Photo: Emirates Auction
This weekend, what is arguably the poshest vehicle license plate on the planet was sold in the United Arab Emirates for a staggering 18 million dirhams during an auction that took place at the Al Jawaher Hall, in Sharjah, a UAE state.
For those not proficient in the coin used in the Emirates, Dh18 million is the equivalent of around $4,9 million, which makes the “1” plate considerably more expensive that just about any car that its new owner will choose to put it on.
Speaking of which, during the exclusive auction, the license plate was fitted to a Pagani Huayra that “only” costs around $2 million, depending on how unique you ask Mr. Horacio to make it for you.
“With 1340 bidders, this auction is considered the biggest in UAE in terms of the number of bidders,” said Abdulla Matar Al Mannai, Executive Director, Emirates Auction, so we can easily say that it was a full house.
An Emirati business person by the name of Arif Ahmad Al Zarouni made the winning bid for the “1” license plate after a rather intense bidding war in the final stages of the auction. “I attended the license plate auction only to win Number 1. My ambition is always to be number 1. I have no plan to win other numbers.” he so eloquently commented.
Mr. Al Zarouni also mentioned that the plate in question was the only reason he attended the auction in the first place and that he has no plans to sell it in the future since it will be for personal use only. It's not entirely clear what lucky car will get to wear the “1” plate in Sharjah from now on, but we guess that it won't wear a Toyota badge.
No less than 60 rare and expensive license plates were sold during the auction, with the total amount of money generated revolving around Dh50 million, or approximately $13,6 million. Before you jump to conclusions and comment about starving children in Africa, we should probably also note that all the money raised from auctions like this are being given to charity.
Speaking of which, during the exclusive auction, the license plate was fitted to a Pagani Huayra that “only” costs around $2 million, depending on how unique you ask Mr. Horacio to make it for you.
“With 1340 bidders, this auction is considered the biggest in UAE in terms of the number of bidders,” said Abdulla Matar Al Mannai, Executive Director, Emirates Auction, so we can easily say that it was a full house.
An Emirati business person by the name of Arif Ahmad Al Zarouni made the winning bid for the “1” license plate after a rather intense bidding war in the final stages of the auction. “I attended the license plate auction only to win Number 1. My ambition is always to be number 1. I have no plan to win other numbers.” he so eloquently commented.
Mr. Al Zarouni also mentioned that the plate in question was the only reason he attended the auction in the first place and that he has no plans to sell it in the future since it will be for personal use only. It's not entirely clear what lucky car will get to wear the “1” plate in Sharjah from now on, but we guess that it won't wear a Toyota badge.
No less than 60 rare and expensive license plates were sold during the auction, with the total amount of money generated revolving around Dh50 million, or approximately $13,6 million. Before you jump to conclusions and comment about starving children in Africa, we should probably also note that all the money raised from auctions like this are being given to charity.
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