Dubai - An Indian businessman has paid $9-million at an auction to grab a single-digit car registration plate in Dubai, feeding a passion for "unique" number plates.
Balwinder Sahani, who owns a Dubai-based property management company, spent AED 33-million or the equivalent of $9-million on the "D5" number plate, in an auction organised by the road authority, Gulf News daily reported on Sunday (October 9).
Beat over 300 bidders
Sahani said: "I have collected 10 number plates so far and I am looking forward to having more. It's a passion. This number will go to one of my Rolls-Royces."
The daily said more than 300 bidders participated Saturday (October 8) in the auction which is organised every two months. 80 special numbers were on offer.
Auctions for "unique" car plates have become a fashion in the glitzy United Arab Emirates with auction organisers frequently netting millions of dollars.
#BalwinderSahani #IndianBusinessman #Duba https://t.co/1lRwdViMXW pic.twitter.com/TYmULvQGoQ
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 10, 2016