The rise of luxury car sales is driving the success of the region’s top aftermarket dealers and tuning companies that have converged in Sharjah for an industry event today (March 13).

 

The fifth Middle East Motor Tuning Show will run till March 15 at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

 

The event has brought together the region’s finest tuning and customisation firms and petroheads.

 

Led by Maserati, with a sales surge of 44 per cent, top luxury brands in the Middle East such as Porsche (26 per cent), Rolls-Royce (17 per cent), Mercedes (16.7 per cent), Audi (16.3 per cent) and BMW (15 per cent) reported impressive growth in their sales for 2013, which are forecast to grow by another 18 to 25 per cent this year.

 

It was attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah; and other SCCI & Expo Centre representatives and industry executives.

 

Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The UAE is the biggest market for most premium brands of vehicles.... and owners of these vehicles are the ones who would like to customise their vehicles the most. And thanks to their patronage, the Middle East Motor Tuning Show is on its way to achieving a cult status among well-heeled tuning enthusiasts,” said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

 

About 380,000 vehicles are expected to have hit the roads in UAE alone last year.

 

Car dealers pointed out that while the total market in Saudi Arabia is the largest in the GCC -- at about twice the size of the UAE, the UAE is close to twice the size of Saudi Arabia when it comes to the luxury car market.

 

Aiming to cash in on the craze for customisation, a Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) pavilion representing several US automobile aftermarket and tuning industry giants and a European Products Pavilion will have an impressive presence at this year’s MEMTS.

 

“Recognising this potential, leading global industry associations and firms are homing in on the country and the region. The presence of the SEMA Pavilion for the second consecutive year and the debut of European Products Pavilion this year stand testimony to this fact,” he added.

 

The international participation is augmented by several trade delegations, which are visiting the show to check out latest products, innovations, and prospects of collaborations & dealerships, said Midfa.

 

Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said: “The show assumes significance since authorities have intensified their crackdown on unauthorised modifications on vehicles. In association with industry bodies, we are preparing the groundwork, and will look at assisting authorities in drawing up a list of guidelines that will help tuning enthusiasts hit the streets with their modified vehicles.”

 

“We have an exciting new addition in the Biker Build Off this year, an auction where visitors can bid for helmets painted by three best airbrush painters from Europe will add a charity angle as well,” he said.

 

Other activities at MEMTS include drifting arena (saloon cars, 4x4s, bike stunt shows), tuned cars parade, tuned motor bikes parade, motor bike driving skills competition, cars and motorbikes dyno test, custom motors competition (cars, motorbikes and trucks), live airbrush competition, EMMA Arabia Car Audio Competition and photography competition. - TradeArabia News Service