From 26th to 29th January 2011, Qatar will host its first ever Motor Show. Due to the nature of the car shows in the Middle East, you don’t expect car makers to unveil strategic products or amazing concept models. But exactly becasue of that nature they bring along their special editions, and coachbuilt models. They’ve just sent us a press release that shows Qatari officials know what will be interesting for the spectators there.
And they are writing on the right wall for that purpose by collaborating with the Car Coachbuilders Group of ANFIA, the Italian Association of the Automotive Industry. They are talking names like Autostudi, Bertone, Castagna, Fioravanti, Pininfarina, Salt, Spada, Touring Superleggera. And that’s amazing, even for European shows.
You normally wouldn’t care a bit about a motorshow in the middle east, to be honest we wouldn’t either! But by reviewing these names and of course being aware of the other things they’ve planned, gotta say, Qatar’s show is really up to something! I mean for every pathetic EV you’ve seen in Paris, you will see a supercar in Doha, and that’s good, isn’t it?!
More info on 2011 Qatar Motor Show in the official PR below:
The global media attended the presentation of the first edition of the Qatar Motor Show, an international exhibition dedicated to the automobile and the world of motor vehicles due to take place in Doha from 26th to 29th January 2011. It is organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in partnership with q.media Events and GL events, and under the patronage of HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.Against the refined backdrop of the Hotel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris, a splendid neo-classical building that has recently been renovated, Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority, H.E. Sheikh Al Hussain Bin Ali Bin Ahmad Al Thani, CEO of q.media, and Olivier Ferraton, CEO of GL events Services, Giada Michetti, CEO of GL events Italia, gave the global media a preview of the first edition of the Qatar Motor Show, an event that aims to swiftly establish itself as a leader on the international scene of events dedicated to the motor world.
It will be a high-profile occasion, crucial for automotive brands, in a global scenario that highlights the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula as markets that display the strongest potential for growth. With an estimated 5.8 million cars in circulation (source: Global Insight), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman registered an average 12% increase in car sales between July 2009 and 2010 (source: Global Insight). The peculiar characteristics of these markets include customers’ high level of spending power, their orientation towards high-end products, and their preference for luxury brands, sports cars and custom-built models.
The Doha Exhibitions Center, which will host the first edition of the Qatar Motor Show, will thus provide a launch pad for the latest models created by some of the most noted international carmakers in the premium segment onto the Middle Eastern markets.
In collaboration with the Car Coachbuilders Group of ANFIA, the Italian Association of the Automotive Industry, the Qatar Motor Show will host an area dedicated to concept cars, super cars, and to the prototypes conceived by several prestigious names in the fields of Made in Italy automotive design and special bodywork manufacture: Autostudi, Bertone, Castagna, Fioravanti, Pininfarina, Salt, Spada, Touring Superleggera.
The Qatar Motor show will be an unforgettable event because it will provide guests with an interactive and dynamic experience, according to a philosophy of “seeing, touching, trying”: the territory surrounding the Doha Exhibitions Center will host various demonstration areas for off-roading, freestyle and drifting exhibitions as well as test drive sessions of the latest car and SUV models. Visitors will also be able to approach leading experts for professional tips and advice regarding the driving styles best-suited to different conditions.
The Qatar Motor Show will also provide an opportunity for discussion and debate among key figures from the automotive world: the opening day, Wednesday 26th January, will host the first “Middle East Automotive Convention”. This important international event aims to foster periodic think-tank efforts, bringing high-profile speakers to Qatar to discuss the future of the automotive industry, and to propose a new vision of sustainable, intelligent and secure mobility.
While presenting the first edition of the Qatar Motor Show, the Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority, Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, stated: “Over the last decades, Qatar’s explosive economic growth has been primarily the result of our vast natural resources in gas and oil combined with a strong national vision imparted by our country’s esteemed leadership. We have emerged as a leading destination in the Gulf region for international exhibitions, conferences and special events. Sport has always played an important role in the lives of Qataris. We host international sports championships in tennis, golf, athletics and water sports. As such, Qatar Tourism Authority is pleased to bring the Qatar Motor Show to Doha as another exciting addition to the events calendar for Qatar and for the region”.
H.E. Sheikh Al Hussain Bin Ali Bin Ahmad Al Thani, CEO of q.media, said: ” The show will be a hands-on, interactive event. The Qatar Motor Show will be an immersive and all-encompassing experience that will have something for everyone. In addition to rally champions, fancy cars and the top international car manufacturers, the Qatar Motor Show will stand out from other auto shows by featuring exclusive interactive opportunities for participants to immerse themselves in the cutting edges of the automotive experience. By next January, when we launch the inaugural Qatar Motor Show, we will set an impressive benchmark for an event that will surely become a tradition, and that all residents of Qatar as well as visitors from around the region and the world, will be able to enjoy for years to come.”
Olivier Ferraton, CEO of GL events Services emphasised the importance of the partnership with Qatar Tourism Authority in the organisation of the Qatar Motor Show: “We chose to support GL Middle East with our Italian automotive branch, GL events Italia, a group that is experienced in managing the organisation of automotive events such as Bologna Motor Show, which has reached its 35th edition this year.”
In her speech, Giada Michetti, CEO of GL events Italia, declared that: “Qatar is attracting important investments and is becoming a tourist and cosmopolitan destination, fusing tradition and innovation; in fact even last year during a period of deep world economic crisis, Qatar marked an economic growth of 9%. The exhibition at its first edition is already a premium international auto show and an appointment for the international automotive sector in Middle East, where the car market grew by an average 12% in 2010.”
www.qatarmotorshow.gov.qa
