Automechanika, the leading international automotive trade show brand, has announced its expansion to Saudi Arabia, as it looks to boost direct access to one of the world's most lucrative countries for the automotive aftermarket. Automechanika Jeddah will take place on Jan. 26-28, 2016 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events, with its inaugural edition set to welcome more than 125 exhibitors from over 20 countries. The three-day event is organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East in partnership with Saudi-based Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), and is the 15th instalment of Automechanika globally. Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the UAE-based subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt Group, is also the organiser of Automechanika Dubai, the wider Middle East and Africa's largest automotive aftermarket trade exhibition. Automechanika Jeddah will be Messe Frankfurt's first trade show to take place in the Middle East region outside of the UAE, further emphasizing the importance of Saudi Arabia's automotive industry which, according to government sources, imported 1,006,248 cars, commercial vehicles, and trucks valued at $20.9 billion in 2013. “With 7.1 million passenger vehicles on its roads, Saudi is poised to become the manufacturing hub of the Middle East's automotive industry,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East. “Demand for spare parts is also on the rise, valued at $3.8 billion in 2013 and growing at 7.7 per cent annually over the next five years to reach US$5.5 billion by 2020. Automechanika Jeddah presents an important new platform for the automotive aftermarket industry to tap into this exciting growth market. “It also represents a major milestone for Messe Frankfurt Middle East, marking our first foray into another Middle East country outside of the UAE, adding to our portfolio of what is now nine trade exhibitions serving the Middle East and Africa region.” Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, said: “From a geostrategic perspective, the Gulf states are one of the Messe Frankfurt Group's key markets. Saudi Arabia's high purchasing power and the projected growth in the automotive and supplier sectors offer substantial potential for an international trade fair like Automechanika.” “We are delighted to have the opportunity to join forces with ACE Exhibitions, which is the leading organiser in Saudi Arabia with over 500 successful events in the kingdom to its credit.” Essam Mojalid, Deputy Chairman of ACE Group, added: “ACE Exhibitions' extensive industry experience and knowledge of the Saudi Arabian market combined with the global recognition of the Automechanika brand means we can build a powerful synergy that will take the Kingdom's booming automotive industry to a whole new level. “Automechanika Jeddah will provide exhibitors with direct access to the new frontier of the Middle East's automotive aftermarket, where thousands of key decision makers will source the latest products and innovations. — SG
