The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT has pulled in the crowds at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre during the 8th Middle East International Motor Show. The Middle East’s biggest motor show, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), it took place over five days this month. The new version of the Quattroporte - which received its world premiere at the Frankfurt IAA in September alongside the Quattroporte Executive GT - made its first appearance in the Middle East on the well presented Trident stand, which was organised by Al Tayer Motors LLC, Maserati’s official importer in the UAE. The normal Quattroporte sedan, was also on display alongside the new Sport GT version.

Utilising a total of ten exhibition halls, the Middle East International Motor Show is not only the biggest, but has also firmly established itself to be the most lively and popular international automotive event, in the region. It has a track record of pulling in affluent crowds from all of the GCC states and neighbouring countries. Visitors include members of the regions' many Royal Families, VIPs, and top ranking government officials, as well as international celebrities from the motoring world.

The 2005 Motor Show saw more than ninety international vehicle manufacturers, tuners and customisers displaying the latest in design and technology, to over 85,000 motor enthusiasts from all around the Middle East. DWTC Director General Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri said: “Automobiles, automotive parts, accessories and components are a multi million-dollar business in the Middle East. Our region has among the highest cars-per-household ratios in the world and the biennial motor show provides a fantastic impetus to sales.” He added that the motor show underlines the reasons why more global corporations, including automobile giants find Dubai and the region so conducive to their business growth.
 

“Dubai is at the forefront of spearheading economic growth in the region, and the automobile sector can only benefit from this,” Mr. Al Marri observed. According to industry estimates, the automobile sector is growing at an impressive 10 ten percent annually in the GCC region and the Motor Show provides the perfect platform for the industries global players to meet and do business in this buoyant market. Like the market it serves, the motor show has seen exceptional growth over the past couple of years. The 7th edition of the show, held in December 2003, saw as many as 75,167 visitors checking out the vehicles on display during the five-day event. This was an unprecedented 82% growth on the previous edition’s figure. The Motor Show also saw the exhibition floor space reach a significant 24,000 square metres spread over seven exhibition halls.

“This year the show continues to build on this phenomenal growth with the 2005 show covering over 45,000 square metres in the DICEC utilising a total of 10 exhibition halls, the concourse, as well as the external space,” said DWTC General Manager Events, Trixee Loh.

More than thirty international automobiles - including the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT - made their regional debut at the five-day Middle East International Motor Show. Among the cars that captured the attention of the premium buyers were the Rolls-Royce 100EX Centenary Experimental car, the powerful 1,001bhp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, Murcielago Roadster, Gallardo Spyder, the all-new 2006 version of Ford's cmid-size SUV, the GMC Graphyte concept, Porsche Carrera, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, the Maybach 62, and Range Rover Sports 2006.