Business Worth US$ 27 Million Concluded At Dubai Motor Show

The 8th Middle East International Motor show, the region’s premier event for the automobile industry, witnessed brisk business deals which peaked over the weekend as the show came to a successful close with a record turnout of visitors crossing the 81,272 mark up 8% from the last show.

“The mood was one of elation among the exhibitors as they reflected over the volume of business transacted during the five-day event that lived up to its reputation as the region’s most important automotive show,” said DWTC Director General, Helal Saeed Al Marri.

He noted that many exhibitors who were offering the vehicles on their stands for sale have completely sold out and accepted bookings on stand.

The cumulative value of business conducted during the show crossed the AED 100 million (US$27 million). This number will continue to rise as many more transactions are expected to be confirmed in showrooms across the region as a direct result of interest generated at the show.

As many as six of the powerful 1,001 hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4 that has a top speed of 407km/h have now found new national owners. At an individual cost of AED 4.33 million (Euros1 million), the choice of colour is important: one red, one blue, one two-tone silver/black and one two-tone ice-blue/white. The total value of these deals is pegged at AED 26 million.

At Lamborghini C. K. Ashok, Sales Manager, who has over two decades of experience in Lamborghini sales is delighted to narrate his magnificent sales record, one Murcielago Roadster with a price tag of AED 1.1million on the very first day of the show and another the following day, both to UAE nationals, together with a Gallardo Spyder. They have also sold a Gallardo Coupé at a cool AED 745,000, the latter two will be gracing the garages of expatriate UAE residents.

A BMW spokesperson confirmed that all of the cars on the BMW and Mini Cooper stands had been sold in addition to four orders for Minis; an approximate total value of AED3 million for the BMWs and AED 855,000 for the Minis. While officials at the Rolls Royce/Bentley stand confirmed four orders at AED 1.6 million each.

Nidal Zeytouni, sales executive, Prestige Cars, provided details of the business conducted at the stands over the past few days. Cars sold included the Silver Porsche Chopster for AED 2 million, the blue Bentley GT for AED 1 million, the Black Range Rover Arden for AED 600,000 and many more orders in the pipeline. Added Zeytouni, “We are happy with our participation at the Motor Show. In fact the company unveiled the Ferrari Enzo FXX over the weekend which was one of the busiest times at the show,” he added.

Mahmoud Abu Minshar, Sales Manager, Future Motors LLC, revealed the sale of the White Pagani Zonda on Day One at the show. The car carries a price tag of Euro 478,000. The other cars sold at the stand during the show included Porsche 996 for AED1.1 million, Tarouek for AED 350,000 and Bentley for over AED 600,000.

FAB Design President R. Rysanek said the Swiss-based company does car interiors and wheels. They have had an excellent response at the show with most models going within the first two days. Cars sold included the Mercedes S Class for AED 545,000 the ML 500 for AED 385,000 the CLS 55 coupe for AED 624,000 and more. The company was satisfied with its participation at the Dubai Motor Show.

Over at the Porsche stand the mood is similarly upbeat with a total sales of four vehicles, two of which are off-roaders selling for a mere AED 900,000 between them and two more Carrera models going for AED 222,000 and AED 197,000 respectively with blue and black being the favourite colours for the larger models and grey and yellow (those available on the stand) for the Carreras.

Ssangyong reported eight bookings, having sold all the cars on their stand, totalling around AED 1 million. Coach West, the company marketing limousines and armoured vehicles have registered a great deal of interest and made excellent contacts, through which they are in negotiations for the sale of 50 of their armoured cars priced at AED 500,00 each. Al Capri a car customising company have sold all their show vehicles at a total estimated cost of AED 1.2 million.

Chrysler/Dodge also reported filling their books with orders for around 20 cars, the Dodge Charger being by far the most popular model at an approximate total value of AED1 million, while Peugeot admitted that two big deals of an approximate total value of AED3.5 million are under negotiation.

Some of the companies present at the show came to do direct sales or business while others were there to raise product awareness. For instance, GM were at the show to make their presence felt. Says Brand Director for General Motors Gerry Groeneweger, “This show gives us a unique opportunity to bring en masse the wide array of GM cars with us. It gave us a chance to tell our customers what GM is all about. We have six brands – Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Hummer, Saab and Opel - all here.” The GM stand was the biggest, with 32 different models on display including three new concept cars and nine new releases at the show. He adds, “The show has been extremely good for us in getting feedback from our customers.” For them the show continues and the actual business of selling started rolling from the showroom after the event.

From the Range Rover stable, it's the Range Rover Sports 2006 model at AED 335,000 and the Vogue model at AED 355,000 that have been the crowd pullers. Bookings have been pouring in on the stand, as there is a six-month delivery on all vehicles.

Michael from Rijck Armouring was very happy with their first time participation at the show. The Swiss company has appointed Prestige Cars as their dealers in Dubai and sold two cars during the show. The armoured Mercedes S 500 has been sold for 2.42 million (Euro 550,000) and the armoured Maybach 62 for AED 6.61 million (Euro 1.5 million).

A cross section of visitors to the show who were asked for their opinion of this year's event gave the following comments: Adnan Al Jassemy from Ajman who was specifically looking for a Chevrolet Tahoe said: “The show this year is very good. I am interested in a 4-wheel drive and am in talks with the people at the stand.”

Khalid Radwan, General Manager, Lotus One Group for Trading, Saudi Arabia, said, “Our company deals mainly in body and paint. The Motor Show is good for cars, but there is much more scope in ancillary products. While I was able to get new business leads, more companies similar to those one finds at the auto show in Germany would be relevant to Dubai and this region.”

Mr. Gary Hill, a British expat who visited the show along with his wife was not looking to make a purchase. “Actually it's the first time I've been to the show, it was very good. I've been to the Birmingham Motor Show and I would say it's definitely on par with that.”

Mr. Ahmed Al Suweidi, a UAE national came to buy a car and bought one. He was extremely satisfied with his purchase and the show in general. “It was brilliant, very good.” He purchased a Bugatti and was thrilled with it.

Mukhtar Karimbux a spare parts trader from Mauritius, living in Sharjah was in to check out the spare parts and was suitably impressed with the variety on display.

Ms Jacqueline Samia and Joanne De La Cruz, two young Filipina ladies living in the UAE had fun at the show taking pictures of themselves in a variety of cars. “We just took pictures, the colourful and expensive cars were amazing.”

Mr. Ashley Diamond and Mr. Stephen Alsop two young gentlemen from South Africa and the UK, both resident in Dubai enjoyed their visit to the show. “We just came to see what was on the market. We were actually looking at the motorbikes. The cars were great to and it was a good day out.”

Easily the most telling comment about the show came from a visiting international journalist, Jean-Claude Hunin, Managing Editor of French publication Challenge: “I have spent 15 years covering the automotive industry and regularly visit motor shows in Detroit, Las Vegas, Frankfurt. The Dubai Motor Show is an excellent one and easily one of the best for luxury cars and what is really impressive is the fact that this event draws a lot of people who are genuinely interested in making a purchase rather than just getting themselves photographed with a car.”

-End-

For more information, please contact:

BIZ COM - ‘For PRoactive Communications’
P.O. Box 48889, Dubai – UAE
Tel: +971 4 332-0888
Fax: +971 4 332-0999
Email: info@bizcom.ae