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American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:28 am
by djemini
What's are the differences between the two?

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:53 am
by T.N.T
Not much I guess. Speedo?

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:45 pm
by root
Well, apart from the speedometer in miles, traditionally it was the radiator was not tuned for such hot temperatures here. Also the Air conditioning might not be as heavy duty as you require over here.

However, southern US is pretty much the same weather as here like in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, so any car that works there oughta work here.

Another thing to remember is some of the new features like GPS navigation maps, remote assistance, etc. These do not work over here without modifications and sometimes not that easy to load a new map. Varies per car.

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:50 pm
by MJB
I realize this thread hasn't been active in a while, but I just wanted to offer my two cents. I recently looked into exporting a Gulf Specs car (2006 Volvo) to the US and was told I would have to shell out about $3k US (approx 11K AED) for the conversion. Besides the usual modifications like the governor and cluster (odometer/speedometer/etc), I would have to get a catalytic converter and a CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) sensor installed. My husband and I decided it was more trouble than it was worth, and sold the car instead. -MJB

p.s. I miss my Volvo :-(

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:17 pm
by root
Yeah, exporting cars from here to US and EU (with the new Green rules) is a lot more difficult than the other way around.

There was a Romanian guy on this forum a while ago who had a similar story with a Made in Germany Audi Q7 which would need work of several thousand Euros to import back into EU as the models here did not fulfill all the emission requirements.

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:10 pm
by ballplayer22
MJB, looking at the testing requirements document I received from the Abu Dhabi Traffic Department, November 2008, there are thresholds for Hydrocarbons and CO levels. I'm wondering how these levels can be achieved without a Catalytic Converter or Oxygen Sensor installed in the GCC cars? Maybe the new cars are coming equipped with such? I am also looking for that "golden" factual technical answer to what the differences are... maybe it varies by vehicle? Any takers???

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:59 pm
by Umer
I am using american Spec. Toyota Land Crusier and found no trouble in aircondition or radaiator. The speedo metere have both miles and KM.

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:21 am
by root
ballplayer22 wrote:I am also looking for that "golden" factual technical answer to what the differences are... maybe it varies by vehicle? Any takers???


No takers ;)
I have not heard of any recent 5-10 year old vehicle from US not allowed due to different exhaust or environmental regulations.

The only real addition I've found in Gulf specs is the annoying warning beeper at 120 km/h ;)

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Sun May 03, 2009 6:25 am
by 890
Hi there! My name is Steve. I am a licensed independent car dealer on the East coast of the United States. If there is a particular American specs automobile you are interested in, with my contacts I can source for you just about anything you can dream of. Also because of my contacts I can get them for the best prices and I can arrange for shipping by ocean freight directly to you. If there is anything I might be able to do for you please give us a try!

Steve Martin
SUN CONSULTING LLC
steve@smoothsayer.com
1.804.216.3414

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 10:04 am
by jontyrhodes
There are if any, very few cars that come sold as "GCC spec." There are no mainstream cars that come made specifically for the GCC other than minor modifications. American cars that are made in europe, come to us as EDM, the Japanese cars come to us as JDM models. Very few if any have GCC specific models. This is wyh even though we say they are made for the GCC have better AC's etc, it is not necessarily the case. Some cars esp. American ones do find it hard to cool at all in Oman's weather.

The main differences in models by far is engine capacity and tuning. In the GCC, there are no mainstream market cars that come with high engine capacities and either turbo or super-charged. There are a few exceptions though like the HEMI. The price difference is because of the agencies here in Oman, they charge a huge profit margin, as there is only one Toyota dealer in the whole country for example, while there are thousands in the US, thats why you find improted pre-sued car cheaper. There is a difference between US & GCC "specs", US specs are better in all aspects except sizes of radiators and AC condensors, but you can change these two items in the US before shipping.

Re: American Specs vs. Gulf specs

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:29 pm
by uarsales
Hello my name is Alex,
i have been exporting cars and motorcycles for now over 20years . Once a new shipping location is determined , it is also important to check the viscosity of oil for Engine transmission etc. Very important specially on exotic cars Italian etc. Also important AC update , Oil cooler if not standard for towing /pick up trucks etc .
If anyone needs any help let me know ursales@gmail.com

Repairing car with USA specification Dubai-who is able to wo

PostPosted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:08 pm
by presbylux
Hi everyone,

I have a Hyundai Santa Fe imported from Alabama with US specification.

I am in a trouble here in Dubai, I didn't find anyone able to work on US specification.

Some technicians in different garages told me that they don't have the software for US specification.

I tried 4 different garages the last on, has worked on.
But It's worse than before currently my car doesn't have powerful. ( Its a V6 but if Push the gaze the reaction is not like a V6 it's like a small car)


I need to find a good garage able to work on a car with US specification.

Could you help me?


Sabine