H.E. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri inaugurates Automechanika Middle East exhibition

The event is running at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from today to 3rd June, 2008.

It provides the industry with a highly competitive, dynamic and tech-savvy environment to conduct business. The event is one of 12 Automechanika trade fairs organized across the globe by Messe Frankfurt.

Accompanied by Mr. Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizers of Automechanika Middle East, H.E. Sultan bin Saeed 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 Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

'This growth is reflected by Automechanika Middle East in 2008 which grew 24% this year with 950 exhibitors participating from 45 countries,' said Mr. 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 Dhs46bn 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 Mr. 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%. 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, Mr. 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 Mr. Dehn.

Mr. Dehn added, 'The lucrative UAE and GCC Automotive Industry have attracted the big industry players to showcase their products in the region. Whilst Japan, Germany and the USA 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 value addition for trade visitors and participating exhibitors is the industry specific conference, Automechanika Academy, which will run alongside the exhibition, on 1st and 2nd June.

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 and 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, tyres, batteries and performance systems.