UAE. Sales of commercial vehicles in the GCC countries showed significant growth last year, with the first three months of this year indicating similar positive signs.

The total number of GCC sales for trucks and buses over 4000 kg gross vehicle weight in 2010 stood at 58,025 units, an increase of 50 per cent from 2009 (38,590). Over the first three months of 2011, a total of 11,924 commercial vehicles were sold in the GCC, a steady four per cent increase over the same period in 2010 (11,433 units sold).

Though the figures – released by global motor trade data specialists, Auto Strategies International – are still well down on 2008, when 116,997 trucks and buses were sold in the GCC, indications are that an industry hit hard by the economic recession in 2009 is again gathering momentum.

This was further emphasised today with confirmation that Renault Trucks and IVECO have joined the line-up of exhibitors for the third edition of Commercial Vehicles Middle East, taking place from 6-8 March 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Renault Trucks, which uses a network of 19 dealerships, 25 service points and mobile workshops to cover 19 countries across the region, will have a prominent presence at the event with a large stand, as they look to launch the new Renault Trucks Sherpa.

“Commercial Vehicles Middle East is the only event of its kind in the GCC for us to present our brand and product range,” said Marco Bonaveglio, Head of Marketing at Renault Trucks.

“We have seen growth in the GCC in 2011 for of sales of heavy trucks in the 16 ton plus range. We look forward to showcasing our latest products, and to strengthen our position in the region.”

Commercial Vehicles Middle East is the region’s only event dedicated to commercial vehicles, parts and services, bringing together the largest annual gathering of transport, fleet and logistics decision makers from every sector of the road transport business. This is a major draw for Al Ghandi & Sons, the licensed distributor for IVECO in the UAE.

One of the heavyweights of the global transport world, IVECO, which has 74 dealers, 13 satellite locations and 139 sales points across the Middle East and North Africa region, will be launching new products from their stand on the front row of the show.

New features for the exhibition include the CVME Business Group, launched in June this year, when more than 100 representatives of leading industry players discussed key issues facing the commercial vehicles industry in the Middle East.

The region’s first ever business group of its kind hosts year round industry updates, workshops, seminars and networking events, with the next meeting to take place on 14 December at the Emirates Aviation College. The second meeting, an informal networking event held at The Towers Rotana Dubai, was attended by 120 industry professionals.

Exhibition organisers Streamline Marketing Group are looking to build on the success of this year’s Commercial Vehicles Middle East event, as the industry’s upswing continues to forge ahead.

“Commercial Vehicles Middle East 2011 grew 15 per cent with over 80 exhibiting companies meeting visitors from 55 countries,” said Nick Webb, Director of Streamline Marketing Group.

 “The industry continues to show positive signs of growth after the slump in 2009 and we are confident that next year’s event will reflect this optimism. We are in the final process of signing up several other major vehicle manufacturers, and are looking forward to another successful exhibition.”

       GCC Commercial Vehicles Sales (trucks and buses over 4,000kg gross vehicle weight)

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