Motor Show to open doors today

Organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) confirmed that this year's event would reaffirm the pole position of the Motor Show, as the region's largest and most important automotive event with a truly international status.

DWTC Director General, Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri said: "Automobiles, automotive parts, accessories and components are a multi million-dollar business in the Middle East. Our region has among the highest cars-per-household ratios in the world and the biennial Motor Show provides a fantastic impetus to sales."

He added that the Motor Show underlines the reasons why more global corporations, including automobile giants find Dubai and the region so conducive to their business growth. "Dubai is at the forefront of spearheading economic growth in the region, and the automobile sector can only benefit from this," Mr. Al Marri observed.

According to industry estimates, the automobile sector is growing at an impressive 10% annually in the GCC region and the Motor Show provides the perfect platform for the industries global players to meet and do business in this buoyant market.

Like the market it serves, the Motor Show has seen exceptional growth over the past couple of years. The 7th edition of the show held in December 2003 saw as many as 75,167 visitors checking out the vehicles on display during the five-day event.

"This is the largest show yet spreading over 48,000 M2 and will utilise 11 exhibition halls, the concourse and outdoor space at the DICEC," remarked Mr. Al Marri. "With approximately 500 cars being lined up for display, the Dubai Motor Show underlines the region's thriving automobile sector and its stature as the Middle East's most influential and sought after automotive event," he stated.

The exhibition will showcase over 30 launches and introduce new names and brands never seen before in the Middle East including Bufori, Pagani-Zonda, Funke & Will and Mansory to name but a few. Also on display will be an array of concept vehicles, prototypes, custom-built vehicles, racing cars, luxury limousines, tuners, modifiers, designers, high-performance vehicles, 4-wheel drives, all-terrain vehicles, family saloons, hatchbacks, bikes, trikes, quads, carts, buggies and commercial vehicles.

Leading global manufacturers will present spectacular stand displays and themed performances, which will attract an estimated 85,000 visitors from the GCC and the neighbouring regions.

Among the key factors influencing the momentum of the automotive trade this year could well be the region's windfall revenues following record oil prices, the booming economies and rising standard of living.

The GCC countries are expected to reap oil revenues of more than US$265 billion this year. With exciting growth opportunities ahead, it is no wonder that major manufacturers are vying with each other to increase their market share in the region

Major players on show at the Motor Show this will year include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Maserati, Porsche, Pagani, Land Rover, Toyota, Volvo, Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Peugeot to name but a few.

The Middle East International Motor Show 2005 promises to be an absolute delight for car enthusiasts with exciting promotions giving away cars and other exhibits including interactive games, hobbies, racing gear, memorabilia, car graphics and finished products.

For visitors interested in doing more than just looking, there is the fantastic opportunity to arrange a test-drive around the circuit at Dubai Autodrome. Participating exhibitors will be taking bookings on-site.

With entertainment now forming an integral part of vehicle design, the organisers have planned a dedicated section for car entertainment products. Consumers will have an opportunity to check out the latest car audio/video and other motoring enhancements currently on the market.

Pankaj Nadkarni, DWTC International Project Manager said "Visitors can also get a blast of Sound Technology in the exciting "Monster Car Audio Challenge-2" with contestants from all around the GCC showing off their best and latest car audio equipment which sometimes costs more than the vehicle itself."

Recent studies have revealed that there are around 300 factories for assembling cars and other auto-related industries in the GCC region with investments worth AED4.039 (US$1.1 billion) that offer employment to nearly 26,000 people. The GCC region imports cars worth nearly AED8 billion annually in addition to billions of dollars worth of spare parts.

The auto parts and components sector has therefore been growing rapidly too and acts as an auxiliary sector to the automobile trade. Statistics indicate that out of the total auto parts and accessories imports, about 65% are re-exported, mainly to Middle East, Africa and East Europe. In fact, this sector is ranked among the top 10 re-export products of Dubai and has been growing by approximately 20% a year.

Motor Parts, Accessories and MotorPlus will have one dedicated hall at the Motor Show to serve this market where the latest aftermarket trends from all over the world will be displayed offering participating companies an opportunity to reach a quality audience of end users and traders in the GCC, Africa, South Asia and CIS regions.

It will feature automotive parts, accessories & components, car audio and video systems, automotive sports gear, batteries, tyres, wheels, cab styling, car care products, paints and coatings car interior and finish products, maintenance equipment, petroleum products & lubricants and a host of automotive related products and services.

The 8th Middle East International Motor Show 2005 truly offers something for everyone from fleet buyers, to individual purchasers, car enthusiasts to amateur admirers.

A visit to the show provides all with an opportunity to marvel at the single largest display of vehicles and motor parts and accessories in the Middle East.