Dubai, UAE: The blockbuster 13th edition of Automechanika Dubai got underway today (2 June) larger than ever before, with 1,889 exhibitors from 59 countries contributing to a 17 per cent year-on-year growth in occupied exhibition space.
Running for three days at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Middle East and Africa’s largest automotive aftermarket trade and networking event was flagged off by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Spanning 15 halls with a 12 percent increase in exhibitor numbers, Automechanika Dubai's pattern of sustained double-digit growth is a prime indicator of the immense interest in the regional automotive aftermarket from leading international manufacturers and suppliers.
With 1,644 exhibitors coming from outside of the UAE, international participation has grown by 11 percent this year, with the three-day event featuring 22 country pavilions. Taking their cue from the surging global interest, 245 UAE-based exhibitors are also out in full force, 20 percent more than last year.
The impressive growth of Automechanika Dubai 2015 spans across all product sections this year; Parts & Components – the largest section – features 1,340 exhibitors, an increase of seven per cent year-on-year.
With 190 exhibitors, Tyres & Batteries has grown by 29 per cent; Repair & Maintenance and Service Station & Car Wash, with 109 exhibitors and 84 exhibitors respectively, have both grown by 23 per cent year-on-year; and Accessories & Tuning, with 166 exhibitors, has grown by 16 per cent.
Also enjoying spectacular growth is the Truck Competence area, which has recorded a massive 76 per cent jump in participation over the previous year, and features 891 exhibitors with truck spare parts, equipment and services within their product portfolio.
“The comprehensive across-the-board growth at Automechanika Dubai 2015 is driven by the immense pulling power of the Middle East and North Africa automotive aftermarket, where demand for auto parts and equipment is expected to reach US$16.85 billion by 2020,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Automechanika Dubai.
“The surge in participation by international aftermarket majors as well as local players is a testament to the effectiveness of Automechanika Dubai as a business development and networking catalyst that will accelerate business growth across the region.”
The optimism sparked by trends in the regional auto aftermarket and the continued growth of Automechanika Dubai is reflected by the show’s main supporters, including Headline Sponsor ENOC and Diamond Sponsor BKT.
“Automechanika Dubai offers a strong platform for us to showcase our diverse solutions and reach out to our target audience across the region,” said Mohammed Sadek, Director of ENOC Lubricants Marketing.
“Following the success of our presence at Automechanika Dubai 2013 and 2014, we are focusing on positioning ENOC as a leading UAE brand for the international market, as well as exploring new distributors internationally.”
Indian OHT (off highway tyre) manufacturer BKT is launching a series of OHTs for Earthmover, Port, Industrial, and Construction applications at Automechanika Dubai 2015, as it looks to target the region’s booming construction sector.
“The Middle East forms an important part of our business as it’s the hub of construction activities worldwide,” said Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director of BKT. “BKT is the only company offering Off-the-Road (OTR) radial tires from India and has witnessed constantly increasing customer confidence in our products following our participation at Automechanika Dubai.”
Meanwhile Silver Sponsor OWS Auto Spare parts, the Saudi-based remanufacturer of spare parts, announced at Automechanika Dubai the launch of a 2,000sqm remanufacturing plant for AC compressors in the UAE.
According to Oweis Zahran, General Manager of OWS, the new plant will have a daily output of 200 AC compressors, with a projected initial revenue to reach between AED 55-68 million in the first year. This is expected to triple by the second and third year of operations.
Other news on the opening day of Automechanika Dubai was the announcement of Automechanika Birmingham 2016 in the UK, the 15th instalment of Automechanika worldwide.
Set to take place at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in June 2016, the latest Automechanika is launched in partnership with Messe Frankfurt and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The launch of Automechanika in the UK is a tremendous vote of confidence in the British automotive industry, and a reflection of its global competitiveness.
“Automechanika Birmingham will help British companies promote their credentials and enable them to seize the opportunities arising from the renaissance in UK vehicle manufacturing.”
Automechanika Dubai 2015 has firmly established itself as the must-attend event for the regional automotive aftermarket, and is expected to attract more than 29,000 trade visitors from 130 countries over the next three days.
Taking place along the side-lines of the annual showpiece event is the Automechanika Academy’s Commercial Vehicles Conference on the 3rd June, where experts will discuss the latest developments and trends in the regional commercial vehicle industry. Dubai Customs will also provide the always popular Dubai Auto-Parts Statistics Updates, keeping the industry in-tune with the latest trade figures reflecting the fast growing Dubai export and re-export market.
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