Abu Dhabi Motor Show has low visitor turnout

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Motor Show where top automakers from around the world have converged with their latest product offerings, had a moderate to low turnout of visitors in the first two days, but the exhibition's organisers are optimistic the numbers will go up over the weekend.

Executives of Reed Exhibitions, the organisers of the five-day event, claimed some 8,000 visitors came on Wednesday for the show and greater numbers where expected on Thursday.

They have targeted 50,000 visitors during the auto show and kept the entry ticket modestly priced at Dh20 per person. Those below the age of 12 enter free.

More than 35 automakers are exhibiting their cars at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the venue for the motor show.

However, the low turnout of visitors on Thursday was evident. Until 2:30pm., stalls of exhibitors wore a deserted look despite latest models of cars being on display.

These included top-of-the-line luxury cars from Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini. There were times when there were more exhibitors than visitors at the venue.

"It seems the global fin-ancial crisis is taking a toll. We were certainly expecting greater number of visitors, but they have kept away," a person at the motor show's registration counter, who wished to remain anonymous, told Gulf News.

However, in terms of participation by automakers, Pavinder Singh, project manager for Reed Exhibitions, said, "Not a single company pulled out."

In a bid to woo customers in the UAE, the ailing US automaker General Motors introduced eight new models across its portfolio of brands at the motor show. These will come into the market next year.

Chrysler said it is launching one new model for the year ahead. As well, Renault introduced four new models, Korea's Kia one, Toyota one, and Jaguar a limited edition sports car.

For product display space, Reed Exhibitions charged car manufacturers $156 (Dh573) per square metre and $230 per square metre from accessory makers. The total display space at the auto show is 38,000 square metres.