Reed Exhibitions Middle East plans to re-brand and launch the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show (ADIMS).

The event will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) from December 17 to 21, 2008.

“Abu Dhabi is a natural choice for an automobile show as it is the richest of the oil-laden emirates, has a large expatriate population and is effectively transforming itself into a global tourist destination,” said president of Reed Exhibitions Middle East Frederic Theux.

“The regional automobile industry is growing thanks to the economic, technology, prices and competition while the global market for commercial vehicles is expected to cross 23.2 million units by 2010,” Theux added.

The fastest growth, in terms of both sales and production, of vehicles is expected from the developing economies of Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

“The automobile industry in the Middle East is buoyant and is boosted by an open trade environment, the region's tax policies towards automobile sector and ready availability of consumer finance have also has spurred the industry's growth prospects,” said Theux.

Theux noted that Abu Dhabi’s diversification of its economy and ongoing expansion has attracted people from far-flung corners of the world, settling to live and work, enjoying first-class shopping, elegant hotels and a unique culture in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile Emirates Auctions pledged its support for the Abu Dhabi Auto Show by announcing an auction of cars and license plates, part of the proceeds of which will go to charity.

“After the stupendous success of our auctions including the one in Abu Dhabi where we sold a number plate for $14 million, we will be conducting an auction at the Abu Dhabi Motor Show,” said CEO of Emirates Auctions Company Abdulla Al Mannai.

ADIMS - a biennial event - will showcase luxury cars, high performance supercars, custom cars, executive saloons, concept and hybrid cars, sports cars, off roaders and 4x4s, family cars and SUVs, motorcycles and quad bikes as well as commercial vehicles such as trucks and pickups, vans and mini buses, luxury coaches, limousines, trailers and campers. – TradeArabia News Service