Nov. 3--JEDDAH -- Saudi Arabia's 31st International event for Motor Vehicles and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) labeled as sims'09, which ended here over the weekend, has given a new hope to industry in general and the automobile sector in particular. Some exhibitors and visitors interviewed said they were pleasantly surprised by the turnout of visitors that touched the 100,000 mark over the annual exhibition's five-day run. "We were keeping our fingers crossed at the outcome of the show due to the possible impact of the world economic slowdown, but the buoyancy and resilience of the Saudi economy and the strong purchasing power of the citizens have provided a bright outlook for the new year," a top automobile executive said. "We are also satisfied with our participation as our reports suggest that there have been transactions running into several million riyals," he said speaking on behalf of the exhibitors.

The launch of some new 2010 car models marked the event, which had the participation of local importers and dealers of Nissan (Alhamrani United Company), Ford and Lincoln (Al-Jazirah Vehicles Agency), Kia (Al-Jabr Automotive), Hyundai (Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors), Subaru, (Alyemni Motors Company), Malaysian made Proton Vehicles (Al-Rashed & Al-Thunayan Auto Co.), Suzuki (Suzuki Saudia), Chinese Dong Feng Sino Truck (Al-Rassam Trading Group), Chinese King long Buses (National Trade Co.), and many others.

The new models unveiled at the show included Ford Taurus and Ford Mustang, Nissan Maxima and 370 Z, Suzuki Celerio, Kia Sorento, and Subaru Legacy.

"I was amazed by the all-new full size 3-row luxury crossover, the Lincoln MKT," said Abdullah Marzouki, a student of King Abdul Aziz University. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, a businessman, said he was very much impressed by the latest Maxima displayed at the vast Nissan stand. "It looks an amazing car. The Nissan 370 Z was equally attractive," he added.

Zahoor Siddique, exhibitions director at Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd., which organized the annual show, said the event, which entered its fourth decade, was a "resounding success."

Exhibitors also included the Jeddah Traffic Department, the National Commercial Bank, which sponsored the event, and car accessory manufacturers. The sims'10 will return next year, from Dec. 26-30.

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Copyright (c) 2009, Arab News, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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