THE heavyweight champions of the transport world are flexing their muscles at Dubai Autodrome this week, an awesome lineup of on-road and off-road giants, fire engines, luxury buses, ambulances, armoured cash-in-transit vehicles, escape-proof prisoner carriers, and VIPS’ bullet-proof limousines.
More than 60 exhibitors are taking part. They include the world’s leading manufacturers and their Middle East agents and distributors, showcasing everything from trucks and buses to trailers and the muscular attachments needed by Dubai’s booming construction, transportation and logistics industries.
Participants included Belhasa Motors, Renault, Al Ghanim & Sons, Tata Motors, Higer King-long, Al Futtaim Motors, Mammut, Bison, Iran Khodro, Gulfcoen, Voith Turbo, Caterpillar, Al Dobowi, Wah Fai, Ocean City, Shac, Naffco, Supertech, Al Ghandi, Gulf Oil, Al Nabooda Automobiles, Eicher, and many other international brands.
The UAE’s Mammut Industries is showing a series of trailers designed to carry everything from rocks, sand, and gravel to automobiles or even fresh produce.
From China, the SHAC lineup of heavy-duty trucks is being shown by UAE agent Al Ghanim Sons Group.
Italian company Basco specialises in buses and represents the Van Hool brand from Belgium and Turkey’s BMC.
Dubai’s Belhasa Motors is introducing the Jiangling Isuzu Motor Company’s all-new range of carrying trucks, in a host of variants from dumpers to insulated box trucks and reefers.
Al Futtaim Motors is the sole distributor of Hino Trucks and Toyota Industrial Equipment in the UAE and is presenting a comprehensive range of commercial vehicles and forklift trucks.
Bison Trailers, a new UAE trailer manufacturer is promoting flatbeds, tippers, fridge trailers, and box trails produced at its Jebel Ali works.
The China Motor Corporation is also supplying freezer/refrigerator trucks as well as panel vans and pick-ups.
From India, Eicher Motors is showing its expertise in trucks from 3-40 ton payloads, and buses of 12-62 passenger capacity.
Gulf Engineering has a series of tippers, semi-trailers, and tankers, while Iran Khodro Diesel has a comprehensive range of heavy trucks, buses, and minibuses.
The UAE’s Naffco specialises in fire-fighting vehicles, as well as ambulances, police command units, and city cleaning machines.
Mounted lift cranes and rough terrain cranes are among the offerings from Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar of Sharjah, while Streit Security Vehicles of Ras Al Khaimah is showing locally-manufactured armoured personnel carriers and cash-in-transit vechicles.
Tata Motors of India is the world’s second largest heavy bus manufacturer and fifth biggest heavy-truck producer. Tata buses and trucks are already prominent in the UAE and the Middle East as a whole and the company is now looking to grow its market even further.
Cement tankers, fuel tankers, and similar special purpose applications are presented by Wah Fai Transportation of Hong Kong.
Middle East Commercial Vehicles runs until Thursday is open daily from 3:30-9:00 pm and free shuttle buses will ferry visitors between the Autodrome and Ras Al Khor, Jebel Ali, Barsha, Ghusais, and the Sharjah Industrial Area.
The show is organised by Zenith Events and is supported by Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Civil Aviation, Al Awir Free Zone and the UAE Contractors Association.
“With Dubai undergoing such phenomenal expansion, the demand for commercial vehicles has never been greater,” said Kavita Dabrai, project manager at Zenith.
“The time was right for a show such as this as we can see by the fantastic response from exhibitors – and from users who want to see the latest models from around the world.
“This is the first opportunity our region has had to see the best the world has to offer in specialised commercial vehicles for every purpose – all gathered on one convenient site in a strategically-located and accessible destination.”
