A mechanic sprays a repaired alloy rim at Monza car detailing workshop. Antonie Robertson / The National
A mechanic sprays a repaired alloy rim at Monza car detailing workshop. Antonie Robertson / The National

Luxury attention for Emirates' posh rides



Gleaming luxury cars are a common sight on the roads of the Emirates. But behind the shine, there are people such as Mohamed Al Shaiba, whose company services super brands - Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin. Mr Al Shaiba, 27, the founder and president of Monza Ultimate Detailing and Protection, talks about his passion for cars and his job.

Why start a car-servicing company in Dubai?

It's a great base to start such a business. We love cars in this country. I do not own a luxury car, but I have a passion for them. I had a small toy Mercedes as a child. I went to Italy for … training on car [servicing] in July 2010 and then to the auto show in Frankfurt in September to see the products in the market, what others are doing, and what are the best solutions. Back in Dubai, I rented a place, bought the stuff, and people started loving it.

What kind of services does your workshop provide and how much does that cost?

Every car has wear and tear after, say, 10,000 kilometres. We [service] the car and come back with it exactly as it was before. We service the panels, doors, engine - everything. It's a spa for the cars. The costs start at Dh1,500 [US$408] for a hologram-free polishing, and a car wash starts at Dh150. For full detailing it can cost around Dh7,000. For that you get leather repair and interior and exterior work. We service only luxury cars such as Mercedes, Lamborghini or Ferrari, and prestigious cars such as Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin.

How has your company grown during the past two years?

I started small, by servicing cars of parents and relatives. Now I have around 60 clients and handle most of the luxury car showrooms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, such as Centurion Cars and Exotic Cars in Dubai. We now employ 12 people, up from six people we employed in 2010.

How much have you invested in the workshop?

I am still investing every day and it has exceeded Dh1.5 million and counting.

How do you plan to expand your business?

There is a demand in Abu Dhabi, and maybe we will have a workshop there next year. Right now we are looking at expansion in the Gulf region, Jordan and Iran. We are looking for [franchisees].

You are located in a back alley in Al Quoz. How do you spread the word about your workshop?

These type of clients do not have one car. They come back with their other models and other owners. Once we do the work, it speaks for itself. It is all word of mouth. We have new clients daily, almost two to three clients a day. There is a lot of demand in the sector.

* Sananda Sahoo

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now

Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.

  • It’s So Easy
  • Mr Brownstone
  • Chinese Democracy
  • Welcome to the Jungle
  • Double Talkin’ Jive
  • Better
  • Estranged
  • Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
  • Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
  • Rocket Queen
  • You Could Be Mine
  • Shadow of Your Love
  • Attitude (Misfits cover)
  • Civil War
  • Coma
  • Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine
  • Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
  • Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
  • November Rain
  • Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
  • Nightrain

Encore:

  • Patience
  • Don’t Cry
  • The Seeker (The Who cover)
  • Paradise City
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months