7th Middle East International Motorshow set to dazzle with breathtaking display of over 500 automobiles

'We are geared up for what is easily the most exhaustive display of cars under one roof ever put together in the region and are confident that this show will facilitate the show visitor to study, compare and select the latest in design and technology that the industry has to offer and will help in influencing automobile buying decisions,' said DWTC Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad.

'This biennial show has grown phenomenally since the last edition and we have registered a growth of 45% in the net space sold between 2001 and 2003 reaching a figure of 24,000 square metres this year,' Mr. bin Fahad remarked.

He noted that the Motorshow caters to an audience comprising of trade visitors as well as consumers from the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian sub-continent among others and has an established track record of pulling in a high profile of visitors, many of whom include members of the royal families, international celebrities and host of affluent car enthusiasts from the Arab regions.

This year's Motor Show features a host of manufacturers such as 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 a few showcasing automobiles as well as displaying global motoring trends to this part of the world. Renowned automobile manufacturers at the show will also unveil futuristic concept cars and prototype vehicles.

The show also features the Motor Parts, Accessories & MotorPlus 2003 as a dedicated section for the automotive aftermarket sector.

This year's edition of the Motorshow also marks the Middle East debut of the 4x4 off-road-circuit that will provide a one of its kind demonstration circuit covering an area of up to 4,000 sq.m. The circuit will be an interactive feature that will provide exhibitors with an attractive and effective prospect to introduce their cars to the end user for test drives and thereby help boost sales.

In a region where passion for cars runs high, the 4x4 circuit will give an additional boost to automobile sales with manufacturers providing their latest models for a region-wide audience to test drive during the five-day show.

Double European Supertruck Racing champions Buggyra will also be exhibiting their supercharged streamlined monster machines at the show and represent part of the DWTC's ongoing effort to bring a brand new and more rewarding experience to those attending the event. The trucks add a new facet to the show that is reinforcing its position as the most definitive event of its kind in the region.

Super truck racing brings all the thrills and spills associated with the more well known Formula One and NASCAR circuits and adds to it the awe-inspiring sight of huge supercharged trucks careening and manoeuvering around the circuit at mind-boggling speeds.

Automobiles, automotive parts, accessories and components are a multi million-dollar trade in the Middle East, which has among the highest cars-per-household ratio in the world. The continuously increasing number of vehicles on the road has created a substantial demand for garage and forecourt equipment for the service industry.

The Middle East, in general, and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), in particular, is a fast-growing market for the automobile industry. Kuwait is a prime example of a low-volume, high-value market where luxury cars at the top-end category are in heavy demand. Countries such as the UAE, where more than 50 per cent of the national population is still under the driving age, and high-consumption markets, such as Saudi Arabia, where the total number of automobile units sold per year exceeds 100,000 units, present enormous and untapped opportunities for automobile manufacturers

The automobile industry in some countries in the Middle East such as the UAE is vibrant and a large number of new and pre-used cars are sold every year. Every year new models of passenger cars are introduced and customers in the region keep pace with the latest versions of automobile technology as well as design launched globally. Middle East International Motor Show allows car manufacturers and the aftermarket to display their latest products and also get a feel of the emerging trend in the regional automobile industry

Apart from its premier position in the automotive market, Dubai is also the region's leading hub for the auto parts trade and re-export, having access to over 1.5 billion consumers across three continents. The tremendous growth in the number of vehicles on road has resulted in a sustained demand for garage and forecourt equipment for the service industry, a significant segment of the automotive trade.