The automobile show in Sharjah ended on a successful note with a record visitor turnout during the four-day event at Expo Centre Sharjah.

From the rare and historic classic car collection of the Sharjah Ruler to latest premium, performance and bespoke cars and exciting opportunities to win fabulous prizes, the show had something for everyone.

The unprecedented 74 per cent increase in the visitor turnout on day three (11,517 visitors as against the previous show’s 6,642) of the four-day show alone can vouch for the huge popularity of the show, said the organisers.

For the first time, generating much excitement and admiration among visitors, six classic cars from the collection of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, adorned the one-of-its kind vintage vehicles display at the show.

"The 12th International Automobile Show had something for everybody. Be it latest launches of popular brands, exciting activities, competitions, 4x4 track, prizes, and a chance to see classic cars, the show was a treat for all," said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, the CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah.

"To top it, dealers were competing with each other to ensure that each one gets maximum footfalls," he added.

While Sharjah Classic Car Museum & Club brought to the show vintage beauties on wheels from the early 1900s to the 1970s, the charge of the new brigade was led by the likes of BMW X6, the exclusive launch of the platinum limited edition of the all-new Nissan Patrol, Audi A7, Black Brabus 700 G63 6×6, regional launch of Mercedes-AMG GT S & Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, and Lotus Exige, among others.

Joe Rogan, the sales director of Al Habtoor Motors, said: "This year we had an incredible presence with three separate stands, each showcasing a separate product launch - the much-awaited 2015 Pajero, JAC S3 SUV, and Chery Arrizo 7."

"Overall, we are excited with the response and feedback from motoring aficionados and foresee great growth opportunities in both fleet as well as individual ownership categories," he noted.

A crowd puller at the show was the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, known as the Maharaja edition that is sold exclusively, as well as Rolls-Royce Drophead Pininfarina Hyperion. Besides, Rolls-Royce also showcased the new Ghost Series II at the show.

Porsche GT 3 Cup Race car that is driven by Ahmad Al Harithi and C. Schmidt made the Al Nabooda Automobiles stall a must visit for racing enthusiasts, said the organisers.

“The International Automobile Show is an important event for us in many ways, not least because we are passionate in our commitment to Sharjah and our customers here,” remarked K Rajaram, the CEO of Al Nabooda Automobiles.

Wassim Derbi, the marketing manager, Gargash Enterprises, said the company has been part of this international event for several years now.

“It is an ecstatic experience and we are looking forward to deliver the best to automotive enthusiasts”, he added.

Apart from the mega prize of a Jeep Wrangler Sport, visitors had several opportunities to win prizes ranging from an iPhone 6 to a chance to become a professional racecar driver.

Chinese carmaker BAIC, which is trying to expand its footprint in the region's automotive sector, offered visitors a chance to win the newly launched iPhone 6.

Emma Arabia hosted the sound and racing competitions while Nissan’s GT Academy’s virtual-to-reality contest on PlayStation allowed players to compete for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a real-life racecar driver.

Visitors also took part in a simulation race game by Lotus, and those with best lap times will get a chance to get behind the wheels of an actual Lotus at Dubai Autodrome.-TradeArabia News Service