NoFilterDXB: UAE's car market is revving up for some serious action in 2022

By September, a sizeable number of UAE consumers started to have the same thought – that they need to buy a new car. That was also the moment dealerships in the UAE realised that they were looking at one serious upcoming market upturn. These bullish sentiments were on full display at the #NoFilterDXB motor show that opened in Dubai on November 24.

Because consumers were tired of waiting around – they just had to get a new set of wheels. “It could be that a lot of them were feeling confident about business and career prospects,” said the marketing manager at a luxury car dealer. “They had built quite a decent savings from not doing much in 2020 – and buying a car seemed the most natural thing to do.”

Today, dealerships have only one thing on their mind – will they have enough stocks to see them through until the next shipment arrives? All of the in-demand and super-niche models are pre-booked.

Skate boarding area at the Nofilterdxb. Photo: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

For 2022, UAE is looking at around 200,000 new vehicles getting sold, which will be a near 30 per cent gain on the 2020 tally. As always, luxury and super-luxury models are leading the way when it comes to demand. That’s one trend UAE’s automotive market will never outgrow.

Showroom prices could be in for a 5-10 per cent increase on average in 2021, primarily because of the higher cost of shipping them in from factories the world over. Dealership sources say they will try and absorb as much of the costs as possible. (Putting the finishing touches of a different kind at the #NoFilterDXB event.)

But in that rarefied world of high-performance vehicles, a price tag is inconsequential. In this world, it’s the sundry other details that matter, not least how fast can it do the 0-100 km/h.

More brands will have their electric vehicle options – keep an eye out for Lotus’ electric SUV, codenamed ‘Type 132’. UAE’s auto market is building up options on the electric side. Pictured here is the all-new Ford Raptor.

Another new brand is coming up in the UAE. The latest auto manufacturer in the world, Ineos, will debut with the Grenadier some time in 2022.

But that is all going to happen in the near future. For now, enjoy in the display of all that horsepower on show at #NoFilterDXB.