Automotive parts and accessories manufacturers from around the world will target the GCC's parts and accessories market estimated at SR46 billion at Automechanika Middle East in 2008, the largest automotive aftermarket trade fair in the Middle East. The three-day exhibition starts on Sunday (today) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. The event is one of 12 Automechanika trade fairs organized across the globe by Messe Frankfurt. “Massive growth in automobile sales across the GCC is the main thrust for the boom in the Middle East aftermarket industry,” said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt in the Middle East, organizers of the trade fair. “It is estimated that about 65 percent of the auto parts and accessories that have been imported are re-exported to other countries. They are among the top 10 re-export products of Dubai, and have been growing annually by about 20 percent. The main destinations of these re-exports are Middle East, Africa and East Europe,” he said. The market for automobiles, automotive parts, accessories and components are a multi-billion dollar business in the Middle East. According to official industry estimates, there are six million vehicles in the region out of which it is stated that the UAE vehicle market is about 1.4 million vehicles and it grows annually, on average, by 10 percent. The main sources of the market supply are Japan, Europe and the US. “Automechanika Middle East has grown to become an ideal platform for the manufacturers & suppliers to target dealers & distributors in the Middle East & Africa, “ said Michael Dehn, senior show manager of Automechanika Middle East. “This year we are particularly encouraged by the interest from the local dealers & buyers towards Automechanika Middle East”, he added. Within the UAE, Dubai has taken the lead in the vehicle market, having 50 percent of the vehicles stock. The research further stated that it is estimated that out of the 150,000 four-wheel drive vehicles that are sold annually in the GCC countries, 70 percent is accounted for by UAE and Saudi Arabia. “This year as many as 950 exhibitors are participating from 45 countries and the figure represents an increase of 20 percent over that of last year,” said Dehn. “The lucrative UAE and GCC Automotive Industry has attracted the big industry players to showcase their products in the region. At Automechanika Middle East in 2008 there will be 16 country pavilions with exhibitors showcasing a wide range of auto parts and equipment from all over the world. While Japan, Germany and the US remain key players in the industry, countries such as Australia and Brazil are increasingly active around the Middle East, both in terms of supplying vehicles made in those countries and the associated spare parts industries.” A two-day industry specific conference, Automechanika Academy, runs alongside the exhibition. With the support of Dubai Ports and Custom, and the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA), the conference will feature more than 10 presentations, and interactive sessions. The topics reflect a variety of pivotal issues affecting this multi-billion dollar industry, such as, Mercedes-Benz brand protection activities in Middle East, natural gas vehicle conversion & fuelling stations, tuning business, and many more. Automechanika Middle East is the event for the rapidly developing automotive aftermarket in the wider Middle East and Africa. The event covers the full range of parts for motor vehicles, as well as components for the drive, chassis, body, electrics and electronic groups, equipment for vehicle service and repair, bodywork repair and painting, tires, batteries and performance systems. __
