DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW @DubaiMotorShow 2013 TAKES POLE POSITION IN NEWLY ANNOUNCED DUBAI MOTOR FESTIVAL

More than 600 vehicles and 35 percent increase in size for Middle East’s Premier Automotive Event

 As the anchor event in the newly announced Dubai Motor Festival created under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai International Motor Show is gearing up for its biggest edition yet. Held every two years, this year’s event is more than 35 percent bigger than the 2011 edition and is expected to showcase over 600 vehicles during the five day show. Dubai Motor Festival is the under the auspices of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
In addition to providing the perfect showcase for the world’s top automotive manufacturers to debut their latest models, the Dubai International Motor Show is also the launch platform for an unprecedented number of newcomers to the region - almost 40 percent of exhibitors this year are participating for the first time. 
Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “The Dubai International Motor Show has grown in size and stature with each edition, developing into one of the key automotive shows for the Middle East region. Under the umbrella of the new Dubai Motor Festival, the time is now right to extend the reach of the show beyond its traditional framework, into new events to reach new audiences.
“The Dubai Motor Festival will leverage Dubai’s strategic location at the centre of a region that loves, appreciates and collects the world’s top automotive models.  And with the luxury car market in the Middle East predicted to double between 2010 and 2015, it is easy to understand the importance of the Dubai International Motor Show.”
Many of the top automotive manufacturers from Europe, North America and Asia have confirmed their participation, with a number of concept cars, new models and hybrid cars scheduled to make their debut during the event including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Brilliance, Bugatti, Cadillac, Chery, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Dongfeng, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Great Wall Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Mazda, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, RAM, Rolls Royce, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Highlights this year include a host of new and returning brands including, Alpha Romeo, Austin Healey, BYD, Devel 16, Devolro, Fiat, JAC, Opel, Spania GT, Stingray RV and W Motors.
“We’re very excited about our participation in the 2013 Dubai International Motor show - as a result of the global strategic alliance between Fiat and Chrysler, our stand will feature an expanded range of brands and models, with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, SRT and Ram joined for the first time by Fiat and Alfa Romeo.
“Among the major highlights will be three regional (EMEA) premieres and two Middle East premieres of new, highly anticipated models,” Jack Rodencal, Managing Director of Chrysler Group Middle East.
Commenting on Opel’s participation at Dubai International Motor Show 2013, Gilbert Nassar, Brand Manager, Opel, Liberty Automobiles said, “Our strong products and innovative concepts have lead Opel back onto the road to success. Visitors to the Opel stand at Dubai International Motor Show will witness and feel how Opel lives its brand values, ‘German engineering, approachable and exciting’. We look forward to welcoming all visitors and see the brand’s products up close.”
The introduction this year of The Bike Zone gives motorcycling enthusiasts a dedicated zone that will feature the latest in sports bikes, cruisers, custom built bikes, off road, all/urban terrain vehicles and motorcycle related products. Key brands such as Suzuki, Yamaha and Rumble Cycles will showcase the latest models in the growing two-wheeled and three-wheeled segment.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hassan El Houbi, General Manager of Suzuki Middle East said: “We are excited to be back and to once again participate in the Dubai International Motor Show. We will be launching the long anticipated Suzuki Boulevard 1800BZ cruiser bike, the 2014 legendry Hayabusa and the new GSR750 street bike.
“In addition, our stand will give visitors a great overview of our Suzuki products.  Created and engineered to satisfy all riding styles and usage, from race track riding the GSXR super sport series, coastal cruising on the Boulevard series, manoeuvring the sand dunes on our ATV’s or delivering urgent documents riding our commercial bikes series.”
Official Tyre of this year’s show is the region’s leading tyre and rubber company, Bridgestone, who will be showcasing their new range of tyres as well as the latest technological innovations. Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), the Dubai Government-owned, diversified energy group, has been named as the Official Lubricant.
Two additional events will be launched during the Dubai Motor Festival, complementing the Dubai International Motor Show:  the Red Bull Middle East Car Park Drift Championships, which will test the nerves and skill of some of the region’s top drivers, and the Dubai Car Parade which will see the streets of Dubai come alive with hundreds of luxury, sports and classic cars led by the Dubai Police fleet of high performance cars.

Dubai International Motor Show will be held from 5–9 November 2013 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The show is open from 5pm–10pm on Tuesday 5 November, 11am–10pm on 6, 11am-11pm on 7 and 8 and 11am-10pm on 9 November. Ticket prices are AED 55. For more information, visit www.dubaimotorshow.com.