RAS AL KHAIMAH // A driver who lost control of his 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser after the cruise control became stuck at 120kph has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Economy.
"Today Al-Futtaim Motors and Toyota Corporation visited Abu Dhabi to check the car for a technical report," said Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, the consumer protection director at the ministry. "In two days the technical report will be with me."
Dr Al Nuaimi said the problem was probably specific to the one car.
"People should not be worried about using cruise control," he said. "In two days it will be clear from the Ministry of Economy what happened with this car specifically, and with the model."
It is the third such incident in the Arabian Gulf region this year.
In January, police in Saudi Arabia stopped a Land Cruiser with the cruise control stuck at 210kph, the Saudi newspaper Al Rayat reported.
And in February, a driver on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain motorway had his cruise control stuck on 160kph.
"Al-Futtaim Motors is offering full support to the respective authorities to determine the facts surrounding the Land Cruiser incident, which happened earlier this month," said Simon Frith, managing director of Al-Futtaim Motors.
"Until the vehicle has been fully inspected and tested we are unable to make any further comment."
The driver in the most recent case, Abdulla Al Mulla, said he would sell the car and vowed never to use cruise control again.
"I was just waiting to see what would happen. I was waiting for the end," Mr Al Mulla said.
The cruise control on his 4x4 became stuck on the E311 as he drove from Dubai to RAK on August 12.
"I went to stop at the petrol station and I saw that the car was not stopping," Mr Al Mulla said.
Police cars surrounded his vehicle then guided him to slowly apply the handbrake and drive on to a sand dune. The rescue was led by Capt Tariq Al Sharhan.
"I wasn't on duty but I was just sitting there with my friends, policemen," said Capt Al Sharhan. "I took my car and I drove out as fast as I could because there was no time."
He drove at more than 200kph to overtake the 4x4 and slow it down.
"He did his job and risked his life to help," said Mr Al Mulla, 25. "I feel bad about what happened to me, I thought I would die. My family are not happy."
He has not decided if he will take action against Toyota.
"We don't know," Mr Al Mulla said. "After the reports, after everything, we will see what happens."
azacharias@thenational.ae
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
