Auction of distinguished number plates expected to set new record

Dubai: License plate No. 1 is expected to set a new Guinness World Record for the most expensive car plate in the world when it goes under the hammer at the much-anticipated auction on Saturday at 4pm at Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

"Expectations for Plate No. 1 are high", said Abdullah Matar Al Mannaei, Managing Director of Emirates Auction, the official auctioneer for Code 5 distinguished number plate auctions.

"We are confident that we will set a new record," Al Mannaei said, adding that Emirates Auction has registered with Guinness World Records and will supply them the required material to issue the certificate if the record is broken.

The record-breaking event is creating an international media storm - CNN's coverage was the top downloaded video from their website the weekend of February 1, 2008.

"We wish Emirates Auction all the best with the Number 1," said Damian Lawson, Auctions Marketing Manager for the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the government agency which sells personalised plates in Britain.

Emirates Auction already holds the records for the top six most expensive plates worldwide.

Plate No. 1 is only the third one-digit number plate to go on sale so far, and by far the most prestigious.

Plates No. 5 and 7 sold for Dh25.2 million and Dh11 million respectively in 2007 - almost 10 ten times the value of the luxury cars they now adorn.

Both were snapped up by Abu Dhabi businessman Talal Ali Mohammad Khouri, who has signalled his participation in the upcoming auction to media outlets.

"In a short period of time, Emirates Auction has grown to be a leader in the Gulf region's auction industry", said Tommy Williams, President of the U.S.-based National Auctioneers Association (NAA), one of the largest trade associations for auctioneers.

"The quality and professionalism of their work can be witnessed by the remarkable returns of their auctions," Williams added.

The last five auctions raised $56 million from 393 plates, which went towards the support of special needs projects and victims of road accidents.

All proceeds from Saturday's auction will go towards building a national rehabilitation centre for traffic accident victims - the first of its kind in the UAE.

It will be run along the lines of the most advanced rehabilitation centers in the world and will provide physiotherapy, and other medical, psychological, social, occupational and recreational support.

Along with Plate No. 1, a total of 90 distinguished license plates will be on offer at the Saturday auction, including special numbers such as 96, 100, 212, 1111, 2001 and 31313.