Dubai int'l motor show kicks off with 139 regional premieres

The Dubai International Motor Show 2015 kicked off on Tuesday with global luxury car makers showcasing the latest premium cars.

This year's 13th edition of the biennial Dubai motor show in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showcases more than 173 new global, regional and concept launches, among them 139 regional premieres from over 150 exhibitors.

Jaguar and Land Rover caught the limelight on day one with stunt vehicles Jaguar C-X75, Range Rover Sport SVR and Land Rover Defender, which all made their Middle East debut.

Other regional newcomers are the new Porsche 911 Carrera "which will be available in the Gulf Arab region in March 2016," Porsche Middle East sales director Peter Vogel told Xinhua.

Vogel said the new Porsche 911 Carrera features advanced flat engines into turbocharged units with a boost in power along with significantly improved fuel economy.

The automotive sector across the Arab Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, is expected to reach 1.88 million in sales by the end of this year, representing a full year growth rate of 5.6 percent over last year, according to the Dubai motor show organizer, the Dubai World Trade Center.

The UAE auto sales increased by 13 percent in 2014, while the growth rate in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe was 4.6 percent, eight percent and 1.4 percent respectively.

German car market Mercedes-Benz showcases this year four new models to the region -- the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman, the G500 4x4², the Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet and the Mercedes-AMG 63 Class Coupé.

The five-day Dubai International Motor Show 2015 takes place in the Dubai World Trade Center's exhibition halls. Endit