Abu Dhabi plans exclusive number plate auction

RECORD BREAKER: Talal Khouri, pictured, made history earlier this year when he bought the most expensive car number plate in the world. (AFP)

Abu Dhabi police on Monday announced the date for the next auction of exclusive number plates, an event that is becoming increasingly popular after an Emirati smashed the world record for the most expensive number plate earlier this year.

The fifth lot of "distinguished" number plates will go under the hammer on January 12 at the Emirates Palace hotel, and will include sought-after numbers such as 11111, 40000, 990, 9900 and 656, state news agency Wam reported.

A total of 100 numbers will be up for auction, including 32 two digit numbers, 34 four digit numbers and 34 five digit numbers, according to Wam.

Proceeds from the auction will be used for the rehabilitation of road accidents victims and for people with special needs.

The auction is being organised by the Emirates Auction Company and Abu Dhabi police.

In May Talal Khouri made history when he bought the most expensive car number plate in the world, number five, for 25.2 million dirhams at an Abu Dhabi auction.

Last month at a similar auction 25-years old Saeed Al-Khouri paid 8 million dirhams ($2.18 million) for the number 11.

Print | Email | Discuss this article |

READERS' COMMENTS

View all comments (1)

Have your say

Abu Dhabi plans exclusive number plate auction
Posted by Jihad Jaljouli, Jordan on Tuesday 25 December 2007 at 21:33 UAE time

The "Exclusive Number Plates Auction" in UAE is unfortunately a continuing trend which is dangerous not from the angle of "wasted money" because the money eventually goes into government's pockets. What is more alarming is that it encourages a trend of "petty thinking" among the people. This trend in thinking leads the people to associate high value with trivial matters and could propagate into the way people think of where to invest their money.
Moreover, exclusivity is a harmful trend in societal relations among the people and it becomes even more harmful if it is not kept discreet such as in car number plates that roam all over the country. Discreet exclusivity such as going to exclusive restaurants and hotels and living in exclusive quarters may be tolerated but demonstrating exclusivity to the public is another story.

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Security Code *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM