Style, quality and innovation are the top three considerations for discerning car buyers today, according to an industry expert.

"Serious motoring enthusiasts in the UAE, who are also coincidently big spenders, opt for the newest, latest and most clever models, always competing to be the first with the latest 'car of the moment' even if that means paying a premium. For high-end performance and luxury car buyers, the Gulf is one of the world’s most exciting and fast-paced markets," said CAR ME editor Shahzad Sheikh.

To help these and other potential car buyers select the highest performance and most luxurious models currently available, the region’s premier motoring magazine, CAR Middle East, has announced the launch of its first Car of the Year awards to coincide with the 9th Middle East International Motor Show, the magazine said in a statement.

The awards will be presented to senior executives from the automotive industry at a gala event at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club on November 14, with Emirates Automobile and Touring Club president Mohammed bin Sulayem as the official awards patron.

For more than a year, the judges have driven more than 350 cars, over a combined distance of 250,000 km. After much deliberation, the short listed cars from five separate categories have been announced. The award categories include performance cars, luxury cars, passenger cars, SUVs and industry awards that will include Manufacturer of the Year and Automotive and Motor Sport Industry Person of the Year, according to the statement.

"In total, 20 winners will be announced along with a prestigious overall Car of the Year accolade. When making our decision, criteria such as desirability, image, driver involvement, market positioning, and relevance to the Middle East market all had a role to play. Further, with such an extensive range of cars to choose from, our decision was also based on what we would aspire to own personally and happily recommend to family and friends," said Sheikh.

The aim of the awards is to celebrate key products, innovations, services and persons in the context of the Middle East’s automotive market over the last year. The awards are being judged by a panel of unbiased experts, with more than 50 years combined experience in the automotive market, led by the magazine’s editorial board and joined by CAR UK International Editor John Sootheran. - TradeArabia News Service

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