Dubai, Dec. 11, 05 (WAM)--The 8th Middle East InternationalMotor Show 2005, the single largest event in the region for automobilesand ancillary sectors is all set to open doors to the publictoday with manufacturers from around the world launching theirlatest models between December 12 & 16, 2005 at the Dubai InternationalConvention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

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

DWTC Director General, Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri said: "Automobiles,automotive parts, accessories and components are a multi million-dollarbusiness in the Middle East. Our region has among the highestcars-per-household ratios in the world and the biennial MotorShow provides a fantastic impetus to sales."He added that the Motor Show underlines the reasons why moreglobal corporations, including automobile giants find Dubai andthe region so conducive to their business growth. "Dubai is atthe forefront of spearheading economic growth in the region,and the automobile sector can only benefit from this," Mr. AlMarri observed.

According to industry estimates, the automobile sector is growingat an impressive 10% annually in the GCC region and the MotorShow provides the perfect platform for the industries globalplayers to meet and do business in this buoyant market.

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

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

The exhibition will showcase over 30 launches and introduce newnames and brands never seen before in the Middle East includingBufori, Pagani-Zonda, Funke & Will and Mansory to name but afew. 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 displaysand themed performances, which will attract an estimated 85,000visitors from the GCC and the neighbouring regions.

Among the key factors influencing the momentum of the automotivetrade this year could well be the region's windfall revenuesfollowing record oil prices, the booming economies and risingstandard of living.

The GCC countries are expected to reap oil revenues of more thanUS$265 billion this year. With exciting growth opportunitiesahead, it is no wonder that major manufacturers are vying witheach other to increase their market share in the regionMajor players on show at the Motor Show this will year includeBMW, 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 namebut a few.

The Middle East International Motor Show 2005 promises to bean absolute delight for car enthusiasts with exciting promotionsgiving away cars and other exhibits including interactive games,hobbies, racing gear, memorabilia, car graphics and finishedproducts.

For visitors interested in doing more than just looking, thereis the fantastic opportunity to arrange a test-drive around thecircuit at Dubai Autodrome. Participating exhibitors will betaking bookings on-site.

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

Pankaj Nadkarni, DWTC International Project Manager said "Visitorscan also get a blast of Sound Technology in the exciting "MonsterCar Audio Challenge-2" with contestants from all around the GCCshowing off their best and latest car audio equipment which sometimescosts more than the vehicle itself!"Recent studies have revealed that there are around 300 factoriesfor assembling cars and other auto-related industries in theGCC region with investments worth AED4.039 (US$1.1 billion) thatoffer employment to nearly 26,000 people. The GCC region importscars worth nearly AED8 billion annually in addition to billionsof dollars worth of spare parts.

The auto parts and components sector has therefore been growingrapidly too and acts as an auxiliary sector to the automobiletrade. Statistics indicate that out of the total auto parts andaccessories imports, about 65% are re-exported, mainly to MiddleEast, Africa and East Europe. In fact, this sector is rankedamong the top 10 re-export products of Dubai and has been growingby approximately 20% a year.

Motor Parts, Accessories and MotorPlus will have one dedicatedhall at the Motor Show to serve this market where the latestaftermarket trends from all over the world will be displayedoffering participating companies an opportunity to reach a qualityaudience of end users and traders in the GCC, Africa, South Asiaand CIS regions.

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

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

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