Automechanika Dubai 2013 firmly set on continued growth path

Coming off a record-breaking edition in 2012, Automechanika Dubai looks set to better all previous marks going by early figures released by organiser Epoc Messe Frankfurt. This year's exhibition will extend across 10 halls at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibi-tion Centre, with the organiser eyeing a possible overflow into an eleventh hall to accommo-date ongoing demand.

Early booking trends indicate that Automechanika Dubai will be at least 15% larger than the previous edition, which featured 1,324 exhibitors from across the international spectrum.

Dubai is fast gaining in stature as an automotive trade and re-export hub for the wider Middle East region, thanks to its inherent geographical and logistical advantages. As a result, auto-motive aftermarket majors from around the world look to Automechanika Dubai as a key access point to an ever-widening market. Re-exports to countries in the GCC, Levant, Central and South Asia and North and East Africa form a significant part of the automotive aftermarket trade through Dubai.
"Automechanika Dubai's stature as the premier automotive aftermarket trade fair is largely due to its success as a catalyst for trade and further development of the regional industry," said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt. "By bringing together all the major players and industry influencers onto one platform, we enable easier trade links with hard-to-reach markets and also serve as a conduit bringing the latest international trends and developments into the region," he stated.

Keeping pace with the overall growth of the show, there has been a considerable surge in the number of UAE exhibitors signing up for Automechanika Dubai 2013, with 22% more local af-termarket companies set to take up over 31% more exhibition space than the previous edition.

International exhibitors will also be out in strength at Automechanika Dubai in June with the US Pavilion doubling in size over last year and country pavilion debuts from The Netherlands and Indonesia. Also in the fray for the first time are exhibitors from Macedonia, Malta and Armenia, underlining Automechanika Dubai's growing international stature.

Automechanika Dubai is part of 12 global Automechanika fairs organised by Messe Frankfurt across Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa. The past decade has seen the exhibition, which started off as a one-hall show that attracted just 119 exhibitors in 2003, transform into a region-encompassing comprehensive business platform.

Automechanika Dubai will showcase automotive components, accessories, garage equipment as well as refuelling and car washing equipment and machinery. The show is divided into 5 key sections, namely: Parts & Systems, Repair & Maintenance, Tyres & Batteries, Service Station & Car Wash and Accessories & Tuning.

Automechanika Dubai 2013 will also feature the Automechanika Academy, popular among regional industry professionals and trade visitors for its series of seminars and workshops by international and regional experts on key issues and challenges facing the automotive after-market industry.