New Sharjah used cars market is bigger, better ...

The new purpose-built used car and automotive accessories market in Sharjah is the largest in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, according to a top official of its management body.
The total area allocated to the market - Souq Al Haraj - is around 10 million square feet. Of that, only three million has been developed. At the moment, the market capacity is 25,000 cars, and includes parking space that can accommodate 5,000 cars for visitors and special parking lots for main dealers.
"I believe the market is one of the largest in the world and for sure the largest in the Middle East, Africa and Asia," Abdalla Al Hadidi, manager of Souq Al Haraj told Khaleej Times during the official opening on Thursday.
The number of used car showrooms in Sharjah are almost double compared to Dubai's Awir used car market. Dubai market has only 220 showrooms. Dubai's 'Al Awir Used Car Complex' was opened in April 2000 with 130 car showrooms.
The new Sharjah market consists of 415 showrooms and 70 shops for automotive accessories and various shops and care services. The market replaces the old used car markets in Abu Shagara and Bu Daniq.
Car dealers in the new market are classified into main dealers who have more than 24 cars in their showrooms, and secondary dealers who have less than 24 cars displayed in their showrooms.
Located in Al Ruqa Al Hamra, Souq Al Haraj is strategically located off Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Dhaid Road, near the Sharjah International Airport. The new used car market is in the close proximity to the Sharjah-Ajman border, providing easy access to clients from all emirates.
abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com