An unprecedented number of European manufacturers have been attracted to the third edition of the Commercial Vehicles Middle East (CVME) show, which starts today at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, and will continue until Thursday.
“We have had major interest from the European manufacturers than ever before, to the extent of Mercedes taking title sponsorship,” says Alexandria Robinson, Project Manager, CVME.
“This year they are really pushing their message through on a regional level. We also have on board Allison Transmission from France and Michelin, who are now the official tyre sponsor,” she says.
Other European brands include gold sponsor Shell, telematics sponsor Trinetra Wireless, plus Renault Trucks, IVECO and Bridgestone, a shot in the arm for the Middle East commercial vehicles industry and for the automotive industry in particular. “The support of these guys gives us the confidence to be able to move forward and say ‘look, this is something’ with regard to the Dubai show,” says Robinson.
The show being the one of its kind in the Middle East, Robinson says their aim is to eventually create a platform to rival that of the European exhibitions. “It’s going to take some time but getting these major brands behind us helps.”
She also welcomed leading players within the GCC, including AW Rostamani and Emirates Transport.
CVME 2012 addresses core industry issues, provides the latest industry information and is also positioning the UAE as a regional focal point for the commercial vehicles industry, according to show organisers from the Streamline Marketing Group.
The show also features a conference programme on the first two days, with a workshop on the third day for CVME Business Group members only.
This year’s CVME is focused more on trucks and light commercial vehicles than in previous years. However, Robinson says, “It doesn’t mean we are not focused on buses, but the conference has been structured in way that is more weighted in favour of this side of the industry. We have also managed to take the show in an entirely different direction this year, introducing for the first time a parts and services zone. This includes tyres, telematics, transmissions and then services including banking and financing.”
Information technology is particularly strong this year, with a focus on software providers. Geo & Logic will be launching GeoMama Tracking Solutions, a real-time, multi-lingual, multi-platform-based vehicle tracking system. The software, which was developed in-house, comes with an Arabic language support desk.
New products will be on display at the stand of Trinetra Wireless, a telematics solutions provider that is returning to the show after a successful CVME 2011. It will be showcasing its eco-friendly fleet management system as well as presenting a live demonstration of the product.
Other highlights will be the launch of the Al Mariah United Group’s collection of Wuzhoulong buses into the UAE market, including the very first CNG luxury coach. Mercedes will be presenting a full range of vehicles from heavy construction vehicles to vans and buses, ZNA Nissan will have their light commercial vehicles and Renault Trucks launches its new Sherpa 4x4 — the civilian version of the Sherpa Scout military vehicle. “I’m really excited about this, obviously, considering the market at the moment,” says Robinson.
Al Ghandi & Sons, the licensed distributor for the global transport heavyweight Iveco, will be launching new vans and Emirates Transport will also be displaying its vans.
Exhibiting countries include the UAE, US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, France, Taiwan and China. More than 50 hosted buyers are expected to attend, and organisers are planning for around 3,000 visitors. “While the visitor profile is predominantly from the UAE, considering the focus of the conference, a heavier leaning from the GCC and North Africa is anticipated,” says Robinson.
Visitors can still register on the day of the show. Besides, those who pre-register and attend the show get a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, in September 2012.
The winning fleet or transport manager will be a fully hosted VIP guest of Mercedes. Flights, hotels, transfers as well as a trip to IAA Hannover — one of the world’s largest motor shows in Germany, held from September 20 to 27 — as a VIP guest are included. “This is an industry-specific offer. We are looking for serious players so we came up with a prize that is going to be of great benefit to the winner,” says Robinson.
Participants need to be present at the prize draw, at the Mercedes-Benz stand, B50, Shaikh Saeed Hall 3, on Thursday at 4pm.
