The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’ market, including re-exports grew by five percent in the first 10 months of 2002. Excluding re-exports the market grew by three percent this year, noted a senior representative of Arabian Automotives.
"UAE is a lucrative market for the car industry and the coming International Automobile Show provides an excellent opportunity for car companies to successfully tap this potential,” said Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Al-Midfa, at a press conference at the new Expo Center Sharjah today. The press conference featured the senior executives of UAE’s leading car dealers, who will be participating at the show.
The 6th International Automobile Show opens October 23 at the new Expo Center Sharjah and has a run up to October 27. Present will be Arabian Automobiles with their 2003 Nissan model line up. It will consist of the Q45 and QX4 within the Infiniti brand.
As for the large SUV segment, AAC offers the 2003 Patrol which boast a 4800 TC, DOHC engine, generating 280 horsepower and the 2003 Pathfinder with its newly developed 3.5 DOHC V6 engine. A new addition since the previous Auto Show in Sharjah that has been doing well in the UAE market is the new SUV, X-Trail, launched earlier this year.
Well established in UAE, Skoda automobiles’ model line-up of the Fabia boasts Hatchback, Sedan and Station wagon models, while the Octavia is available as a Hatchback and Station wagon. At the show, Autostar Trading, dealers of Skoda will be launching Skoda's new luxury Skoda Superb, available in Classic, Comfort and Elegance trims with 2.8 litre V.6, 30 valve engines mated to five speed automatic gearboxes with tiptronic operation option.
Gargash Enterprises, dealers of Mercedes commented that the E-Class Fab Sign which they will be unveiling at the show. A senior representative from Al-Habtoor Motors said “We will be displaying the Mitsubishi Magna VR-X.” The interior of the Magna VR-X exudes a dynamic charm with a two-tone interior, and fabric seats with VR-X mark on it. The car has a sport type meter combination, a 4-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with silver trim and cruise control.
Al Tayer Motors plan to make a bridge in front of the center and place their cars on it. They will be displaying the new Land Rover, while in Ford, they will displaying seven models, including Ford Mondeo, Ford Explorer, Ford Focus, Mustang, Lincoln, Crown Victoria.
Besides these, KIA will be launching the new CARINZ and BMW will feature its latest range of seven series models. On the commercial vehicles side, the show will feature the latest launches in small, medium and large heavy commercial utility vehicles and buses.
The event is sponsored by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
