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Satyendra Pathak
Doha
The ongoing seventh edition of Qatar Motor Show has been receiving overwhelming response from car lovers from across the region as the show has registered more than 10,000 visitors within two days of its launch, an organiser of the event has said.
If it continues like this, the official said, the total number of visitors might cross 50,000 once the five-day show concludes on April 22.
"The response from car lovers this time is quite impressive. It is much better than the previous editions. We have received good number of visitors during week days on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"We expect more visitors on Thursday, Friday and the concluding day on Saturday," an official of the organising committee said.
Several factors that are contributing to the growing number of visitors this year, he said, adding that the decision to organise the show in April after the Geneva Motor Show was vital.
"Earlier, the Qatar Motor Show used to be held in January before the Geneva Motor Show. As most of the car brands unveil their latest models and products at the Geneva Motor Show, which is generally held in March, the show in Qatar rarely saw the launch of new cars.
"But this year, many brands are showcasing their latest products in Qatar within few days of unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show," the official noted.
For many car lovers in Qatar and other neighbouring countries, he said, even the second launch of new cars was as fresh as the first one for the region.
What has also contributed to making this year's edition of Qatar Motor Show a big hit among car lovers, is the introduction of a separate exhibition for classic cars.
Mawater Centre Executive Secretary Mohammed Ibrahim Alemadi told Qatar Tribune that 20 vintage cars displayed at the Qatar Motor Show were drawing a lot of crowd.
While a number of Qatari nationals and residents are showing keen interest in having a close look at classic cars, Alemadi said, a number of visitors from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have especially come to see such cars at the show.
"The 20 vintage cars comprising seven from Sheikh Faisal Museum, six from Al Fardan and seven from Mawater Center are a rare collection of classic cars. It's a big draw this time," Alemadi said.
"There is no doubt that the introduction of vintage cars for public display this year is instrumental in drawing large crowd to the show," he said.
"We rarely get to see such classic cars. I am fortunate to have seen such cars at the Qatar Motor Show. All the 20 cars are quite unique. I have taken selfies with all the cars. It's a rare moment for me," a visitor from Kuwait said.
Besides swanky cars, high-end motorbikes displayed at the show are also drawing many visitors to the show.
Qatar Motorcycles Centre General Manager Mohamed al Kbaisi told Qatar Tribune that the growing craze for motorbikes in the country was evident from the huge crowds seen at the Harley-Davidson and other motorbike stalls.
Kbaisi said that Qatar Motor Show was an ideal platform to popularise motorbikes among local residents.
