RTA to hold 6 distinguished number plate auctions in 2010

The Licensing Agency at Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai is planning to organize 6 distinguished number plate auctions for vehicles and motorbikes this year with a view to increasing chances for the public to have the numbers they want as well as meeting the requirement of those who wish to acquire many of these numbers.

Mohammed Abdul Kareem Nimat, Director of Vehicle Licensing Dep’t at RTA Licensing Agency, said, “The 6 auctions, expected to be held this year at the rate of one auction every two months, are meant to complement the previous rounds of this RTA initiated scheme, which avails many people the opportunity of acquiring distinguished number plates (as per order). Another feature is the inclusion of motorbike distinguished number plates in every vehicle number plate auction to be held this year.

He added: 

“The high level of interest shown by bidders to have the auctions held at close intervals prompted those in charge of the distinguished number plate auctions to increase the frequency of such auctions during this year so that we can provide the largest number of distinguished plates for bidders to select their preferred vehicle or motorbike distinguished number plates.”

He pointed out that 2009 witnessed the organization of five vehicle distinguished number plate auctions and one motorbike number plate auction with the total proceeds of the five auctions accounting for Dhs48,346,000, topped by the number plate I-44 which was sold for Dhs2,300,000. The three-digit numbers were topped by the number G-111, which was sold for Dhs2,520,000, and in the four-digit group the number G-1111 was the sales topper fetching a price of Dhs1,100,000, and the five-digit number G-99999 was sold for Dhs700,000. Motorbikes were allocated 15 number plates with the number plate 88888 topping the list recording a selling price of Dhs102,000.

He pointed out that the five auctions comprised six categories, namely I, E, F, H, G and D with category F having the greatest series of digits which were offered to bidders during 2009, followed by the code H.

Mohammed Abdul Kareem further explained that there were many factors that contributed to the success of the auctions in so far as the operational and logistical aspects are concerned such as the provision of all resources to promote the Auction and vehicle number plates and the organized and successful marketing of the Auction following several methods and ways targeting all segments of the community. 

He added, “The auction had also received considerable support from the official media. An integrated working team was established to attend to the requirements of the Auction in a proper manner. The official announcement of the Auction was released over 15 days in advance together with the ahead-of-schedule arrangements relating to auction venue to assist in coordinating accompanying operational measures.” 

He concluded that the opening of four registration points (Deira Traffic, the Main Customer Service Center at RTA building, Al Mazhar Centers, Auction Auditorium for registration on auction day) assisted in making the 2009 auctions an outstanding success.

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