Major automotive parts & service exhibition opens Sunday

This is reflected in the trippling in size for the region's premier aftermarket event, the second annual Automechanika Gulf exhibition set to open at Dubai's World Trade Centre on 23rd May.

After a highly successful debut in 2003, Michael Dehn, Project Manager Automechanika Gulf, predicts this years' show to be the hotspot for trade visitors who want to experience the most important brands and products in this sector. 'Over 300 international exhibitors, including global players such as AC Delco, Bosch, Dana and Goodyear, will showcase their latest products, trends and innovations across three massive exhibition halls,' said Dehn.

Of the 7,500 expected visitors at least 20% will represent the flourishing re-export trade underlining Dubai's position as the region's largest hub for the automotive trade within the Middle East as well as European and Asian markets.

Around 65 percent of imported auto goods (spare parts, accessories & equipment) are re-exported to Middle East countries, to Africa and the CIS. Category growth for the aftermarket is set at just under 20 percent per year. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman are amongst the most important trade partners. Eastern African states such as Kenya and Sudan have strong trade relations to Dubai.

The latest official figures indicate that a total number of 5,840,702 vehicles are on the road in the GCC countries. Of those, 1,367,858 vehicles are registered in the UAE with the figure growing at an annual rate of about 10 percent. The vehicles on the road in the Arabian Gulf are mainly Japanese (66 percent), followed by European with 23 percent, USA with 6.5 percent and 4.5 percent from other countries.

Dehn says, 'Parallel to the development of the automotive sector, the aftermarket takes a similar road in the Gulf States'.

'Iraq represents a potentially huge market for used cars, especially low priced German and American models. The knock on effect will seed massive demand for garage equipment, spare parts and accessories, thus fuelling an already substantial market opportunity.' Dehn added, 'New car sales are also picking up, at present with the biggest share in large SUV's.'

In addition to the exhibition, the show includes the Automechanika Academy, presenting a series of seminars and interactive discussions. The will feature active Automechanika partners such as the Automotive Brand Protection Coalition Middle East (ABPC, Dubai),who set out to eliminate the trade in counterfeit spare parts.

Adding to the credentials of the event, Automechanika enjoys the support and endorsement from various organisations including the American Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA, USA), ASA Federal Association of the Manufactures and Importers of Automobile Service Equipment (Germany), European Garage Equipment Association (EGEA, Belgium), National Association of Automobile Manufactures of South Africa (NAAMSA) , the Spanish Automotive Equipment and Components Manufacturers Association (SERNAUTO), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT, UK), and the German Federation for Motor Trades and Repairs (ZDK ).

The show will be opened for trade visitors only and features four main product categories:


• Spare parts & components: vehicle parts and components of the drive, chassis, body, electrics and electronics groups for automotive aftermarkets

• Accessories & tuning: vehicle accessories, special equipment, tuning, performance systems, design refinement

• Repair & automotive services: equipment for vehicle service and repair, bodywork repair and painting, garage building and management, refuelling and care, disposal and recycling

• Other aftermarket services and products