The leading multinational players looking to expand their footprint in Africa through their presence at Automechanika Dubai 2015 on 2-4 June at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
Taking place from 2-4 June 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the 13th edition, Automechanika Dubai is one of the fastestgrowing auto aftermarket exhibitions in the world, covering six focus areas of Parts & Components; Electronics & Systems; Accessories & Tuning; Repair & Maintenance; Tyres & Batteries; and Service Station & Car Wash
The dedicated annual showcase in 2015 will be hosting more than 1,800 exhibitors from over 60 countries and 22 country pavilions including those from Germany, Turkey, Taiwan, Italy, UK, and the USA, while more than 30,000 trade visitors are set to descend upon the must-attend event for the regional auto aftermarket. Rapid urbanisation and surging growth in new transport infrastructure is transforming the face of surface transport in Africa, placing the continent on the fast track to becoming one of the world’s most significant markets for vehicles and auto parts.
Investment of US$30 billion into developing road and rail systems is expected to boost inter-regional trade and travel across Africa, which currently has 21.6 million passenger vehicles, according to global analysts Frost & Sullivan. Additionally, demand for auto parts in the continent (excluding South Africa) is expected to grow 11 per cent annually to reach US$15.3 billion by 2020, making it a high value prize for global automotive aftermarket leaders. Many of these will be formulating their African outreach strategies around their presence at Automechanika Dubai 2015, the leading international automotive aftermarket trade platform serving the Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia.
“More than 2,700 trade buyers from Africa visited Automechanika Dubai 2014 and we expect a double digit growth of this number for 2015,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of Automechanika Dubai. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “One of the key drivers of Automechanika Dubai’s growth is that it presents an unmatched platform for the world’s leading automotive aftermarket suppliers and manufacturers to establish long-lasting business relationships with buyers and distributors from some of the fastest growing markets in the world.
“Crucially, it offers indirect access to regional markets such as those in Africa and Iran that offer huge business potential but are hard to reach. Buyers can find out more about new products, find new sup-pliers and compare product alternatives. The show has truly established itself as an international trade fair of global acclaim.” Added Pauwels: “The 21 million vehicles already on MENA roads give an indication of the tremendous market potentialthat exists for global suppliers of auto components, vehicle service and repair, bodywork repair, painting, tyres, batteries and performance systems.” “Automechanika Dubai’s comprehensive reach into transcontinental markets is what has made the show a mustattend for the international automotive aftermarket community
“Being at Automechanika Dubai enables international majors to do business in markets that are otherwise hard to access. African markets are growing rapidly and we are witnessing a rising number of leading aftermarket brands beginning to engage with them,” Pauwels added. According to Frost & Sullivan, around 54 per cent (5.78 million) of the cars in sub-Saharan Africa are over 16 years old, underlining the huge potential that exists for component replacements for this ageing fleet. Meanwhile, just four countries: Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco account for 65 per cent of all vehicles on the continent’s roads and 69 per cent consumption of parts
While American and European automakers are the most popular in North Africa, Japanese and Korean makes dominate West and sub-Saharan African markets. There is also a marked increase in the presence of brands from emerging countries such as China and India as global players increasingly target this fast-growing continent. Returning is the highly-popular Automechanika Academy – a series of seminars and workshops given by leading experts and prominent industry figures. These seminars will focus on key issues that affect the automotive aftermarket. The global appeal of Automechanika Dubai 2015 will be reinforced with the presence of 22 official country pavilions and 37 international trade associations, while nearly 90 per cent of exhibitors will come from outside of the UAE
As the Middle East and Africa’s largest trade fair for the automotive aftermarket gets set for another successful show, it promises new connections, leading trends and valuable industry intelligence to all those who visit. From car, truck and bus parts to equipment, components, accessories, tools, and services; the world’s most renowned international manufacturers, suppliers and service providers will be there. Automechanika Dubai shows profile: Automechanika Dubai is the largest trade exhibition for the rapidly developing automotive aftermarket in the wider Midd le East and Africa region.
In 2014, it featured 1,696 exhibitors from 59 countries, with a trade visitor attendance of 28,709 from 130 countries. The trade fair covers the full range of parts for motor vehicles as well as components for the drive, chassis, body, electrics and electronic groups. It also covers equipment for vehicle service and repair, bodywork repair and painting, tyres, batteries and performance systems. Automechanika Dubai is the perfect platform to meet new contacts, discuss new trends and technological developments, and to keep up to date with industry knowledge and source new products and solutions from the world over.