- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Luxury car exhibition opens in Riyadh
- Date: 31st October 2013
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (OCTOBER 29, 2013) (REUTERS) LOGO ON THE NEW LEXUS LF-CC ON DISPLAY AT EXHIBITION VARIOUS OF THE NEW LEXUS LF-CC ON DISPLAY BLUE LEXUS ON DISPLAY WITH SCREEN IN BACKGROUND PROMOTING PERFORMANCE LUXURY CAR EXHIBITION WITH VISITORS WALKING AROUND REPRESENTATIVES OF PORSCHE UNCOVERING A NEW MODEL, THE PORSCHE 911 TURBO S / ONLOOKERS APPLAUD VISITORS WALKING AROUND NEW MODEL (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR PORSCHE, DAVID GIBBS, SAYING: "This car actually was flown in especially, just for the EXCS motor show. We are absolutely delighted to have it here. You know, it is a true icon, as you are aware 560 brake horsepower, a 3.8 litre engine. And we believe it is going to be a true success here in Saudi Arabia." VISITORS WALKING AROUND NEW PORSCHE 911 TURBO S MODEL BACK OF VEHICLE READING (English): 'PORSCHE / 911 TURBO S' LAMBORGHINI LOGO VISITOR TAKING PICTURES NEW MCLAREN MODEL ON DISPLAY WOMAN TAKING PHOTO OF CAR ON DISPLAY CHILD INSIDE MCLAREN MODEL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EXCS INTERNATIONAL LUXURY MOTOR SHOW, ABDULLAH AL-SHAMASI, SAYING: "The idea for the EXCS show was established in 2007. It is now in its seventh session and the show is considered the most important car show in the Middle East. It has gained acceptance and interest from first class car makers and year after year, the number of companies participating increases, with greater interest and presence from companies and officials." EXHIBITION IN PROGRESS ASTON MARTIN LOGO NEW FULL CARBON FIBRE ASTON MARTIN MODEL, VANQUISH, ON DISPLAY BRAND MANAGER FOR ASTON MARTIN, MARK L. POCOCK, SEATED INSIDE VEHICLE DESCRIBING FEATURES (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRAND MANAGER FOR ASTON MARTIN, MARK L. POCOCK, SAYING: "The Saudi market for us is growing on an ongoing basis and we are aiming to - over the coming years - to treble our sales with new products coming on stream." VISITORS LOOKING AT CHEVROLET CAMARO AUTOMOBILE ON DISPLAY MAN IN DRIVING SEAT OF CHEVROLET CAMARO FRONT OF NEW SRX CADILLAC AUTOMOBILE CADILLAC LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EXCS INTERNATIONAL LUXURY MOTOR SHOW, ABDULLAH AL-SHAMASI, SAYING: "What distinguishes this show is that for the first time in the Middle East, car companies are launching 13 new luxury models and we have the worldwide launch of two new models. This is an indication that the show is in line with the Saudi market and the kingdom's economic status in the automotive sector." MODEL OF THE NEW KIA QUORIS ON DISPLAY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND SALES AT AL-JABR, AGENT OF KIA MOTORS, ABDULSALLAM AL-JABR, SAYING: "It is a great challenge to get into the luxury car market, matching the other brands and to have originality. But we were able to penetrate the market. The first year was very difficult and we were able to get a three percent rate in the market of luxury cars, where we sold 330 cars in Saudi Arabia." NADIA BAKHURJI, A VISITOR AT THE EXHIBITION TAKING PHOTOGRAPH VISITORS AT EXHIBITION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ENGINEER VISITING EXHIBITION, NADIA BAKHURJI, SAYING: "Most people in Saudi society have no chance of getting such cars, so these cars are a dream for them. Saudi people think: 'how can I own a house or a villa?' So citizens come here to look at the cars and dream." AUDI S8 ON SHOW AUDI S8 LOGO AUDI S7 SPORTBACK ON DISPLAY LOGO FOR CENTENNIAL VARIOUS OF CENTENNIAL AUTOMOBILE ON SHOW
- Embargoed: 15th November 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Business,General,Transport
- Reuters ID: LVA6X3OWINNUSWJ78TRJP97M4D5F
- Story Text: Enriched by its vast energy reserves that have swelled the coffers of Gulf Arab states in recent years, Saudi Arabians are buying growing numbers of luxury cars, say manufacturers, who are increasingly targeting the Gulf market.
