The commercial vehicles market in the Middle East is bouncing back from the effects of the global downturn, with major manufacturer Nissan forecasting 5-10 per cent growth for the industry in the GCC this year.
While the commercial vehicles industry experienced a decline of 15-20 per cent across the GCC due to the global downturn, Nissan is optimistic that the market will experience growth in 2010.
Michel Ayat, CEO of Arabian Automobiles Company said: “For the period of April 2009 to January 2010, sales in the GCC commercial vehicles market were just over 195,000 units, and Nissan sold approximately 30,000 units out of this figure.
“It is relatively early to make predictions for 2011, but we are looking forward to an improvement in the market and government initiatives which will help enhance the commercial vehicles industry.”
Arabian Automobiles, the exclusive dealer of Nissan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, is participating in Commercial Vehicles Middle East, which opens on Tuesday in Dubai, to showcase Nissan’s commercial vehicles range and to reinforce Nissan as a key player in this segment.
The entire Nissan commercial vehicle range will be on display at the three-day event, which includes the Nissan Pick-Up, Urvan Microbus, Urvan Panel Van, Civilian Bus and the Navara Pick-Up.
“The Nissan brand has over the years developed an impressive line-up of commercial vehicles which are popular in the commercial vehicles industry and well-appreciated among users,” said Ayat. “For the first time, via Commercial Vehicles Middle East, Arabian Automobiles has the required platform to showcase this line-up to the UAE market.
“Nissan will target professional decision makers who deal with commercial vehicle fleet procurement and government departments at the exhibition,” he added.
The event organisers Streamline Marketing Group have attracted the support of leading government departments and transport agencies including the RTA, Dubai Municipality and Emirates Transport, who are attending the show to source vehicles and promote various transport initiatives.
Nick Webb, Director of Streamline Marketing Group said: “Approximately 60 exhibitors have confirmed for the launch event including Renault, Al Futtaim – Hino, Western Auto (Foton) and Arabian Automobiles (Nissan), some of the most well-known brands in the global commercial vehicles industry.”
Commercial Vehicles Middle East will have a strong international presence, with exhibitors from the US, Russia, Germany, Iran, Portugal, Turkey, Italy and the Netherlands. The UK, China and Taiwan will have national pavilions at the show, highlighting their keen interest in the region’s commercial vehicles industry.
The Commercial Vehicles Conference will run alongside the exhibition from 9-10 March.
Over 25 transport and fleet experts will highlight ways for commercial vehicles operators to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Key themes to be covered include managing the safety and environmental impact of fleets, fuel management, ownership and financial best practice and technological advances.
The opening session of the conference will include a presentation by Tom Nauwelaerts, Head of Logistics, Al Futtaim Logistics on the ‘In-house transportation function and its impact on your business’.
The session will also include a panel discussion on the ‘Economic slowdown and the transport industry’, with input from Yousif Al Ali, Director of Fleet Operations, Dubai Taxi Company – RTA; Jason Farhat, General Manager, Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority; Fabio Castello, General Manager, Scania Middle East and Abdul Salam Al Hammadi, Head of Vehicle, Equipment and Maintenance, Dubai Municipality Transportation Department.
Yousif Al Ali will also provide advice on ‘Reducing fuel emissions’ during a later session on ‘Managing the environmental impact of fleets’.
On the second day, Marc Legeay, Marketing Director, Renault Trucks will provide an analysis on ‘The lifetime cost’ of a vehicle during the session on efficiency and effectiveness and Fabio Castello, General Manager, Scania Middle East will offer ‘Practical strategies to ensure high fuel efficiency’.
