Road to convenience: MPs want car showrooms under one roof

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Car showrooms should not remain scattered.

They should be grouped together in one place. This would save buyers time while offering investors a clearer picture of the market.

A proposal heading to parliament for approval this Tuesday aims to achieve this.

MP Basma Mubarak and four others behind the proposal are calling on the government to allocate land for a dedicated zone that would house both used car showrooms and dealership outlets.

They argue this would make it easier for buyers to compare vehicles and help investors better gauge demand.

"Putting all the showrooms in one area would let buyers weigh up options without wasting hours in traffic and give investors a clearer understanding of what people are actually looking for when it comes to transport," Ms Mubarak said. "If the government backs it, the sector could start attracting investment with greater confidence."

The Public Utilities and Environment Committee agreed. Every member present supported the proposal and recommended it proceed, saying it would benefit both consumers and businesses.

Reaction from the municipal councils was mixed.

The Capital Municipality Council raised no objection, provided the site is limited to used car dealers. It said the move would help organise the trade and simplify management.

The Muharraq Municipal Council highlighted the absence of a specific location and questioned whether current showrooms would be relocated or simply open branches in the new zone.

The Northern Municipal Council rejected the idea altogether, arguing it lacked purpose and required further study.

The Southern Municipal Council approved the proposal on the condition that the land is not within its jurisdiction. Councillors there said the plan could attract outside investment and spare buyers unnecessary trips across town.