The Middle East’s leading automotive aftermarket opened today in Dubai with the participation of major players in the industry.

The Automechanika Middle East exhibition, inaugurated by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, will run at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, till June 3.

The event is one of the 12 Automechanika trade fairs organized across the globe by Messe Frankfurt.

Accompanied by Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, Al Mansouri toured the exhibition site, and noted that “The exhibition has definitely established itself as the most important event for the industry in this part of the world.”

“The automotive aftermarket industry is experiencing a growth phase that is boosted by the entry of new brands and models, obligatory environmental standards being implemented globally, growth in the number of passenger cars, introduction of new and refined electronic car components, and of course the maintenance and upkeep of old vehicles,” said Pruy.

“This growth is reflected by Automechanika Middle East in 2008 which grew 24 per cent this year with 950 exhibitors participating from 45 countries,” said Pruy. “There will be 16 country pavilions with exhibitors showcasing a wide range of auto parts and equipment from all over the world.” 

International manufacturers of automotive parts and accessories will target the GCC’s parts and accessories market estimated at Dh46 billion at Automechanika Middle East in 2008. “Massive growth in automobile sales across the GCC is the main thrust for the boom in the Middle East aftermarket industry,” noted Pruy.

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 per cent. The main sources of the market supply are Japan, Europe and the US.

Michael Dehn, senior show manager of Automechanika Middle East, said: “The  market for parts, components and accessories has been growing phenomenally. Electrical and mechanical components contribute a mega share of this business however, fuel injectors and brake parts in mechanical components segment, and batteries in electrical components segment are also registering strong growth globally.”

While analyzing the market further, Dehn remarked that the market for mechanical products, electrical products, exterior and structural products, motor oil, fluids and additives, and appearance chemicals was also growing.

“Automechanika Middle East has grown to become an ideal platform for the manufacturers and suppliers to target dealers and distributors in the Middle East and Africa, ” said Dehn. – TradeArabia News Service