SAUDI ARABIA: New vehicles unveiled at the Riyadh Motor Show

Record ID: 188656

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: New vehicles unveiled at the Riyadh Motor Show
  • Date: 7th December 2010
  • Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (DECEMBER 5, 2010) (REUTERS) ( * BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) VARIOUS OF NEW ZELAS CAR FROM TOYOTA BEING UNVEILED PEOPLE APPLAUDING
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVABWCBF4YYDXPRKX6ZH5KUK5Q7C
  • Story Text: The annual Riyadh Motor Show opened in Saudi Arabia unveiling new models from international carmakers.
    Showcasing their vehicles at the five day event were automakers including Toyota, Nissan, Renault and Ford.
    For the company representatives, the event provides a platform for them to attract buyers and boost their sales.
    ''The Riyadh Motor show is the perfect place to show off our new cars, vehicles. Because customers, they will come to see our new models, they will come to see the virtual, the Raptor car, and to drive it. On Raptor you feel as though you're driving in bumpy roads,'' said Hussein Murad, who is head of Ford's marketing and sales team in the Middle East.
    The car show, now in its 28th year, attracts all ages with Ibrahim Abdullah being among the scores of visitors flocking through the venue's doors.
    ''I think the thing that I like best are sports cars, they appeal to young people. The most important thing is the engine, the horse power, also wheel-drive front or behind, these things are important in a car,'' said Abdullah.
    Local media reports said event organisers expect more than 85,000 people to visit the exhibition.
    The oil exporting country is one of the Middle East's biggest car markets, and automaker Renault said they're planning to invest heavily in the Saudi auto market in the next decade.
    ''We are planning to invest around hundred million Saudi riyals in the coming 10 years down line in terms of Infrastructure, in terms of resources, in terms of people, and this is where customer satisfaction will be key. So that we are near to the customer and when customer are near they get the right service from the right people,'' said Renault's Managing GCC Director Mustansir Lakdawala.
    Show organisers forecast sales in the country to reach 880,000 vehicles a year by 2013.
    Event organisers also added that this year's show is aimed at a younger demographic, especially as many young Saudis drive brands like Lexus and Porsche.
    ''Of course Auto Riyadh isn't really that different to Auto Jeddah. But here the difference is that the exhibition is big, it's divided, it's beautiful, there's a large space, lots of cars are on display this year and there is a focus on young people, and cars for young people,'' said event director Fahad Gazuni Saudi.
    The Riyadh Motor Show is seen as one of the oldest and most important car shows in the region, especially as it attracts buyers, investors and allows visitors the opportunity to test drive cars. It runs until the 9th December.
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