Driven by strong growth in the global automotive industry that is set to surpass 23 million units in commercial vehicle sales by 2010, Reed Exhibitions Middle East announced plans to rebrand and launch the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show (ADIMS). The event will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) on Dec. 17-21, 2008. “Abu Dhabi is a natural choice for an automobile show as it is the richest of the oil-laden emirates, has a large expatriate population and is effectively transforming itself into a global tourist destination,” said Frederic Theux, president of Reed Exhibitions Middle East. “The regional automobile industry is growing thanks to the economic, technology, prices and competition while the global market for commercial vehicles is expected to cross 23.2 million units by 2010,” Theux said. The fastest growth, in terms of both sales and production, of vehicles is expected from the developing economies of Asia-Pacific and Latin America. “The automobile industry in the Middle East is buoyant and is boosted by an open trade environment, the region's tax policies towards automobile sector and ready availability of consumer finance have also has spurred the industry's growth prospects,” he said. He noted that Abu Dhabi's diversification of its economy and ongoing expansion has attracted people from far-flung corners of the world, settling to live and work, enjoying first-class shopping, elegant hotels and a unique culture in Abu Dhabi. Forbes magazine, in March 2007, named Abu Dhabi as the world's richest city. Responsible for more than 90 percent of the UAE's oil production, Abu Dhabi possesses the fourth largest oil reserves in the world. According to media reports, Abu Dhabi has an investment fund exceeding $800 billion with more than $140 billion in government and privately-funded development projects currently underway in Abu Dhabi. Launched over 20 years ago, ADIMS is one of the oldest automobile exhibitions in the Middle East. With a completely new management, a new state of-the art venue and a new brand identity, the 2008 exhibition is slated to be the largest and most comprehensive motor show in the Middle East this year. Meanwhile Emirates Auctions pledged its support for the Abu Dhabi Auto Show by announcing an auction of cars and license plates, part of the proceeds of which will go to charity. “After the stupendous success of our auctions including the one in Abu Dhabi where we sold a number plate for $14 million, we will be conducting an auction at the Abu Dhabi Motor Show,” said Abdulla Al-Mannai, CEO of Emirates Auctions Company. __
