Saudi Gazette

SAUDIS and expatriates got the chance to visit a ‘very-much like’ motor stores, see modified cars and experience different type of adventures all in one location. All of these opportunities were offered by the 2017 Saudi International Motor Show (SIMS) which was organized at the Jeddah Center for Forums and Events last Sunday for five consecutive days.

Outside the main hall, an open area was devoted for youth who came with their own modified motors and car-inspired art pieces. Mahmoud Shaheen displayed his art pieces, which he makes from recycled broken car parts. Shaheen turns the recycled materials into home accessories with a sporty twist.

He said that he started this hobby a year and half ago as he used to have many broken car parts in his car repair store. Slowly he saw the pieces’ utility and what began as a hobby became a work with business value. He decided to turn his hobby into a business and today he sells sports home accessories for amounts between SR100 and SR1,000. “Car fans and people looking for distinguished and exotic pieces are keen to buy recycled car parts,” said Shaheen.

Next to Shaheen were a group of youth who decided to take a new adventure with old Honda cars. Turki Zaki, the leader of Honda Primo SA, said, “They launched their group in 2010, “We started here from Jeddah then a group joined us from Madinah and Makkah. We also have some members from Riyadh and the Eastern Province.”

Zaki and his team have one shared passion, which is to modify old and different Honda car models and use them in races and motor shows. “Up till now we do not have any sponsor. We go on our own expenses to different cities and join races and shows.”

Asked why they chose Honda, he said, “Because it is a powerful Japanese motor, has a light weight, its spare parts are available, and on top of that driving it has its own passion that only Honda lovers will grasp.”

The modifications on motors, said Zaki, might cost anything between SR50,000 and SR100,000 and it includes accessories and engines. Yet they cannot use these cars on city streets. “If we are to participate in an event we need to rent a car-haul truck for SR1,500. Otherwise we keep our cars at home to avoid any traffic violation.”

Zaki now has 12 modified cars and hopes that as passionate car modifying fans they would get a chance to practice their hobby as an officially recognized sport in the Kingdom.

On the left side of the road Nissan was offering a chance to the public to try adventure ride either in a small race car or by getting into one of Nisan large cars capable of climbing and descending artificial hills.

On entering the main hall of the event, the public were able to experience the design, style and capabilities of various models and see the inside of different brands that are newly introduced into the market. Women where also seen sitting on the driver’s seat to test the feeling of control. Toyota also offered women a chance to test drive at a private location at the event.

The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) too participated by having its booth at the entrance of the main hall. It introduced manufacturers and visitors to its services in the field of standards issuance, measurements, accreditation, conformity of goods and products with standard specifications through workshops.

Saudi Arabia’s 39th international event for motor vehicles, SUVs, motorcycles and car accessories show offered automotive enthusiasts and visitors exclusive regional and local models from 40 global brands. Some 40 motor brands participated in the motor show. Countries participating include US, Europe, China, France, UK, Japan and Korea.