Dubai: Top leaders laid rubber during Thursday's grand opening of the 11th Dubai International Motor Show with the simple turn of an oversized car key.
When Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, inserted the ceremonial key into the slot, he was met with the four beeps of a race start countdown and the lights turned from red to green on a door framed with the black and white pattern of a checkered flag.
Amid the sounds of a roaring engine, screeching tyres and the appearance of a puff of smoke, the motor show was officially declared open at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The show runs through to Monday.
Shaikh Maktoum toured a bevy of car company floor displays, first among them, the Al Tayer Ford showroom, where he got an up close and personal look at two completely redesigned popular cars for the 2012 line-up; the Ford Focus and Ford Explorer.
Next pit stop after a quick lap around the show was a visit to the Skoda display where Shaikh Maktoum climbed behind the wheel of the new Superb 3.6 V6 sedan.
Shaikh Maktoum also visited the Renault display where he chatted with sales executives regarding the new Renault Fluence Z.E., an electric-powered sedan touted as an environmentally friendly family hauler.
Immense display
Immense interactive displays are the norm at this year's show which is preparing to welcome 100,000 visitors over four days, slightly more than the 96,000 visitors attending the event hosted by Dubai World Trade Centre last year.
Many of those visitors are likely to hail from the estimated 182,000 high-net-worth individuals living in Dubai, some of whom not only drive expensive upscale sports and luxury cars, but also have entire collections of highly sought-after vehicles.
Automotive industry executives told Gulf News that it appear that purse strings are loosening up for consumers who have otherwise been waiting out the economic crisis for times of increased consumer confidence.
More than 150 companies from 30 countries are exhibiting as many as 500 vehicles this year at displays sprawled across 60,000 square metres of floor space.
Helal Saeed Al Merri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said the high degree of interest shown by vendors and purchasers at the motor show is proof positive of Dubai's influential place in the world of motoring.
"We are honoured to have Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum [Deputy Ruler of Dubai] officially open the show today. The strength of this year's show is confirmation of the importance of this region to the automotive world, and we are delighted to have received such an excellent response from our exhibitors and partners, many of whom, have been part of the Dubai International Motor Show since its first edition," Al Merri said.
Red Bull-Renault Formula One driver Mark Webber turned heads when he visited the show's opening day and visited the Renault stand in the newly expanded Shaikh Saeed Hall.
Other displays caused a stir with the roll out of several new concept cars from from Audi, BMW, Chevrolet and GMC to Maserati, MINI and Toyota.
Bugatti Grand Veyron Sport, touted to be the fastest convertible in the world with a top speed of more than 400kmh was a big draw as were the new Porsche 911 Carrera, the Maybach 62 and the newly unveiled Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4.
Interactive features
Crowds attending over the next few days for an admission fee of Dh50 can also take part in interactive features on display at the motor show including the Nissan Live Action Track, the Driving Dynamics Racetrack sponsored by Audi and Wheels, the MINI Test Driving Arena, and the Infiniti Fastest Tyre Change Contest on a replica F1 racing car.
New models: thinking small
Global auto brands Maserati and Audi both used the first day to showcase both new and classic products, with Maserati showing off its luxury sport SUV - the Kuban - and Audi showing off the Q3, Audi's first SUV, as well as the A1, A6, A7, A8 L W12 and R8 GT. "At the 125th anniversary of the car, we are reinventing the car.
The objective for Audi is not just to keep up with the pack; we want to set the pace," said Jeff Mannering, Managing Director of Audi Middle East. Umberto Cini, Managing Director for Maserati Middle East and Africa, is expecting a lot of attention for the brand at the show.
"The Middle East is one of the most influential regions for Maserati and we hope our vision for the future thrills visitors to the show."
Meanwhile, Mazda unveiled its new CX-5 model at the show, which cuts emissions by using lightweight materials. The new SKYACTIV design is 10 per cent lighter, 30 per cent lower in friction, 15 per cent more fuel efficient, and 15 per cent more energetic at low and midrange rpm.
BMW, which revealed its new BMW 6 Series Coupe at the show, was also upbeat about the reception to their new models.
"We have a lot to be excited about. 2011 has been a great year so far for The Group and we are looking forward to ending the year and moving in to 2012, on a high."
