The upward trend of commercial vehicles on GCC roads and corresponding demand for aftermarket parts and services is leading global manufacturers to stake the region out as a key growth market. Driven by continued investment in commercial, logistical and industrial infrastructure, demand for trucks and buses in the Gulf remains high. Analysts Frost & Sullivan (F&S) estimate that sales of commercial vehicles (CVs) in the region increased 13.4 percent yearly between 2009 and 2014, bringing the total of units in operation to 1.2 million. That number will rise to 1.8 million by 2020, which in turn will fuel demand for CV spare parts and accessories, the value of which is estimated to reach $5.49 billion by 2020, up from $3.38 billion in 2014, and representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent. According to F&S, maintenance and mechanical parts such as bulbs, filters, spark plugs, belts, brakes, pumps, alternators and thermostats make up nearly 71 percent of regional demand, while collision parts in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are also highly sought after. The good news is some of the world's largest aftermarket players that provide automotive replacement parts and services for trucks and buses are gearing up for next month's Automechanika Dubai trade show, which will take place on May 8-10, 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 900 of the three-day event's 2,000-plus exhibitors will be part of the Truck Competence initiative, covering the entire CV value chain, from parts and accessories, workshop equipment, body repair and care. "Truck Competence has enjoyed remarkable growth since it was first introduced at Automechanika Dubai in 2012, with exhibitor numbers having more than doubled over the past five years," said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Automechanika Dubai. "This underscores the increasing interest that exists in the wider Middle East CV aftermarket, which is particularly relevant within sectors such as vehicle fleet operations and maintenance, shipping companies, construction, freight or logistics, auto builders and specialist workshops." Automechanika Dubai 2016, the Middle East and Africa's largest trade exhibition for the automotive aftermarket, will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors from 60 countries, and is expected to attract 30,000-plus trade visitors from 134 countries. The 14th edition of the three-day event focuses on the six core product groups of Parts & Components; Electronics & Systems; Repair & Maintenance; Tyres & Batteries; Service Station & Car Wash; and Accessories & Tuning. Automechanika Dubai 2016 will also feature the Spare Parts and Maintenance Conference on the 9th May as a part of the Automechanika Academy. The Automechanika Academy is a regular feature bringing together international industry experts, relevant government authorities and key industry players to discuss the most pressing issues in the industry and analyze the changing trends in the market.
