BIZ BAHRAIN JAN-FEB 2018

Interview | Bahrain Auto Fair
For fans waiting for the latest
models of their preferred car
brands, the Bahrain Auto Fair
2018 is the place to be, as manufacturers
unveil latest models and put old
favourites on display.
Slated as the largest automobile
festival in Bahrain, the Fair offers
important opportunities to build
relationships within the industry, to
showcase progress and achievement
in the sector, and to explore new
opportunities with stakeholders in
the automotive world. Held under
the patronage of His Excellency
Shaikh Hisham Bin Abdulrahman
Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Governor
of the Capital Governorate, it offers
manufacturers a public showcase for
their vehicles, providing information,
test drives and model unveilings as well
as car customisation options. A classic
car show and various entertainments
planned alongside is expected to
create an exceptional inaugural event
attracting scores of car aficionados and
other visitors.
bizbahrain talks to the organisers
to learn more about the event and the
vision for the future.
How did the concept of the BAHRAIN
AUTO FAIR 2018 come about? Who were
the main people involved?
The organizing committee, which
consists of members from both
SolidVision and Eleven&Bridge, came
up with the idea of holding a unique car
fair. We planned it as an entertaining
event suitable for the whole family, with
something for all age categories. Thus,
we had a mission of creating an event to
be the first of its kind, held in a dynamic
and strategic location at the Bahrain
Financial Harbor, on an area of 20,000
square meters in the heart of Manama,
and to make it as a exceptional annual
forum for all car makers, car enthusiasts
and visitors. We came up with a variety
of side activities that are interesting
for all audiences, and executed these
activities in a way that does not clash
with the main automobile-centric
concept of Bahrain Auto Fair 2018.
What are some of the special
characteristics of Bahrain Auto Fair 2018?
The event will be held within the 4th
edition of Bahrain Shopping Festival-
Shop Bahrain, and will have a diverse
program of recreational activities
such as a "Classic Cars Show" besides
a display motor bikes and modified
cars. A number of specialized car
modification companies will also be on
hand to provide visitors with a unique
opportunity to modify and/or renew
their cars; Bahrain Auto Fair 2018 will
also feature a test drive area dedicated to
our visitors to have a great opportunity
trying the wide variety of the exhibitors'
showcased cars on spot. In addition
BIC (Bahrain International Circuit) our
strategic partners, will be providing a
number of recreational activities for the
attendees such as Karting race track for
all audiences, beside exclusive offers for
Bahrain Auto Fair 2018 to sell Formula1
racing tickets and provide a platform for
exhibiting racing equipment for visitors.
A food court will also be available,
beside many other upcoming exclusive
activities that will be announced later.
Are there any new car models being
unveiled?
Definitely, new cars models
presented by the manufacturers will be
available for sale. Moreover, there will be
some cars models unveiled exclusively
at Bahrain Auto Fair 2018.
Who is your target audience?
As I mentioned earlier, we aimed
to make this event as an entertaining
event suitable for the whole family. So,
everyone is invited to attend and enjoy.
Car enthusiasts along with visitors of all
age categories are invited to come. We're
expecting that this event will attract
more than 40,000 visitors from all the
GCC countries to attend this huge multiactivity
event.
Cars are changing and so is the business
of selling them. What are the main
challenges and biggest opportunities
that automobile dealers are facing today?
I would say that the major challenge
for both automobile dealers and buyers
would be car financing. Since consumers
will always look for the best value for
their purchase and convenient deals
that are budget friendly, Bahrain Auto
Fair 2018 will be a great opportunity to
overcome such obstacles. The event will
have some great offers for car financing
beside the special rates offered by
the cars manufacturers for the event
visitors.
How do you think this Show will help
the automotive sector and how has it
increased customer engagement?
We aim through this event to
drive the investment forward in the
Kingdom of Bahrain, contributing to the
development of trade movement and
the auto industry as a whole. By further
revitalizing the economic activity,
services will improve in the Kingdom
as a result, in line with the goals set
out in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This
event will create huge exposure for all
participants and this will definitely lead
to an expansion of automobile trading
during the period of Bahrain Auto Fair
2018 and we expect that even in the
following period as an echo of the event.
How has what car owners and drivers
want today differed from five years ago?
Have you seen changes and if so in
what way?
Well, we are all aware of the rapid
technological development taking
place in all aspects of lifestyle, and the
automotive industry is not an exception.
Car owners and drivers are searching
for the latest advanced technological
features and specifications to make their
car driving experience smoother, easier,
more practical and interesting.
What would you like to convey to the
readers of bizbahrain for 2018?
We aim to make Bahrain Auto Fair
2018 a unique annual forum for all car
makers and car enthusiasts with a
variety of entertaining activities for
everyone. We'd like convey our thanks to
bizbahrain and its readers for supporting
the event.
January-February 2018
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