Abu Dhabi: Automakers from all over the globe showcased their latest products on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show.
Brands including Jaguar Land Rover, Hyundai and Kia Motors unveiled new designs at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) on Tuesday, as the auto industry continues its resurgence in the wake of the global economic crisis.
In pictures: Abu Dhabi Motor Show
Jaguar Land Rover unveiled its five-door version of the new Range Rover Evoque as well as the new Land Rover LR2, which features terrain response technology.
John Edwards, Global Brand Director of Land Rover UK, said: "The GCC is clearly a very important market for Range Rover, and Abu Dhabi in particular is a very wealthy market where business is booming. Therefore, we see it appropriate to unveil our new products here; Range Rover fits well in this market.
"The recession was tough for the whole industry and we were [affected] like everyone else. However, we have bounced back very well and we are ahead of our plans. We are up 30 per cent in Europe, 20 per cent in the United States, 10-15 per cent in the GCC and more than 150 per cent in China.
Pleased with situation
"The issue we have got at the moment is we can't manufacture fast enough to keep up with demand. In every market I go to, the dealers and importers are saying they want more products. We are very pleased with the situation at the moment."
Al Majid Motors Company, sole distributor of Kia Motors in the UAE, showcased its new Optima, Sportage, Cadenza and Sorento brands. Mohammad Khadar, General Manager at Al Majid Motors — Kia, said: "We always look forward to taking part in the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show and this year is no exception.
"We are excited to be showcasing some of Kia's more popular vehicle brands from our state-of-the art exhibition stand. We are confident that our cars and exhibition stand are going to be the show's star attractions and we cannot wait to see the visitor's reactions."
The Hyundai Accent 2012 was also showcased for the first time at Adnec yesterday. Esam Abu Nabah, President of Juma Al Majid Establishment, Hyundai UAE, said: "We are proud to showcase our Accent 2012 for the first time at the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show and we are sure that our customers will be ecstatic at the car's design and state-of-the-art technological features."
"The new Accent is built under the same design umbrella as the Hyundai's popular Sonata and boasts several amazing features."
