Visitors at the Qatar Motor Show yesterday

More than 30,000 people, comprising different nationalities and age groups, thronged the Doha Exhibition Centre on the last day of the first international edition of the Qatar Motor Show yesterday.

According to the show organisers, the four-day exhibition succeeded in sending a message to the manufacturers of major vehicle brands about the rising purchasing potential of loyal clientele in  the local and regional  markets.

On display at the event were the latest and most exclusive sports, luxury and SUV models from 36 automotive brands.

The organisers said the exhibition attracted 80,000 visitors in the four days starting from Wednesday. While the visitors numbered around 8,000 on the opening day, on Friday alone, about 30,000 people flocked to the pavilions.

The event was organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority in partnership with q.media events and GL Events and was held under the patronage of Prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani.

“The Qatar Motor Show has proved to be an extremely good event and Qatar has made a right choice in hosting the event at a time when the country is readying for many major international events. The show has received wonderful response and as organisers we are more than satisfied with the outcome of the edition,” said an official of the organising  committee.

The exhibition, he said, could well be the starting point of more exhibitions to come. “We are looking forward to making the exhibition an annual event bringing with it more and more surprises,” he added.

Over 55 exhibitors, including car accessory manufacturers, participated in the four-day event displaying over 135 car models.

“The number of people and car enthusiasts who attended the exhibition exceeded our expectations. Any success of an event is measured by the number of visitors who attend the show, and for this one I have to say we as exhibitors are more than pleased,” said brand manager of one of the major German automobile manufacturers.

“The president and CEO of Porsche in Germany, came all the way here to participate in the Qatar Motor Show,” he added.

The show attracted senior officials of manufacturing companies from the US and Europe and they stayed during the whole course of the show, said an official of the organisers.

Along with the show, the country also played host to the first Middle East Automotive Summit, which brought together the elites of the automotive industry under a single umbrella. They discussed, debated and provided solutions to the challenges that automobile industry is facing, along with the motor show.

Officials of two major companies felt the show should be continued every year so that the automobile awareness of the local population would go up.