Preparations are in full swing for the highly anticipated Custom Show Emirates (CSE) 2015, which is set to become the biggest platform for a billion dollar aftermarket customisation industry.

Custom Show Emirates will feature the latest in auto customization products and services and will also serve as a platform to develop the regional motorsports industry and promote the significance of safe and legal vehicle modifications.

Several countries have full-fledged car modification industries, with the size of the U.S. aftermarket sector estimated at US$ 30 billion. Frost & Sullivan, estimated that the total consumption within the automotive aftermarket in the GCC countries reached as much as US $7.5 billion in 2012. Fostered primarily by fast growing SMEs and with consumption worth US $2.01 billion last year, the UAE was the second largest consumer market within the aftermarket in the GCC after Saudi Arabia.

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a premier automotive specialty products event in USA, that brings together more than 100,000 industry stakeholders from more than 100 countries annually, realises that the Middle East region, has immense untapped business opportunities in this sector.

‘’SEMA is excited to lead a delegation of top tier US manufacturers to participate in the first Custom Show Emirates. This is our 4th event in the UAE designed to bring together leading US brands with resellers from throughout the GCC and MENA countries’’, said Linda Spencer, Senior Director International and Government Affairs, SEMA, USA.

Custom Show Emirates has already confirmed participation from top local, regional and international tuning specialists and bespoke customisation service providers.

‘’We are proud and honoured to be part of the Custom Show Emirates. This is a great event where we get to meet a great number of motorcycle enthusiasts, showcase our latest products and give as much as we receive back to the riding community’’, said  Karim Kassoul, General Manager, Specialized Sports Equipment UAE.

The remarkable growth in the auto sector is largely driven by the region’s high national wealth, growing per-capita income and significant government investment on building social and economic infrastructure and buoyant private sector. In the UAE, sales of new vehicles rose by 16.7% in 2013, reflecting renewed economic confidence, according to Business Monitor International, which ranks the Middle East as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for automotive products with projected growth of 20% annually over the next five years.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) said: “The UAE is a highly attractive automotive market in the region and our car enthusiasts are eager to meet with tuning specialists to explore the latest trends in auto customization products and services. I am confident that CSE will continue its success in providing an ideal platform for them by bringing manufactures, suppliers and specialists under one roof.”

“At ADNEC, we have always recognised the importance of diversifying our event portfolio through building strong partnership with event organisers from multiple sectors which remains a crucial element of our long-term strategy. To support this goal, we are committed to continuous investment in the development of our venues and facilities towards meeting the requirements of various events as well as event organisers,” Al Dhaheri added.

Apart from being a comprehensive showcase of car and bike customizations, the show promises the best automotive entertainment that will feature action packed activities in a controlled and safe environment, which the whole family can visit and enjoy.

Activities such as drifting, circuit driving, stunt driving, bike parade, real-time customisation, bikers build-off, car audio competitions, RC Arena, Motorsports Hall, Performance Zone and much more will keep the adrenaline pumping for the visitors.

“Custom Show Emirates blends the best of both trade and consumer show elements. In order to ensure that the event not only serves as a commercial platform for the thriving industry, it also provides a host of top quality automotive entertainment that attract thousands of visitors to the show” said Saeed Al Marzooqui, CEO, Custom Events L.L.C, UAE, ‘’The only regional trade show that not only facilitates the industry but also brings true automotive aficionados to connect with top quality exhibitors and witness automotive entertainment like never before’’, he added.

Custom Show Emirates will run from 10 AM – 10 PM, 26 - 28 March 2015 at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Tickets are priced at 50 AED. For more information visit www.customshowemirates.com