Some of the world's most famous car companies came out in full force on Tuesday (October 29) to display their coveted wares at the EXCS International Luxury Motor Show in Riyadh.
The three day exhibition, now in its seventh year, will see the launch of 13 luxurious new automobile models for the first time in the Middle East.
Among the new car models being launched is the Porsche Carrera Turbo S.
"This car actually was flown in especially, just for the EXCS motor show. We are absolutely delighted to have it here. You know, it is a true icon," said marketing director for Porsche, David Gibbs.
"We believe it is going to be a true success here in Saudi Arabia," he added.
The annual luxury car show alternates between Riyadh and Jeddah and drew hundreds of visitors on the first day to the Four Seasons Hotel where this year's event is being staged.
Abdullah al-Shamasi, the CEO of EXCS International Luxury Motor Show, said the event was increasingly influential in the Middle East's automotive industry.
"The idea for the EXCS show was established in 2007. It is now in its seventh session and the show is considered the most important car show in the Middle East. It has gained acceptance and interest from first class car makers and year after year, the number of companies participating increases, with greater interest and presence from companies and officials," said al-Shamasi.
Visitors took photos of the gleaming metalwork and sweeping curves of the brand new sports cars on display, while some took the opportunity to sit behind the wheels of the cars and test the top-of-the-range engines.
Aston Martin brand manager Mark L. Pocock, who was at the exhibition, said the company hoped to vastly increase its sales in Saudi Arabia in the coming years.
"The Saudi market for us is growing on an ongoing basis and we are aiming to - over the coming years - to treble our sales with new products coming on stream," said Pocock, adding that the company was looking into making cars specifically for the Middle East market.
Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing economy has been boosted by years of strong prices for its oil exports and high government spending, leading to confidence from the manufacturing industry in the region.
The vice president of marketing and sales at Al-Jabr, which represents KIA Motors in Saudi Arabia, said gaining inroads into the market was tough, but had proven profitable.
"It is a great challenge to get into the luxury car market, matching the other brands and to have originality. But we were able to penetrate the market. The first year was very difficult and we were able to get a three percent rate in the market of luxury cars, where we sold 330 cars in Saudi Arabia," said Abdulsallam al-Jabr.
Young visitors to the exhibition, circling around cars on display and speaking to representatives, reflect the allure of automobiles as a signifier of growing wealth.
But only a few miles away from the Four Seasons, in the run-down neighbourhoods of southern and eastern Riyadh, impoverished Saudis struggle to find jobs and cannot afford the price of a small home.
Total employment in the country has grown 8.5 percent from 2010 to 2012 and employment among Saudi nationals has risen only 4.6 percent.
Unemployment among the youth and educated women is higher in Saudi Arabia than in other countries with similar incomes.
Visiting the exhibition, engineer Nadia Bakhurji said many of those who came to admire the cars on display were just acting out a dream, as most would not be able to afford the steep prices.
"Most people in Saudi society have no chance of getting such cars, so these cars are a dream for them. Saudi people think: 'how can I own a house or a villa?' So citizens come here to look at the cars and dream," said Bakhurji.
While luxury car manufacturers may target the wealthiest Saudis, many are put off by the high prices and terrible traffic that gridlocks the kingdom's cities and eventually puts dents in many of the cars on its streets.
And whether they can afford them or not, Saudi women at the exhibition are unlikely to have a chance to drive any of them, due to the ban on women driving.
Activists are campaigning for an end to Saudi Arabia's men-only road rules, arguing that there is no specific law that bans women from driving, although women cannot apply for driving licences.
Government officials say a ban is in effect because it accords with the wishes of society in the conservative kingdom.
But if the campaign fails, the women who are drawn to luxury car shows are likely to enjoy the vehicles only as passengers. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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