Three-day tuning show opens in Sharjah, features exciting activities for petrol-heads

Sharjah, 13 March 2014

The UAE is set to emerge as the regional hub for auto tuning and customisation. The region's top aftermarket dealers and tuning companies that converged on Sharjah for an industry event cited rising luxury cars sales as the prime driver of the customisation industry.

Bringing together the region's finest tuning & customisation firms and petrolheads at a single platform, the fifth Middle East Motor Tuning Show got under way at Expo Centre Sharjah on March 13. It was opened by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Humaid Bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, and will continue until March 15.

It was attended by Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah; and other SCCI & Expo Centre representatives and industry executives.

"The UAE is the biggest market for most premium brands of vehicles.... and owners of these vehicles are the ones who would like to customise their vehicles the most. And thanks to their patronage, the Middle East Motor Tuning Show is on its way to achieving a cult status among well-heeled tuning enthusiasts," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Led by Maserati, with a sales surge of 44 per cent, top luxury brands in the Middle East such as Porsche (26%), Rolls-Royce (17%), Mercedes (16.7%), Audi (16.3%) and BMW (15%) reported impressive growth in their sales for 2013, which are forecast to grow by another 18-25 per cent in 2014.

About 380,000 vehicles are expected to have hit the roads in UAE alone in 2013. In the Gulf Cooperation Council region, the sales volume was set to reach 1.61 million in 2013 compared to 1.49 million the previous year.

Car dealers point out that while the total market in Saudi Arabia is the largest in the GCC -- at about twice the size of the UAE -- the UAE is close to twice the size of Saudi Arabia when it comes to the luxury car market.

"Recognising this potential, leading global industry associations and firms are homing in on the country and the region. The presence of the SEMA Pavilion for the second consecutive year and the debut of European Products Pavilion this year stand testimony to this fact," he added.

Aiming to cash in on the craze for customization, a Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) pavilion representing several US automobile aftermarket and tuning industry giants and a European Products Pavilion will have an impressive presence at this year's MEMTS.

The international participation is augmented by several trade delegations, which are visiting the show to check out latest products, innovations, and prospects of collaborations & dealerships.

"The show assumes significance since authorities have intensified their crackdown on unauthorised modifications on vehicles. In association with industry bodies, we are preparing the groundwork, and will look at assisting authorities in drawing up a list of guidelines that will help tuning enthusiasts hit the streets with their modified vehicles," said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, while listing the series of activities and contests lined up for the show.

"True to the nature of the show, we have an exciting new addition in the Biker Build Off this year, while an auction where visitors can bid for helmets painted by three best airbrush painters from Europe will add a charity angle as well," he said.

Apart from these, other activities at MEMTS include Drifting Arena (saloon cars, 4x4s, bike stunt shows), Tuned Cars Parade, Tuned Motor Bikes Parade, Motor Bike Driving Skills Competition, Cars & Motorbikes Dyno Test, Custom Motors Competition (cars, motorbikes & trucks), Live Airbrush Competition, EMMA Arabia Car Audio Competition and Photography Competition.

The previous edition of the show held in 2013 attracted nearly 36,000 car and bike lovers during its three-day run.

The fifth MEMTS will be held from March 13 to 15, 2014 at Expo Centre Sharjah and the timings will be from 10am to 10pm on 13th & 15th March and 3 pm to 10 pm only on Friday, 14th March. Entry is Dh. 40/- per person per day while Children under 8 years get free admission.

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About SEMA Pavilion:
The special SEMA pavilion is organized alongside the Middle East Motor Tuning Show 2014, and will feature more than 40 exhibitors representing leading American brands that are looking to introduce their products and explore partnerships in the region. SEMA pavilion is open from 3 to 10 pm only one day on 13th March and is open to trade and business visitors only.

About the Show:
The Middle East Motor Tuning Show is the region's one of its kind auto-aftermarket specialty products event that showcases performance tuning & racing products, body kits & accessories, tyres & wheels, sound systems & interior design, airbrush painting & exhaust and much more. The fifth MEMTS will be held from March 13 to 15, 2014. It will also feature 4x4 drifting, saloon car drifting, custom cars competition, custom bikes competition, EMMA car audio contest, live car modification and stunt bike show, among others.

For more information, please contact:
P. Ravi
Director - Marketing
Tel: 06-5991177 / Mobile: 050-6269781

Fatema Showaiter
Marketing Coordinator
Tel: 06-5991210

© Press Release 2014