Dubai Motorshow a launchpad for the ME market, says Bin Fahad

Speaking to senior officials from Al Nabooda Automobiles who had called upon the DWTC Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad on the eve of the show, he said, "we are gearing up to receive a mature audience of show visitors following a consistent region-wide media campaign and the increasing use of the event as a platform for a series of launches and introductions."

"The succession of launches and previews lined up confirm Motorshow's emerging position as the best automotive event in the region with more and more manufacturers using it as the ideal stage for introducing new models confirming their confidence in the show's growing prominence," Mr. bin Fahad stressed.

"This is easily the most exceptional opportunity for automobile companies to show off upcoming and current products, as well as any new safety features, hi-tech developments and environmentally friendly initiatives they undertake in this sector," remarked Mr. bin Fahad.

The show will feature an extraordinary collection of avant-garde design and noteworthy novelty with more than 550 vehicles lined up for display from the world's leading automakers including latest models and advanced concept cars.

Speaking on behalf of Al Nabooda Automobiles, the authorised dealer for Volkswagen in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Chief Executive Officer, K. Rajaram said: "The new directions of growth and expansion at Volkswagen and Al Nabooda will be prominently on display at this year's Dubai Motorshow."

He noted that in the year 2002, Volkswagen entered new segments with the Phaeton and the Touareg, and has continued to pursue its strategy of broader market coverage. In the luxury Sports Utility Vehicle class Volkswagen's new Touareg is setting new standards combining the features of a high-quality off-road vehicle with the comfort of a luxury sedan and the dynamic attributes of a sports car.

At the other end is the luxury-class Phaeton. Also on display will be the fifth generation Golf, the Golf V. Introduced in 1974, the Golf, over a period of four generations and more than 22 million in sales, has not only become a synonym for the Volkswagen brand, but also for quality, sustainable practicality, safety, economy, innovation and solidity.

The other highlight of the stand will be the New Beetle Cabriolet - an ultra-modern interpretation of a classless lifestyle automobile, the Beetle. And for the people with active lifestyles, VW has two MPV's on offer, the new Touran MPV and the Sharan. And certainly, there will be the highly successful and liked Polo, Bora and Passat.

Also being showcased at the Al Nabooda Audi stand will be the Audi Pikes Peak, Audi's new sports concept car that will be seen for the first time ever in the Middle East.

The BMW Group, which owns the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands of premium cars, is presenting four new model debuts at the show.

New highlights from the Group's BMW brand will include two completely new model series: 6 Series, X3, and the revamped X5 Series.

True to its unique and fun personality, the MINI brand will stage a spirited show this year presenting its 'Fab Four' models of which the new 'MINI Cooper Club Sport' makes its debut in the region. New colour and features will be presented on the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S Works.

Nissan Motor Co Ltd. will also be using the event to introduce an array of breath-taking new models by giving previews of what the Japanese giant is planning for the Middle East markets.

The excitement at Nissan's stand starts with the 350Z but never ends there. The 350Z is designed to impress viewers at first sight with its newness as a sports car and to remain an object of unending adoration for ages to come. While inheriting the "Z-ness" passed on through successive generations, this 350Z embodies many new features for a sports car, all of which have been perfected to exceptionally high quality.

Nissan's 4X4 line up will also be on display with the 2004 model of X-Trail that underwent one of the most talked-about changes in the car giant's history. With its launch at the Dubai Motor Show, the X-Trail brings together years of research into perfecting features in tune with the adventurous nature of this popular sporty 4X4.

Nissan's participation at Dubai Motor Show this year is characterized by an addition of a new category, The Nissan Motor Sports division, through the display of the 2004 Pick Up that is planned to participate in the famous Rally Dakar early January of Next year. The display of the new sports Pick Up is a clear manifestation of Nissan's strong come back to the motoring sports arena.

Prominent among other top manufacturer's who will be using the event for launches in force include Daimler-Chrysler - three models SLR, AMG and Dodge Durango, Porsche - Carrera GT, Aston Martin - DB9, Ford - GT, F-150, Everest SUV, Ford Fiesta, Ford Forester and Lincoln Navigator SUV, Maserati - Preview of Quattroporte 2004 and Honda- launch of Jazz hatchback.

With over 550 vehicles on display and hundreds of automotive retail aftermarket products on offer, the Motorshow is a must-see event for car aficionados, admirers and enthusiasts who get un unrivalled opportunity to view the newest models and most diverse range lined up by manufacturers before anyone else in the region gets to see them.