Dubai: Number plate DD5 sells for Dh35 million in bidding war; special mobile number gets Dh1.7 million
'This is the legend, this is the man,' said the host before confirming the number had been sold.
The sale came at the end of a fierce bidding war where one of the youngest bidders in the hall, 13-year-old Abdulkader Walid Asaad, was in the running to buy the plate. Even though he could not beat the top bid, Abdulkader became the proud owner of another number plate during the evening, DD24, which was sold for Dh6.3 million.
The annual auction held during the holy month of Ramadan to raise money for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) saw a packed hall of collectors vying to get their hands on 25 lots of distinguished mobile numbers and vehicle number plates at the Armani Dubai hotel in Burj Khalifa. The evening managed to raise a total of Dh83,677,000.
Proceeds of the auction will go towards supporting the Fathers' Endowment campaign, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in honour of fathers in the UAE. The drive will establish a sustainable endowment fund to provide treatment and healthcare for the poor and needy.
In 2023, the same event saw one bidder set a world record by snapping up the number P7 at Dh55 million, which is still believed to be one of the most expensive number plates ever sold in the world.
Other numbers
The number plate DD77, which was one of five number plates up for grabs during the evening, was sold for Dh12.6 million while DD12 sold for Dh12.8 million. DD15 was sold for Dh9.2 million.
Attended by entrepreneurs as well as philanthropists, the auction saw fierce bidding as participants raced to support the aims of the Fathers' Endowment campaign. Operating under the MBRGI's umbrella, the campaign honours fathers by allowing individuals to donate in their name, in an effort to promote the values of honouring parents, compassion and solidarity.
Held in collaboration with by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Etisalat by e&, Du and Emirates Auction, the event also saw the mobile number 058444444 being sold for Dh1.7 milion. It became the most expensive phone number sold during the evening. A total of 10 numbers each of Etisalat and du were sold during the night. During the course of the auctions, RTA plate numbers earned Dh75.9 million, while Dh4.732 million was collected by selling Etisalat UAE mobile numbers and Dh3.045 million from du mobile numbers.
Apart from the physical auction in Dubai, the Most Noble Number online charity auction continues to attract bids. Organized by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), which operates under the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, it features 444 special plate numbers and will close on March 16 and 17. These numbers include vehicle plate numbers 10 (plate code 20) and 99 (plate code 2); motorcycle plate number 5 (plate code 1); as well as several special plate numbers for classic cars.
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