Business & Money | Thursday 28 May, 2015 9:38 am |

- Top European manufacturers get ready for action at Middle East and Africa’s largest auto aftermarket trade show


- Italy and Germany will spearhead a record turnout of international exhibitors at Automechanika Dubai 2015, as the wider Middle East and Africa’s largest automotive aftermarket trade show gets ready for action next week.

Taking place from 2-4 June 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Automechanika Dubai will feature more than 1,800 exhibitors from 60 countries, with approximately 90 per cent coming from outside of the UAE.

According to organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, 1,322 exhibitors will be participating across 22 country pavilions this year, while exhibition space for international participation has increased by 11 per cent over the previous year.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “There is a sense of optimism that has long pervaded the rapidly-developing Middle East and African automotive aftermarket, and every year this confidence is reflected by the big number of international exhibitors at Automechanika Dubai.”

“The region is powering ahead as a leading market for auto parts and services, and top global companies are choosing to increase their impact by building on the considerable networking and business development opportunities generated at Automechanika Dubai.”
Bringing the reputed power, performance and precision of German engineering to Automechanika Dubai 2015 will be 89 exhibitors and 9 co-exhibitors at the German Pavilion, which spreads over 5,582sqm of exhibition space. German participation has increased by 14 per cent year-on-year, which covers pavilion and standalone exhibitors.

Showcasing the typical attributes of top German brands are leading manufacturers such as Alanko, Bizol, MS Motorservice, Mann Filter, Herth & Buss, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, and Wulf Gaertner Autoparts, which will showcase the latest technologies that power its MEYLE and MEYLE-HD brands.

Christian Schwarz, Sales Director for the Middle East at Wulf Gaertner, said: “The Middle East and African automotive aftermarket are two priority regions for our business, especially in the category of spare parts for trucks, which is steadily gaining in importance in this market. We view the Middle East, in particular Dubai, as an international hub for business with adjacent markets.”

Meanwhile, 73 of Italy's high-powered aftermarket majors will be on board the Italian Pavilion. Italian companies, including pavilion and standalone exhibitors are covering 2,830 sqm of exhibition space this year, an impressive 18 per cent increase over the previous year.

High quality products from a land famous for design and superb performance will be headlined by parts and components manufacturers such as Cospel, Dierre Group, FB Cardan, Mariel, Omcar, Sicit, and XXL Marmitte.

Turin-based Omcar will present its most recent product line of wheel hubs, wheel kits, bearings, belt tensioners and kits, joint crosses and tripods – some of which, according to CEO Giangranco Marino, can be used by 93 per cent of the world’s car fleet.

“The Middle East, where we have already been doing well, is a very important market for us,” said Marino. “With the potential for huge growth in the future, we are looking at a large number of useful interactions from our participation at Automechanika Dubai 2015.”

Other major country pavilions at Automechanika Dubai 2015 include Turkey (59 exhibitors) USA and UK (25 exhibitors each), and South Korea (76 exhibitors).

The complete line-up of pavilions include Australia, Brazil, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, Spain, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, and for the first time, Egypt.

Now in its 13th edition, Automechanika Dubai spans more than 66,000sqm of exhibition space, making it one of largest Automechanika fairs worldwide.

The dedicated annual showcase covers six core product sections of Parts & Components; Electronics & Systems; Accessories & Tuning; Repair & Maintenance; Tyres & Batteries; and Service Station & Car Wash, while more than 29,000 trade visitors are set to descend upon the must-attend event for the regional automotive aftermarket.

The latest developments in the regional commercial vehicle market will be the hot topic at Automechanika Academy’s Commercial Vehicles Conference on the 3rd June. Dubai Customs will also provide the always popular Dubai Auto-Parts Statistics Updates, keeping delegates in-tune with the latest trade figures that reflect the fast growing Dubai export and re-export market.