Global auto aftermarket players continue to sign up to Automechanika Dubai 2017, which is being hosted in May, amid optimism over buoyancy in Middle East vehicle sales and spare parts demand.
While macroeconomic factors negatively impacted vehicle sales in 2016, analysts Frost & Sullivan have predicted renewed growth from 2017 onwards and for sales to grow by 9% annually to reach 4.4 million by 2020, bringing the total number of vehicles in operation to 44.5 million.
The demand for automotive aftermarket products and services in the Middle East is also on an upward curve, with revenue from engine and vehicle components, systems, tyres and auto accessories expected to grow by 5.9% annually to reach $17.3bn by 2020.
At the show, more than 2,000 exhibitors from 55 countries will showcase their products to trade buyers and decision makers from throughout the Middle East, Africa and further afield.
Meritor, the world’s largest independent manufacturer of axles for the heavy duty industry, is returning to Automechanika Dubai 2017 for the third straight year. The Fortune 500 Company views the Middle East and African automotive aftermarket as one of its key growth markets.
Stefan Kaltenbach, MD for Meritor in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “We want to grow in the region, as we see great potential of cooperation with parts distributors and potential fleets.”
“Spare parts demand for buses and coaches continues to grow across the region, for which we have exciting new solutions that customers in Europe and also in the Middle East trust in.”
UAE-based Al Dobowi, a player at the forefront of tyre and battery industry, is among the 200-plus exhibitors at Automechanika Dubai’s tyres and batteries section.
Surender Kandhari, the Chairman of Al Dobowi Group, noted: “Automechanika Dubai has been a good platform for networking ever since we participated in its very first edition.
“It has now grown significantly as showcased by its various versions in other cities. The Dubai exhibition has driven annual increase of exhibitors and visitors alike giving us opportunity to engage with industry partners and peers mostly from Middle East, Africa and Asia.”
According to Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Automechanika Dubai’s organiser, the show is already one of the world’s top five international trade fairs for the automotive aftermarket, and hosts a diverse mixture of visitors, 51% of them from outside the UAE.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt ME, added: “It’s an important stage to open dialogue with existing contacts, plan business strategies year-on-year and for automotive aftermarket stakeholders to bring technical awareness to the market – something we’re looking to build on in coming years.”