Qatar Motor Show, a thrilling 2nd edition for 120,000 visitors

Qatar confirmed its exclusive role in the automotive world thanks to a thrilling second edition of the Qatar Motor Show, which succeeded in revving up the enthusiasm of the public. With results that exceeded even the most optimistic expectations, the six-day-long event was able to attract more than 120,000 enthusiastic visitors.

The formula adopted by the Qatar Tourism Authority, organisers of the show in collaboration with q.media Events and GL events, was confirmed a winning one.

Thanks to a full exhibition programme and, above all, a bevy of rousing outdoor shows, the Qatar Motor Show elevated itself not only as an international showcase for the most important brands of automobiles in the world, but also wonderfully entertaining, with competitions, drifting, motocross, and freestyle demonstrations from leading experts and world renowned professional drivers, as well as test drive opportunities for show-goers.

The 2012 Qatar Motor Show  edition was introduced by an exclusive Ferrari F1 event organized by Shell in partnership with the Qatar Motor Show. For the first time in Qatar, Qatar Shell thrilled more than 25,000 motorsport fans with a dazzling street demonstration, where Scuderia Ferrari F1 and driver Marc Gené delivered an outstanding performance to spectators and VIPs along the Doha Corniche.

Qatar Motor Show also consolidated its international appeal thanks to the 33 auto brand names present in addition to 10 motorbike brands, many of which chose the Doha Exhibitions Center for some of their regional premières and the international debuts of the concept car Mission L by Skoda and the charming and futuristic concept car by Up Design, Vittoria.

Exciting premières and launches on a regional scale featured the new Volkswagen’s 2012 Passat luxurious four-door family sedan, 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS, the new MINI Coupè Roadster, the 2012 Audi S7, S8 sport sedan, the magnificent RS 5 sports Coupè and the limited edition R8 GT Spyder.

Regional premières continued with Maserati GranCabrio Sport, BMW all-new 3 Series, Ferrari 458 Spider, 2012 Mercedes ML, 2012 Nissan Sunny, and a diamond edition of the 2012 Nissan Patrol. Sportiness was ensured also thanks to the presentations of the Bugatti Gran Sport, Bentley Continental GTC and Lamborghini Aventador.

Crowds also thronged to the initiative promoted in collaboration with the Car Coachbuilders Group of ANFIA, the Italian Association of the Automotive Industry. An exhibition area of the 2012 Qatar Motor Show was dedicated this year to the automobiles conceived, designed, and constructed by Italian firms representing the ultimate in Italian car design: Pininfarina, I.DE.A. Institute, UP Design and Touring Superleggera. Concept cars, super cars, prototypes and special bodies were presented for the first time in Qatar, considered by many as one of the leading markets in the world for luxury and sport cars.

The second edition of the Qatar Motor Show also attracted great media attention: more than 200 accredited journalists arrived from 13 countries including: China, US, India, Germany, France, UK, Italy, and across the Middle East.

To highlight the international appeal of the event, the 2012 Qatar Motor Show opened with The 2^nd Middle East Automotive Summit. During the Summit, in the presence of Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Qatar Tourism Authority, the leaders of the car world, of technology and of energy took stock of how the automotive sector is grasping the challenge of a market which is demanding cars that are increasingly intelligent, sustainable and innovative.

A highly prestigious and authoritative panel of speakers participated in the session dedicated to The New Age of Mobility moderated by Mr. Harald Hamprecht, Editor-in-Chief of Automotive News Europe: Mr. Luigi Ippolito, Product Strategic Scenario & Innovation of Magneti Marelli, Mr. V.G. Ramakrishnan, Senior Director of Automotive and Transportation for the region of Frost & Sullivan, Mr. Roberto Vavassori, Vice President SGL/Brembo & Business Development Director of Brembo, Mr. Harald Ludanek, Head of Vehicle Engineering and Prototyping in the Technical Development Area of Volkswagen AG and Ahmed M. Surour, CEO of the Qatar Automotive Gateway.

The 2012 Qatar Motor Show was also the occasion to hear an important announcement, made by Mr. Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad, Chairman of QatarAg, concerning the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Prodrive, the UK-based company specializing in automotive engineering and technology, and the leading manufacturer of carbon fiber automotive components used by high end brands such as Jaguar, Bentley, McLaren and others.

But the 2012 Qatar Motor Show also offered what can be considered pure entertainment. Thanks to the numerous simulators available at the show, like the locally-designed and engineered Williams immersion formula simulator, the Ford WRC simulator and the Shell Ferrari F1 simulator, visitors were able to virtually experience dynamic and interactive driving, while outdoor areas featured test driving sessions with a star-studded roster of driving instructors, like the Lebanese rally champion and Middle East Hill Climb champion and Red Bull Athlete Abdo Feghali and Marco Giony, professional drift and stuntman.

The Motorsport Outdoor Arena, powered by MBN Automobiles, also boasted the participation of amazing and extreme drivers like Chris Pfeiffer, four times Stunt Riding world champion, demonstrated breathtaking skills and tricks on his motorcycle.  FMX favorites Nick Franklin, Nick de Wit and Frederic Berggren also wowed the crowds during their extreme shows.

For information on the exhibition and details of the programme please visit: www.qatarmotorshow.gov.qa

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