It is the Holy Month of Ramadan and the hot summer sun sizzles the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with temperatures north of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Saudis are fasting and looking forward to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. Both young and older Saudi car enthusiasts indulge a little less in their car hobbies and auto tuning because outdoor activities while fasting causes thirst in the hot climate. Instead of going to evening car shows, the faithful celebrate Iftar (breaking of fast) with their families and friends.
After Ramadan and celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, young and older Saudi auto enthusiasts start to get their cars ready for automotive meets (car shows) to show off their creations. Very few people in the West know about the fervor of car collecting and car tuning among Saudis. If it was not for Saudi license plates on cars and men wearing ghutrah (keffyiah) or classic Saudi clothing, one may mistake a Saudi car meet for an Auto Show in California, Nevada or Arizona. The Saudi show cars are extraordinary with exotic paint finishes, fantastic rims and boy kits straight of the Fast and Furious movie series! Most of the auto body lit designs, paint schemes, rim designs and engine tuning are Saudi inspired or Saudi manufactured.
As someone who has been to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas for over 20 years, we think there will be many automotive innovations from the Saudi aftermarket and Saudi automotive enthusiasts. The car shows in Saudi Arabia will produce engineers, designers and craftsmen to rival those from countries like the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan and Great Britain. Saudi inspired automotive designs and engineering will soon be in an auto showroom near you.
