York and Mr Fuad Habibi in Los Angeles was also a landmark of my research into the automobile trade in Kuwait. Mr Habibi – or rather "Abu Tawfiq" – knew the motoring scene in Kuwait and the Gulf area for decades, and was a witness of GM's ascendency during the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
In Dubai, I had the pleasure of being a guest of Sheikh Khalid bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Qasimi (of Liberty Motors) at a dinner which was as rich in information as with delicious dishes. The story of the labyrinthine dealerships in the early days was most interesting.
Then there was my most enjoyable meeting in London with Sheikh Abdul-Majid Zahid, a "living history" and impressive gentleman.
Outside the GM family, my queries were met by three kinds of reactions:
First, was the well-informed from people closely-connected with the automobile society in the Middle East.
The third and last group included the potential sources who seemed, unfortunately, either uninterested or unaware of how seriously I was treating my research. I was deeply disappointed with many whom I had expected to hear from but did not, despite several attempts from my side.
To end on a happy note, I have to say I was satisfied with what I was able do - with GM's help - and was glad that the book was well received by car lovers, as well as many who felt that it added something special to the better understanding of our region's social history.
Note: Copies are available in English & Arabic by contacting: rania.alshurafa@GM.com.
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