In a recent report, research firm and Knowledge Partner of Automechanika Dubai, Frost & Sullivan, estimated that the total consumption within the automotive aftermarket in the GCC countries reached as much as SAR 28.1 billion (US $7.5 billion) in 2012. With consumption worth SAR 14.1 billion (US $3.7 billion) last year, Saudi Arabia was the largest consumer market within the aftermarket in the GCC.*
“Thanks to its superior transport and logistics infrastructure, the region serves as a key import and trans-shipment hub for the aftermarket trade that reaches across the wider hinterland in the MENA region, Iran and Central Asia, South Asia and Eastern Africa,” Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organiser of Automechanika Dubai, the region’s largest trade platform for the automotive aftermarket, said.
“Automechanika Dubai will highlight the vast potential of the regional market that is still untapped and showcase new trade and business development opportunities that exist for key industrial players,” Pauwels added.
According to the Frost & Sullivan report, Parts and Accessories make up the lion’s share of the consumption, totaling SR 16.9 billion (US $4.51 billion). Tyres and Inner Tubes were the next most significant category of the aftermarket consumption, being worth SR 5.58 billion (US $1.49 billion) in 2012. Lubricants and Batteries made up the next biggest sectors, at SR 3 million (US $816 million) and SAR 2.68 (US $715) million respectively last year.
Going forward, the aftermarket is expected to maintain a healthy rate of growth, with Frost & Sullivan estimating that Parts and Accessories, Lubricants and Batteries would grow at a CAGR of around 13% between 2012 and 2017, while consumption of Tyres and Inner tubes would keep pace with a CAGR of 12% over the same period.**
“Automechanika Dubai is a very significant part of our business development strategy in the Middle East thanks to its wide footprint in the region. We expect favourable results from our participation this year,” Jean-Michel Selles, Managing Director of KYB Middle East, said.
“We have been a part of Automechanika Dubai for quite a while now and have seen the exhibition grow into a notable international event. The regional automotive aftermarket trade will benefit from such an authentic parts exhibition,” Nantha Kumar, Senior Division Manager of Dynatrade, said
With more than 1,324 exhibitors and 20,715 trade visitors in 2012, Automechanika Dubai serves as a vital trading link to markets difficult to reach. The trade fair is widely reputed as a great platform to learn more about new products find new suppliers and compare product alternatives. Automechanika Dubai spotlights the latest products and solutions in the fields of parts, systems, tuning, workshop equipment, bodywork & paintwork, car wash, IT & management and the latest automobile services.
Automechanika Dubai 2013 will be held from June 11 to 13, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.