The diversified automotive industry in the GCC and UAE, which is highly dependent on imports, creates a significant demand for the aftermarket industry, according to organisers of an auto trade fair.

Automechanika Middle East (AME) 2009 will be held from May 31 to June 2 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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, tyres, batteries and performance systems.

“The large presence of automobiles in the region creates significant demand for the aftermarket industry and augurs well for AME, the leading international trade fair for the automotive industry in the wider Middle East,” said Elisabeth Brehl, managing director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organisers of the trade fair.

Research stated by Auto Strategies International, show that 66 per cent of the total number of passenger cars in UAE are from Japan, while the European, Korean and American car brands stand at 14.71 per cent, 7.55 per cent and 3.63 per cent respectively.

“Reported research show that the Japanese automobiles dominate the GCC auto market with 60.98 per cent, while the rest of the pie was shared by Korean brands at 13.78 per cent, American brands at 10.15 per cent, and European brands at 8.20 per cent,” said Michael Dehn, senior show manager of the AME.

Dehn added: “With almost four million passenger cars in the GCC, out of which 1,287,442 are in UAE, this region offers car parts and accessories distributors, retailers and the aftermarket industry, in general, a huge opportunity to enter a market least affected by the current credit crunch.”

AME is the largest auto aftermarket exhibition in the Middle East, and the only exhibition incorporating the four major segments, i.e., parts and systems, accessories and tuning, repair and maintenance, and IT and management.

This year’s exhibition will also feature a new sector for tyres and batteries.

In 2008, AME featured over 950 exhibitors from 44 countries to a visitor attendance of more than 17,500 from 127 countries.

The trade fair covers full range of parts for motor vehi-cles, as well as components for the drive, chassis, body, electrics and electronic groups, equipment for vehicle service and repair, bodywork repair and painting, tyres, batteries, and performance systems.

AME is the perfect platform to meet new contacts, discuss new trends and technological developments, keep up to date with industry knowledge, and source new products and solutions from world over, said a statement. – TradeArabia News Service