Patriotic Emiratis are being urged to enter the bidding for a unique 'ET11 HAD' number plate which is up for sale in the UK for a cool £975,000 (Dh4 million, $1.1 million).
A British entrepreneur, whose identity has not been disclosed, wants the plate to be purchased by a buyer who values the word Etihad.
Etihad means union in Arabic, and is also widely known as the name of Abu Dhabi's airline and the country's national rail project, as well as the stadium of English Premier League champions Manchester City.
The number plate is registered with the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
Stuart Matthewson, of luxury events and consulting firm, Superluxe, is representing the owner for the sale of the precious plate.
“My client is looking for a direct buyer and he is willing to accept a sensible offer,” said Mr Matthewson.
He said his client would like to sell to an Emirati who wants the registration plate for their own UK car, as a gift or as an investment.
“He wants the number registration to go to someone who values the word Etihad which mean union in Arabic,” said Mr Matthewson.
It would prove to a fitting — if somewhat expensive — purchase as the UAE gears up to celebrate its formation once again on December 2, its 51st National Day.
Anyone keen to make an offer can contact Mr Matthewson on stuart@superluxe.je.
Number plates garner huge interest among motoring enthusiasts in the UAE. In 2016, Indian businessman Balwinder Sahni paid Dh33 million ($8.9 million) for plate D5.
In April, Abu Dhabi's exclusive “2" car number plate sold for Dh23.3 million at a charity auction for a global free meals campaign.
A total of Dh111 million was raised for rare licence plates, as well as exclusive mobile phone numbers.
Proceeds from the Most Noble Numbers event went to the One Billion Meals initiative to provide food for people in need in 50 countries during Ramadan and beyond.
The RTA sold 100 plates and raised Dh36.5 million at a previous auction in December last year.
Plate Z 31 was sold for Dh2,820,000 and V10000 for Dh920,000 while W500 and O66666 each fetched Dh840,000.
Rare number plates go under the hammer - in pictures
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The Most Noble Numbers charity auction saw the most expensive vehicle plate number, number 2 from code 2, sold for Dh23.3 million. Victor Besa / The National -
Wednesday’s auction also saw Chinese real estate agent Hong Yang, 30, bid Dh1.7 million for plate number 999, code 2. Victor Besa / The National -
The auction's most expensive vehicle plate number, number 2 from code 2. Victor Besa / The National -
A total of Dh101 million was raised at the auction. Victor Besa / The National -
The auction was held at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Visitors take pictures of plate number 2 from code 2. Victor Besa / The National -
Other must-have licence numbers were also auctioned. Victor Besa / The National -
Double-digit plate number 20 with code 2 got a winning bid of Dh4.25 million. Victor Besa / The National -
A total of Dh101 million was raised at the One Billion Meals initiative. Victor Besa / The National -
Proceeds from the auction will go to a nationwide campaign to combat world hunger. Victor Besa / The National -
Paddle 101 won a number of mobile number auctions during the evening. Victor Besa / The National
