Global Players Tune In To Regional Tuning Industry
US aftermarket majors testing regional waters: MEMTS announces line-up of Motorsport Events
In a clear indication of the growing global attention on the regional car customization industry, a premier tuning show in Sharjah for the first time since its inception four years ago will play host to a US pavilion, apart from attracting trade delegations from nine countries.
For its fourth edition, the Middle East Motor Tuning Show will host a Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) pavilion that represents no less than 70 firms representing the US automobile aftermarket and tuning industry, eyeing a major share of the fast-growing market.
Details of the event were announced at a press conference held at Expo Centre Sharjah on March 11, 2013, ahead of its scheduled run from March 14 to 16, 2013.
It was addressed by Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General, Expo Centre Sharjah; Mr. Peter MacGillivray, SEMA Vice-President, Communications & Events; Mr. Nasser Taqi, Managing Partner of Dr. Custom Motorcycles; Mr. Saeed Al Marzouqi, CEO, Top Speed Performance; and Mr. Roman Gavrilin, Exhibition Manager, Middle East Motor Tuning Show, Expo Centre Sharjah.
“A rise in international participation and number of trade delegations point to a buoyant regional customization market, which is fuelled by a population that is young, affluent and loves their choppers and personalized vehicles. By bringing together leading global players and organizing an impressive line-up of activities, the Middle East Motor Tuning Show is now aiming to be the premier event for both the aftermarket industry and petrolheads,” said Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah.
The SEMA pavilion, named SEMA Middle East, will feature leading American brands that are looking to introduce their products and explore partnerships in the region, boosting international participation from Europe, Japan and Australia.
“SEMA is the organizer of the largest modified cars show in the US, which brings together more than 2,000 exhibitors and attracts close to 100,000 visitors. We see the Middle East as a highly potential market and the Middle East Motor Tuning Show as the perfect vehicle to ride the customization wave sweeping the region,” said Mr. MacGillivray.
“SEMA will be joined by manufacturers several of whom are visiting the region for the very first time,” added Mr. MacGillivray.
MEMTS will also see trade delegations from nine countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, apart from trade representatives from the UAE.
“Car tuning and customization is a rage in all these countries, with high-end customers there looking for highly individualized looks and feel for their mean machines. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the main demand drivers among these countries, while others too have a dedicated and thriving market for customization,” added Mr. Midfa.
The press conference also revealed an impressive array of new motorsport events that the show will host, apart from the regular ones. They include performances by UAE Red Bull Car Park Drift 2013 winner Jihad Hassan, first Arab woman to compete on the international motorsport circuit Noor Daoud and a competition for customized bikes, among other exciting activities.
It will be the first major performance by Jihad Hassan after he won the UAE Red Bull Car Park Drift last month, before he takes part in the finals, eyeing the title of the ‘Red Bull Car Park Drift King’.
Hassan will showcase his drifting skills as part of the Drift UAE Team participating in the show, which will feature drifting performances throughout its three days. The current UAE Drift King, Ahmed Al Ameri, too will be present at the show, and take part in an autograph session.
Noor Daoud, a 23-year-old Palestinian who is part of all-female motor racing team Speed Sisters, will give racing fans a treat with her superb display of the extraordinary fishtailing ballet of burning rubber called drifting.
And, for the first time, the Middle East Motor Tuning Show is also hosting a customized bikes’ competition, promising a first-of-its-kind bikers’ gathering in the Northern Emirates.
For the custom bike contest, since the region is home to several biking groups, more than 100 custom bikes are expected to take part in the competition, with the winner getting to take home Dhs. 20,000 prize money in cash. The contest is sponsored by Victory Motorcycles and supported by Bikers Café.
MEMTS will also hold a bike parade that will be held on Friday (March 15), which will pass through all prominent streets and areas of Sharjah, and will offer bike owners a unique opportunity to show off their machines.
Apart from the new event, other regular activities at the show include the custom car competition, car audio contest, live vehicle modification, drifting & burn out arena, saloon car drifting and air brush contest.
MEMTS will also host the first ever motorsport conference to underscore the strong fundamentals of the lucrative customization sector and let regional players gain international experience and expertise.
Emirate: Sharjah
Date: Mar 12, 2013
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