Vehicle number plate 1 to be auctioned soon

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police will auction the most sought-after vehicle number plate, No 1, soon, a senior official told Gulf News.

"This is the first time Abu Dhabi Police are auctioning No 1 and preparations are on with the cooperation of the Emirates Auction Company to make it a success," said Lt Col Abdul Rahman M. Ali Al Kamali, Director of Administration of Privatisation and Financial Investments in the Ministry of Interior.

He said this is the third single-digit number auctioned by Abu Dhabi police after Nos. 5 and 7 which were sold last year.

Al Kamali expects that No 1 may break the world record.

"We think it may fetch more money than No 5 which was sold for Dh25 million and made a Guinness world record as the most expensive number plate." No 7 was sold for Dh11 million.

Talal Ali Mohammad Khouri, a prominent businessman in Abu Dhabi, bought both No 5 and No 7.

The minimum price for No 1 and the date of the auction will be announced soon, said the official.

Meanwhile the fifth auction will be held at 4pm on January 12 at the Emirates Palace Hotel, said Al Kamali.

"A total of 100 numbers including 32 two-digit numbers, 34 four-digit numbers and 35 five-digit numbers will be auctioned," the official said.