Building the Future: 402 Automotive's Next Step in Qatar
In 2026, 402 Automotive celebrates its 30th anniversary. What began in 1996 with a strong passion for cars and events has developed over three decades into an international event company with an established position in the European automotive industry. Over the years, we have organised events not only in the Netherlands, but also in Belgium, Germany and France, building valuable international experience along the way. Our ambitions beyond Europe go back even further. In 2006, we were already active in Moscow — at the time, a remarkable and highly educational step beyond our established European market.
Since 2023, we have increasingly focused our attention on the Middle East. The region is developing rapidly, but it also requires clear choices and a long-term vision. We have therefore decided to concentrate our Middle Eastern activities primarily on Doha and Qatar. Doha has demonstrated that it offers modern infrastructure, international ambition and a growing automotive culture. We believe the combination of economic strength, high-quality venues, strong local partners and an audience with a genuine interest in exclusive and remarkable cars creates significant potential. We look back with great appreciation on the two editions we had the opportunity to organise at the Qatar National Convention Centre. We would like to thank QNCC for the hospitality and support we received while hosting our events there. We are equally grateful to our local partners, whose knowledge, commitment and trust played an important role in our first steps and experiences in Qatar. We are currently assembling a new local team to help us realise our ambitions for the coming years. Our approach is to combine thirty years of international event experience with the knowledge, relationships and cultural understanding of local professionals. We believe this collaboration is essential to building something sustainable and distinctive in Qatar. Lusail International Circuit represents an exciting next venue for us. This state-of-the-art complex offers not only an internationally renowned circuit, but also premium hospitality facilities and professional pit garages. It allows us to create a special experience for visitors and automotive enthusiasts while offering valuable opportunities for commercial partners. The hospitality areas and pit-lane environment provide an excellent setting for product presentations, brand activations, corporate receptions and new B2B partnerships.
At the same time, the foundation of the event remains what we have been doing successfully for thirty years: bringing car owners and enthusiasts together. At Lusail, our ambition is to create a major gathering where exceptional cars, clubs, collectors, brands and fans from Qatar and the wider region can meet. It will be a place not only to admire cars, but also to share passion, stories and experiences. Our strength has always been that we do not simply organise events for the automotive community — we create them together with the community. This is the approach we want to develop further in Qatar. With a new local team, the international possibilities offered by Lusail and the energy of Qatar’s automotive scene, we see considerable potential for a new and sustainable chapter. After thirty years of creating automotive events, Doha does not feel like an isolated international venture. It feels like the natural next stage in the development of 402 Automotive.
