Abu Dhabi Witnesses Sale of the World’s Third Most Expensive Car Number

A car number was sold in Abu Dhabi for AED 17 million, making it the third most expensive car number globally. According to Abu Dhabi Police, the vehicle plate "7 Abu Dhabi" was sold at an auction last Saturday evening for AED 17 million, achieving a world record and ranking third among the most expensive plates worldwide.

Abu Dhabi holds the record for the world’s two most expensive car plates: the first, plate "1 Abu Dhabi," was sold in 2008 for AED 52.2 million, and the second, "5 Abu Dhabi," fetched AED 25 million.

Brigadier Salem Ali Al Shamsi, Director of the Privatization and Resource Development Department at Abu Dhabi Police, said on Sunday, "The police organized the 20th auction for distinctive car numbers, during which 72 distinctive numbers were sold for AED 50 million, marking a record financial return."

The auction witnessed intense competition among bidders to acquire two-digit, three-digit, four-digit, and five-digit numbers, particularly the single-digit number "7," which sold for AED 17 million, securing a strong position among the world’s most expensive car plates. The police did not disclose the buyer’s name or nationality.

Al Shamsi added, "Among the notable numbers sold at the auction were number '60,' which fetched AED 6.15 million, number '333,' sold for AED 860,000, and number '7777,' which went for AED 1 million."

He continued, "There is significant interest and competition in the distinctive number auctions in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating that they attract new bidders and achieve steadily growing revenues."

He further noted, "Among the plates that achieved record figures was the two-digit number '66,' sold for AED 7 million, making it the second most expensive two-digit plate after number '11,' which was sold for AED 8 million in a previous Abu Dhabi auction. Additionally, number '60000' was sold for AED 1.51 million, number '66666' for AED 3 million, and number '10000' for AED 1 million."

For his part, Abdullah Al Mannaei, Executive Director of Emirates Auction, pointed out a 25% increase in participant numbers at car number auctions compared to previous events, along with heightened competition among bidders to acquire the plates. This created an atmosphere of genuine excitement that participants engaged with, resulting in some plates achieving record figures. He noted that the sale of distinctive car numbers in the UAE is not limited to auctions but also extends to an online platform launched over a year ago.

The Guinness World Records lists Emirati businessman Saeed Khouri as the owner of the world’s most expensive plate, having purchased "1 Abu Dhabi" for AED 52.2 million.

Distinctive car numbers are a profitable trade in the UAE, with many young people eager to purchase them as a source of pride and distinction. Many later resell them to achieve greater returns.

This article is translated and not the original content.